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

Community-based non-profit organization committed to serving at-risk youth of all ethnic groups, to provide underprivileged youth with strategies, tools and coping mechanisms to raise self-esteem, confidence and self-worth, so they can make better choices, understand the value of education, and be contributing members of society.

Offers:

- Rites of Passage: Leadership development for youth ages 7 to 18.

- Job Readiness: Preparing youth ages 14 to 21 for jobs in retail, customer service, and manufacturing industries.

- Skills and Drills Basketball: Sportsmanship and teamwork to encourage positive social and academic engagement, for youth ages 7 to 15.

- Mentoring (In-school and Afterschool): To be the positive role model, mentor, and father figure to at-risk youth ages 7 to 18 to help them build confidence, raise self-esteem, and reach their full potential at school and in life.

- FIRE Intervention Program: Interventions for students with low academic performance, especially for students who have been suspended, arrested, defiant, and totally disconnected from the education process.

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.

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.

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.

Volunteer tutors for adults, available to native speakers of English seeking to improve literacy skills and those learning English as a new language (English Language Learners).

One to one instruction is available for learners desiring to work at their own pace and/or on a specific skill area.

Small group tutoring is offered through programs organized around students of particular cultures, needs, or goals (Citizenship, Family Literacy, and Workforce Readiness for Refugees, GED Prep and CNA Prep), and in programs to develop vocabulary and skills in a specific subject area (Computer Literacy). Additionally, family literacy programs are available for adult English language learners and their preschool and early elementary age children.

Free conversation groups provide a forum for students to practice their skills in listening and speaking English. Tutors facilitate the groups by giving students discussion topics, vocabulary and dialogue practice.

Volunteer tutors are trained through a 3-5-hour program covering learning styles, adult language acquisition and lesson development. Persons 18 years or older are invited to become tutors and LL members. A minimum commitment of one year is requested for volunteer tutors.

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.

Offers adult to child one to one mentoring. School based mentoring is offered in the Marshalltown, West Marshall and BCLUW school districts. Mentors must be at ages 16 and older. Community based mentoring is offered for youth who live in Marshall County. Mentors must be ages 18 and older.

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 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 a program designed for senior volunteers (55+) to help children and special needs children with pre-reading and reading skills, homework, play games or share stories.

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.