• Pray for a young man in Delta Company at Woodward Academy.  Pray that God will give him wisdom in leading his peers.
• Pray for another young man at Delta whose going to be a dad, pray for the health of his unborn child and safety for the mother.
• Pray for the parents/guardians of these young men at Delta Company and all of the kids that we serve.
• Several of the youth have asked for prayers for their families during this time of sepration. Pray for peace and restored relationships.
• Pray for those who have pending court appearances this week. Pray for godly wisdom for the judges that would have the greatest long term benefit for the youth.
• Pray of thanksgiving for the young woman, who prayed that her dad would come and see her. He showed up in person after being absent for 5 months.
• Pray for the implementation of our Second Chance Juvenile Mentoring Initiative.
• Pray for wisdom for Bernie and Shane as they hire case managers for the program.
• Pray for God to raise up mentors for our Children of Promise mentoring program and for people to sign up for the next training.

First we praise God for the needs at the Polk County Youth Services’ Detention Center being met.  A huge thanks to West Des Moines United Methodist Church!

Christmas:

Polk County Youth Transitional Shelter:

• Gift cards from K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart are especially helpful for us to shop for specific needs
• 20 hand held games (1 for each youth)
• 10 models and non-toxic glue (for boy gifts)
• 20 bath sets—soap/lotion etc. (boys as well as girls really like these)
• 10 games (we have the old standbys, so it’s fun to get some of the newer games)
• 10 craft kits
• 20 lip balm (stocking stuffers)
• 20 decks of cards (stocking stuffers)
• 20 flannel pj bottoms, 20 fleece tops, 20 hoodies, slippers, robes
• 20 personal water bottles, 20 plastic soap boxes, 20 journals
• Candy for stockings
• Toys (for younger youth)
• Radios: plug in.   CD players: plug in.

Video sport or education games for youth as a group, rated E (Everyone)

• Koosh balls, nerf balls
• Jewelry, soft slipper socks (girls), slippers (boys and girls)
• Large duffle bags or suitcases

Youth Homes of Mid-America:

• 15 $20 Wal-Mart Gift Cards
• 15 $5 McDonalds Gift Cards

Christmas (and Year Round) Needs:

• Personal Care Items(regular size): soap, shampoo, conditioner, non-aerosol deodorant, shaving gel, toothpaste, dual or triple-blade razors, hair ties (plain and colored packets), cologne (boys and girls), body wash, plastic soap boxes, net puffs for the shower, body lotion, manicure/pedicure supplies, bath sets, hairbrushes, ***hair products and brushes for African American youth. 

Craft/Art Supplies: coloring books, fuzzy posters to color, sketch books, colored pencils, crayons, markers, glue, glitter, drawing paper, construction paper, etc.

Clothing Items (adult sizes): socks, plain T-shirts, female bikini underwear (sizes 5 to 10), male underwear (colored boxers only – sizes 30 & up), bras (various sizes), scarves, gloves, hats, sweatshirts and sweatpants (plain-no writing, M, L, XL, XXL), fleece tops (NO hoodies), men’s and women’s belts, pajamas, slippers, robes, swimsuits – all for male and female. The kids go swimming at the YMCA every Friday night all year.  We always need swim suits!

Recreational Equipment:  Legos, board games(especially newer brands), Scene It Jr., Scene It Disney, Scene It (sports version), dominoes, UNO cards, card games i.e. Phase 10 and Skip Bo, model cars (to put together and then paint—a big hit), Matchbox cars, small room/personal-size nerf basketball hoop set, finger boards (toy), koosh balls, word-search books, Sudoku puzzle books, puzzles (including 3-D puzzles).

Miscellaneous: No expiration date, pre-paid phone cards for youths whose families are not in the 515 area code. We like to keep them on the wing so they’re available to those who need them. Journals – all kids are encouraged to journal so it’s also an on-going need.  Please do not wrap gifts. The staff looks at everything in order to make appropriate selections for the kids.  Gift bags are appreciated!

Note: It’s very helpful to us if you leave the price tags on so we can account for the donation.

Questions?  Call Mary Tomlinson (515-286-3344) for more information.

View Larger Map

This training is free, dinner and training materials will be provided. Those interested in attending can contact Shane Vander Hart at (515) 321-5077 or email him using the form below.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Better yet, if you’d would like to attend this training live. Friendship Baptst Center (1526 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy in Des Moines) will be hosting their Understanding Poverty Conference on Friday, November 20th from 6:00p-8:30pm.  So if you are interested in learning more about poverty and how to best minister to those impacted by poverty you can RSVP at jonjamison@hotmail.com or (515) 244-1701

You can watch the video of the training below or download it to your computer.

Brooke Bouma, morning anchor of “Today In Iowa” at WHO-TV 13, served as the master of ceremonies. SOY Executive Director, Bernie Van Roekel, shared an overview of our programs and our goals for the future. The invocation was delivered by Pastor Jack Mithelman. Paul Gratton entertained the audience by sharing his musical talent. SOY mentor Mike Conlon shared some of his mentoring experiences and how he has been blessed through his relationship with his mentee. Our featured speaker for the evening was Dr. Brian Brown, Director of the Drake Relays. Brian inspired us by sharing his faith, how numerous individuals were mentors in his life, and how important these mentors were in shaping and impacting his life. SOY’s first executive director and current board member, Jim Koopman, shared  information relating to how SOY originated and how our partnership with Polk County Youth Services began. The banquet concluded with a benediction delivered by SOY staff member Shane Vander Hart.

