A leadership development program that exposes teens to a wide range of educational and career opportunities that build positive self-esteem, self-respect, and social moral character.

Youth services provides courses on topics including first aid for children, disaster preparedness, water safety, and babysitting for children. Also offers youth volunteer opportunities and service learning projects for middle and high school students.

Crafts for all children.

Provides a comprehensive array of services to reduce barriers to school attendance and increase student engagement. Year-round services include the Community Coach Program an alternative to court involvement, detention, and out of school suspensions. The Youth Attendance Navigators address chronic absenteeism; the Whitney M. Young Jr. Academy provides college and career prep activities.

The Early Childhood Education Center, for ages 3-5 years old, uses a Montessori-inspired curriculum. Operates weekdays, morning through afternoon, throughout the year.

The Out-of-School Program targets school aged children between the ages 5-13. Monday-Friday, program participants are picked up from school and brought to the Center. Includes homework help, communication activities, college planning, entrepreneurship programming, mentorship and volunteer opportunities.

Serves as the lead agency for the Community Learning Center (CLC) at Culler Middle School. CLCs serve as a collaborative component between schools' administrative staff and community based organizations and provides extended learning opportunities for both students and families.

Availability of other programs may vary and may include:

The Health Outreach Program is advocating for the African American community in Lincoln by providing basic health care information and ensuring that there are no barriers to getting care. Targets African American adults who do not have a medical or dental home and/or have not seen a doctor in the past year.

Breast Cancer Outreach Initiative empowers all women, especially African American women to do preventive screenings and if necessary, helps them receive treatment. This program ensures that all women receive clinical breast exams.

The Talented Tenth Scholars Program provides African American males between the ages 13-18 with cultural awareness, social support, and academic enrichment. The Youth Empowerment Curriculum draws strength from the African American cultural ideal of collective work and responsibility, by creating a cohort of adolescent scholars who will experience the curriculum together and by matching them with mentors. It aims to motivate the youth to work for the betterment of themselves as individuals, and as conscious and committed members of their families and communities. The program's goal is to help the participants develop leadership and graduate from high school.

Strong Courageous Girls Program is a gender, culturally specific and evidence based prevention program for African American girls ages 12-18. Using the Smart and Strong Curriculum, this program operates twelve months a year and helps young women build self- esteem, develop coping skills for everyday life, and provides them the tools to reach their goals.

Moving Forward to End Domestic Violence financially empowers women by enabling survivors of interpersonal violence to achieve financial empowerment and job readiness through culturally appropriate services.

Offers recreation programs and services to the residents of Des Moines. Parks, trails and public recreation facilities are available throughout the city.

The Recreation Division offers instruction in various sports as well as youth sports camps, outdoor aquatic centers and spray grounds. Red Cross swimming instruction is also available at some facilities. GRASP card offers discounts to low income families (up to 50% off).

Community Centers offer a variety of activities, open recreation, meeting space and are barrier free to allow for participation by persons with a disability. See individual listing for Community Centers.

Parks Division includes cemeteries, floral gardens and displays, golf courses, tennis courts, bike trails, picnic parks and shelters, swimming pools, and public boat ramps.

Helps the schools, parents, and community in an effort to prepare young people to become successful and productive citizens. The program focuses on the YMCA core values of Character, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, tied with the Six Pillars of Character Development to enhance the self confidence, motivation, and self esteem of the participants. The program is site-based and operates at different schools sites in the community. Every group at each particular site meets at different times. The program identifies at-risk youth that are potential leaders and are currently underachieving.

Provides youth programs like an archery program and other recreational activities.

Teen character development programs, including fitness classes, babysitting classes, arts and cooking classes, and guys-only or girls-only groups.

Offers a variety of recreational, educational, cultural, and social youth development programs for youth (6-18 years of age). Leadership and citizenship development are all a part of the club's objectives for participating boys and girls.

Provides discussions on friendships, confidence, self-esteem, mental health and positive female body image. The small groups develop a safe place for girls to talk openly and honestly about their feelings and life experiences.

Helps the schools, parents, and community in an effort to prepare young people to become successful and productive citizens. The program focuses on the YMCA core values of Character, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, tied with the Six Pillars of Character Development to enhance the self confidence, motivation, and self esteem of the participants. The program is site-based and operates at different schools sites in the community. Every group at each particular site meets at different times. The program identifies at-risk youth that are potential leaders and are currently underachieving.

Programs focused on character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, arts, and sports, fitness and recreation.

Provides affordable services and activities to all youth.