Provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. Services include:

Reception and Placement: Meeting critical needs in the early months after arriving in the United States. IRC staff and community partners ensure newly arrived refugees are greeted at the airport, have a furnished home, receive time-limited rental assistance, have access to nutritious food, healthcare and education, and are given appropriate social services referrals.

Employment Services: Early self-sufficiency through employment is the foundation of the US Refugee Program. IRC staff and volunteers provide job readiness training, vocational counseling, resume preparation, job search and placement services, and financial assistance for basic needs with the goal of helping refugees find their first job in America. Employment services are provided to refugees for up to five years from their date of arrival.

Intensive Case Management: Some refugees face barriers that make rapid employment difficult. Others face cultural barriers that require additional training and orientation support to learn to navigate American systems independently. Still others face crisis after an initial period of stability. For those refugees, IRC provides intensive case management services for up to five years after arrival.

Financial Coaching: Financial Coaching at IRC offers new Americans and other vulnerable populations an opportunity to build their financial knowledge, skills, and assets. Through a combination of one-on-one coaching and financial education classes, IRC delivers innovative, effective programs by combining evidence-based strategies with an unparalleled ability to deliver culturally and linguistically accessible programs. As a result of these programs, people are able to build their family income and assets, contributing to the economic vibrancy of communities across America.

Can also offer youth tutoring and mentoring for those in the community that need a little extra help.

Provides the opportunity for the mentor (Big) to visit their Little in the child's school, after school program, or at another youth-serving agency. This allows for the mentor to meet in a more structured environment than out in the community, usually for about an hour per week.

Offers support to women dealing with life-dominating challenges. Assistance also extends to women in prisons, substance abuse recovery centers, and homeless shelters, with the goal of helping them to prepare for successful societal reentry.

Program provides workshops by women who have overcome challenges and are graduates of the program, group and one-on-one mentoring, and an annual retreat.

Long term residential placement for youth 10-18 years of age. Outpatient substance abuse treatment and therapy services available for youth placed in the long-term residential program.

Behavioral health services for youth 5-18 years of age depending on the program or service.

Volunteer mentoring program for 3rd through 12th grade in math or reading skills.

Family preservation services in Iowa and Nebraska.

Educational programs for professionals working with youth.

Provides the opportunity for the mentor (Big) to visit their Little in the child's school, after school program, or at another youth-serving agency. This allows for the mentor to meet in a more structured environment than out in the community, usually for about an hour per week.

Provides a mentoring program that matches youth from the Clayton Ridge School District with an adult who has similar interests. The adult supports the youth by sharing time and experiences of interest to them.

Provides trained volunteer mentors to at-risk children in need of a positive adult role model, by working in partnership with the children, their families and the community. Programs include:

ONE-ON-ONE PROGRAM: matches a volunteer mentor with a Child in Need of Assistance or through a referral from our local school districts. Mentor Iowa works directly with the Department of Human Services (DHHS), Juvenile Court Services and local school districts who identify children who could benefit from having a mentor.

EARLY SERVICES PROJECT (ESP) -Working with Juvenile Court Services, Orchard Place Child Guidance Center, and the Des Moines Public School District, Mentor Iowa provides mentoring services to children, ages 4 - 11, who have committed a minor delinquent act.

TRANSITION PROGRAM - A collaboration with JCS, Des Moines Public School District and Sequel Care. Mentor Iowa provides mentoring services to teens, ages 14 and up, who are reentering the community after an out of home placement due to a crime they committed.

TRUANCY COURT - A collaboration with Truancy Court, Des Moines Public Schools and the Polk County Attorney's office. Mentor Iowa volunteers are matched with referred middle school students who have a history of truancy.

GIRL POWER - a program for females between the ages of 11 through 16. Girl Power is designed to provide a forum for young women to interact with each other and discuss areas of common concern. Issues addressed include: career exploration, substance use and abuse, gangs and violence and sexuality and healthy decision making. The mentors of these young women are encouraged to participate in the Girl Power program.

Provides free and confidential services. Services offered include pregnancy testing, pregnancy counseling, limited ultrasound, on-going pregnancy support, referrals for community support services, support after an abortion, Earn While You Learn Program, fatherhood mentoring programs, and Mother's/Maternity Home.

Links homeless families with a social worker and a church-based "neighboring group" which actively participates in the family's life, has monthly activities with the family, a monthly Bridge of Hope night, and makes weekly phone calls. Commitment to the support is for up to two years.

Church-based mentoring groups are made up of volunteers from local churches and then matched to the mothers in the Bridge to Hope program.

Mentors model appropriate behavior, provide guidance and skill building, and offer an opportunity to motivate their mentee through interest exploration and social interaction.

Community-based mentoring matches a child with an adult volunteer in a community-based relationship.

School-based mentoring is incorporated into the school structure and meets during lunch/recess at the child's school. School-based matches are able to participate in BBBS sponsored and other community activities, but are not required to do so.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley provides age appropriate activity enhancements through our community partners that help grow the relationship and strengthen the development of the child. Enhancements involving elementary children and their mentors explore literacy, community service, health and wellness, financial literacy, and STEAM. Enhancements involving middle and high school youth and their mentors explore careers, post-secondary education, financial literacy, leadership, social and mental health, and community service.

Matches youth ages 5-12 with caring, positive, committed, adult role models. The youth (Little) and mentor (Big) meet in the community 2-4 times per month for a minimum of 4 hours and spend time exploring activities they already enjoy and trying some new ones.

Long term residential placement for youth 10-18 years of age. Outpatient substance abuse treatment and therapy services available for youth placed in the long-term residential program.

Behavioral health services for youth 5-18 years of age depending on the program or service.

Volunteer mentoring program for 3rd through 12th grade in math or reading skills.

Family preservation services in Iowa and Nebraska.

Educational programs for professionals working with youth.

Character and leadership development. Programs include aquatics, arts, sports, fitness and recreation, health and life skills, educational and career development, job training, career preparation, tutoring services, and age appropriate community service.

Outdoor activities, including Carter Lake Summer Camp (Mon-Fri 8 am-4 pm).

Meals served. Limited bus service - call for details.

Intensive support to high-risk children in foster care to stabilize placements and prevent entry into higher levels of care. Services offered include:

-- Brief individual and family counseling.

-- Placement stabilization services.

-- Crisis intervention.

-- Community linkage.

-- Foster parent support.

-- School intervention and tutoring.

-- Court advocacy.

-- Mentoring services.

-- Enrichment activities.