Provides screened and trained volunteer mentors to high school youth enrolled in an academic enrichment class intended to keep students on track for graduation and success. The objective is to help high school students develop personal, academic, and career skills.

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 Big and Little commit to meeting for a minimum of 4 hours in 2-4 outings per month for a minimum of twelve 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+ - The agency recognizes the unique challenges facing the youth of the LGBTQ community. 1-to-1 mentoring can help LGBTQ+ youth confront these challenges and promote positive personal and educational outcomes.

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

Provides inpatient mental health services to children and adolescents who have failed outpatient mental wellbeing services and cannot maintain safety in the community.

Offers professionally supported, one-on-one relationships with adult mentors. Mentors and mentees are matched by similar interests. Monthly activities and community service projects are planned for mentoring pairs to participate in. Mentors spend an average of 1 hour per week for a minimum of one year with their mentee.

Provides community and school based mentoring for a young person with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement, and a positive role model. This program seeks potential mentor adult volunteers that have time and interest in investing in one student about an hour a week to build a relationship to provide encouragement and support.

Adults interested in becoming a mentor should send an email with their request.

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.

The PALS program pairs Luther College students with area elementary and middle-school students to provide one-on-one relationships between the student volunteers and children ages 5 to 15 who would like or need companionship. Children with special needs are matched first (i.e. disabilities, single parent households). The volunteers meet with their child at least once each month and a group recreational activity is scheduled monthly.

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.

Mentoring program includes skills mastery, character building, and fun, plus individualized attention from trained adults who serve as role models.

Mentoring programs for children grades K-6.

The North Fayette Valley Mentoring Program (NFV) matches students in the North Fayette Valley Community School District with an adult mentor. The program seeks to provide youth with positive adult role models and reduce drug and alcohol use among youth through the development of a relationship with a caring adult. Adult mentors are asked to spend four to six hours per month with their youth mentee pursuing activities that they choose together. In addition, the program typically offers a group social/recreational activity for all participants every other month. Mentors are over 18 years old and have completed a series of background checks. In addition, all mentors receive an initial two-hour training before being matched with a youth and are provided with subsequent trainings throughout the year on a variety of topics.

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.

Community volunteers, college students or high school students spend a minimum of one hour per week with an elementary child to provide one on one mentoring.

Mentoring program includes skills mastery, character building, and fun, plus individualized attention from trained adults who serve as role models.

Aims to provide adult mentoring relationships to facilitate a positive impact in the lives of the youth in the areas where it operates. This mentoring occurs strictly in the school system through weekly meetings.

National civil rights advocacy group with branches in Iowa and Nebraska.

Teen Moms program provides mentoring and other services to help teen mothers reach self-sufficiency.

Young Dads program.

Youth guidance programs.

Anger management.

GAPS (Group for Adolescents Providing Support).

Alternate School available.

Mentoring groups for youth ages 10-19, small and large groups available.

Mentoring program includes skills mastery, character building, and fun, plus individualized attention from trained adults who serve as role models.

Mentoring program for Ames High School female identifying students.

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.

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 (CINA). Mentor Iowa works directly with the Department of Human Services (DHS) with CINA referred by a Juvenile Court Judge.

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.