The evening was a great venue to share the impact of SOY’s mission and to share the message of how each of us has skills that can make a difference in the lives of children. We are grateful and humbled by your generosity with a net contribution of $22,791 to support our effort of providing resources and relationships where God’s hope and healing are shared.

We thank all of you who attended, contributed to the event, and donated items to the silent  auction. A special thank you is extended to the following underwriters of the cost of the banquet:

• Community State Bank
• Marion County Bank
• Pella Engraving Company
• Schiebout Tire – Pella, IA
• Vermeer Charitable Foundation
• Van Zant Auto Body Enterprises
• Mike and Deb Conlon
• Ken and Jane Ferguson
• Greg and Judy Gear
• Evelyn Libby
• Jim and Jan Koopman
• Bernie and Marcia Van Roekel
• Ken and Gloria Van Zee
• Pete and Carol Verhey
• Ken and Carolyn Wassenaar

We also would like to thank those who hosted a table, without table hosts inviting their friends and family this banquet would not have happened.

• Shane & Cheryl Vander Hart
• Bernie & Marcia Van Roekel
• Jim & Jan Koopman
• Evelyn Libby
• Dan & Linda Vander Hart
• Joyce & John Lutz
• Ken & Jane Ferguson
• Dennis DeGroote
• Daryl & Suellen Vanderwilt
• Lois Vermeer
• Greg & Becky Abbott
• Susan Sorgenfrey & Katie Kisling
• Mary Tomlinson
• Kathy Howey
• Steve & Mary Quiner
• Grace Butler
• Paul Gratton
• Chad & Heidi Quist
• Rich & Elaine Thomson
• Gloria Van Zee/Norma Nikkel
• Mike Conlon
• Scott & Tami Vander Hart
• Greg & Judy Gear
• Kathy Wade
• Donna Vander Hart & Craig Quick
• Art Smith
• Harold Grandia
• Jack Mithelman

I can’t stand the pain of living with all this regret.  I’ve tried almost everything in the book, but still I can’t forget.

It’s hard just getting up each day and remembering the look on my dad’s face as I got sent away.

My dad had tears, clear and dull flowing down his cheeks.  My father and I never got along well, but that’s the past and this is now.

Everything’s going great, now the question is will the Lord still let me in his giant gates, but I he will because the good Lord doesn’t hate.

This young man may have a strained relationship with his earthly father, but he found the unconditional love of his heavenly Father that can be found in Jesus Christ.  Through Christ’s death and resurrection can young men and women, like the one who wrote this poem, realize that God will let them “in his giant gates.”

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:4-6).

That’s the hope that these kids ultimately need to hear.

The case manager project duties include the following: assistance with mentor recruitment, monitoring mentor matches, supervising transition groups that meet, provide curriculum for mentors to use with mentees in the program, along with the mentors provide case management in the areas of transitional goals, assessment of needs, services rendered, educational and career exploration needs/goals in order to direct to proper community resources.  They will also lead 1-2 participant transition groups, as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree (preferably in related social services field)
• Fluent in Spanish (ESL is acceptable with demonstrated written/verbal proficiency)
• 3-5 years of experience in the youth development or human services field is preferred (will consider significant volunteer experience)
• Possess exemplary organizational skills
• Basic Computer Knowledge (MS Office, Outlook, Email, Data Entry)
• Must work well with adolescents
• Must pass all background checks

This position provides a competitive salary, a supportive team working environment, flexible hours, paid holidays, and vacation.

Those interested in applying may email a resume & cover letter to Shane Vander Hart, Director of Ministries & Volunteer Development, at shanev@serveouryouth.org.  You may call him with questions at (515) 321-5077.

Serve Our Youth Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The case manager project duties include the following: assistance with mentor recruitment, monitoring mentor matches, supervising transition groups that meet, provide curriculum for mentors to use with mentees in the program, along with the mentors provide case management in the areas of transitional goals, assessment of needs, services rendered, educational and career exploration needs/goals in order to direct to proper community resources.  They will also lead 1-2 participant transition groups, as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree (preferably in related social services field)
• 3-5 years of experience in the youth development or human services field is preferred (will consider significant volunteer experience)
• Possess exemplary organizational skills
• Basic Computer Knowledge (MS Office, Outlook, Email, Data Entry)
• Must work well with adolescents
• Must pass all background checks

This position provides a competitive salary, a supportive team working environment, flexible hours, paid holidays, and vacation.

Those interested in applying may email a resume & cover letter to Shane Vander Hart, Director of Ministries & Volunteer Development, at shanev@serveouryouth.org.  You may call him with questions at (515) 321-5077.

Serve Our Youth Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This free training will be held on Tuesday, October 20th (6:30p-8:30p) at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center at 1548 Hull Ave. in Des Moines.

Our trainer will be Mindy Jamison who is the co-director of the Friendship Baptist Center.  Mindy has over a decade of experience working with the urban poor.  You can RSVP by contacting Shane Vander Hart at (515) 321-5077 or by sending him an email using the form below.

cforms contact form by delicious:days