Provides programs and training for youth, including:

- Life skills training

- Peer mentorship

- Career readiness

- Tutoring and after school programs

- Dance and step programs

- Sports camp

Provides one-on-one and group mentorships to students ages 8-18. Program includes volunteers becoming mentors, advocates, and role models for community youth.

Carpenter's Place has a wide range of volunteer opportunities; some have interaction with homeless guests, others do not. Opportunities may include providing mentoring, transportation, and life skills training for the residents in the Permanent Supportive Housing program or providing mentoring, tutoring, life skills training, transportation, mock interviews, etc. for Transitional Housing residents.

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.

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.

Boxing gym with a mentorship and violence prevention program, with the goal of helping increase school graduation rates.

Programming teaches non-combative de-escalation, how to properly exercise and diet for a healthy lifestyle, and how to process and release emotions or stress in a positive manner.

Members are given strategic exercises individually and in a group, in both a classroom and gym setting.

Volunteers (Bigs) are matched with children, teen, and young adult mentees ("Littles") in communities across McHenry County based on their interests, skill sets, experience and any other pertinent information. The matches are then provided with support and guidance from professional match support staff.

The matches spend anywhere from 4 to 8 hours per month together, and a 12 month commitment is required.

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 to facilitate contacts between community seniors and children in order to help create necessary social relationships and support systems for those in need.

Offers educational, social, cultural, and recreational opportunities for families including mentoring, community meal, and summer food program.

Offers a before and after school program. Services provide children individual and group tutoring, as well as mentoring services to decrease school suspensions and to address the mental health and academic needs. Children are given a snack and provided with homework assistance, life skills, and recreational activities.

Provides help to children to reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.

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.

Services for individuals with disabilities. Includes information and referral, service coordination, independent living skills training, individual and system advocacy, equipment loan and rental, barrier removal consultations and grants, and disability awareness training. Assists people with disabilities to transition from nursing homes to community based living. Offers a personal assistant referral and management program. Peer mentoring. Mobility options equipment repair and sales.

Serves children ages 7-21 by matching them with a caring, positive adult role model. The child and mentor meet in the community and spend time doing different activities they both enjoy and/or interact on any video conferencing platform that is not observable by BBBS. The participants commit to meeting for a minimum of 4 hours in 2-4 outings per month for a minimum of 12 months. Mentors can be a Big Brother, Big Sister, or a Big Couple. (Married couple or 2 individuals in a committed relationship for 3 or more years who currently live together.)

The following programs are part of the Community Based Mentoring program and serve a specific population of children:

- Juvenile Justice - Youth in this program have had some contact with the juvenile justice system (delinquency court appearance, parole intake or actual arrest) and can benefit from a friend and role model who helps guide them as they work towards making better choices.

- Mentoring Children of Prisoners - The children in this program have one or both parents currently incarcerated. Bigs in this program can help just by being their friend and giving stability to that youth.

- Latino Mentoring - Children in this program have Latino heritage and may have Spanish speaking parents, and may prefer a Spanish speaking mentor. These matches are supported by bilingual Big Brothers Big Sisters' staff members.

- Foster Care - Youth in foster care placements have interpersonal, developmental challenges and are vulnerable as they transition into adulthood. These youth can benefit from a friend and role model who helps guide them as they work towards making healthy choices.

- LGBTQ+ - One-to-one mentoring can help LGBTQ+ youth confront challenges and promote positive personal and educational outcomes.

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.