Kids and Education

BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS

Simpson students are eligible for two mentoring opportunities. Community-based mentoring allows the volunteer to meet with the child outside of the school setting.  This program requires 4 hours a month for the volunteer to take the child into the community to do activities.

Contact: Mike Hemmer

Phone:  515-288-9025

 

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL IOWA  

Mission:”To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potetial as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” Volunteer Opportunities: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa is seeking well organized highly motivated volunteers to play a supporting role in many of their programs.

Contact: Tim Rittgers, Director of Operations
Address: 1350 E. Washington Ave. Des Moines, IA 50316
Phone: (515) 710-8193

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCIL OF WARREN COUNTY

Mission: To provide instruction, support and services to help prevent child abuse in Warren County.
This non-profit organization is governed by a board of community volunteers. CAPC operates the Wee Care respite nursery and the Young Parents program and also coordinates community awareness activities. Volunteers are needed as board members, to help with special community awareness projects, to raise funds for the programs and to work with young children in the nursery (see below)

  • Wee Care:  Free respite nursery for children 6 wks through kindergarten age. Parents can run errands, go to medical appointments while their child is in a state-licensed child care program for 2 hours per week. Volunteers are needed to work with the children in the nursery and to help with special projects. Contact Lisa Gray @ 961-4716
  • Young Parents: Support/Information program for pregnant or parenting teens and young adults. Group meets weekly on Tuesday evenings at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola. Onsite child care and free meals for the parent and children is provided.  Volunteers are needed to help supervise children in the nursery. Contact Becky Bausback @ 201-5485

For more information regarding the Child Abuse Prevention Council, contact Colleen Reisener at 962-9171.

 

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF IOWA

Mission:  To improve the well-being of children and to support the healthy development of families through safe, stable and nurturing environments.

Contact: Kara Vaughn, Volunteer Coordinator, (515) 697-7905
Address:  1111 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA  50314
Phone:  (515) 288-1981  Fax:  (515) 288-9109

 

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES URBAN MINISTRIES

Mission: To provide students (K-8th Grade) with an enrichment of their educational experience through positive and creative activities that promote cooperative learning.  Volunteers are needed to hang out with kids, help with homework, assist with crafts and recreational activities.Contact:  Linda Danielson.

Address:  1548 8th St., Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone:  515-282-3242, Linda’s cell: 515.710.5964
Email: info@cfum.org 

CHILDSERVE

Mission:  ChildServe, formerly the Convalescent Home for Children, is a not-for-profit organization based in central Iowa. ChildServe partners with families to help children with special health care needs live a great life.  Direct service opportunities include spending time with the children, reading, rocking, assisting recreational therapy activities and much more.
Indirect service opportunities include assisting our staff with tasks around facilities like leaf raking, gardening, and painting.
There are opportunities for individuals, groups such as service organizations, church groups, children’s clubs, and even families, as there roles available for both adults and children.
Contact:  Kaylene Steele, Volunteer Coordinator
ChildServe Center, 5406 Merle Hay Road, P.O. Box 707, Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: 515-331-8139  Fax: 515-727-8757

Executive offices, ChildServe Foundation offices, and Care, Staff and Business Offices are located here. Six Des Moines-based community services are provided and coordinated here, including homecare, therapy, adaptive equipment, respite, supported community living, and case management.

Culture Inc.

Mission: To provide preteens and teens a safe and nurturing place to be after school. Culture Inc. is committed to do everything in it’s power to provide Des Moines youth with the tools and support needed to become positive, productive, adult leaders. Culture Inc. believes success will come through providing creative outlet, unleashing artistic potential, building confidence through accomplishments, and exposure to cultural diversity; though song, dance, and art. Participants will range in age from 10-18. Volunteers will assist with the after school program mentoring and tutoring. The program runs from 2:45- 6:15 pm. Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the school year.

Contact:  Dove Haase or Rachel Rockwell
Address: 2332 Euchlid Ave. Des Moines, IA 50313
Phone: 515-244-1200
Cell: Yvette: 402.3205   Rachel: 771.9674

EVERYBODY WINS

Mission:  Power Lunch is a lunchtime literacy and mentoring program in which preschool and elementary school students are matched one-to-one with volunteers from companies and community organizations.  Volunteer reading partners promote reading for pleasure by reading aloud with the students, sharing favorite stories and talking about books.  Volunteer reading partners are also role models who enhance students’ self-esteem and encourage their success through consistent, positive weekly interaction.  The schools with whom the agency partners are varied.

Contact:  Kelsey Thein, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator
Address: 4114 Allison Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50310
Phone: 515-277-7590

GIRL SCOUTS

Mission: Girl Scouts offers a comprehensive, informal education program accessible to all girls, ages 5 through 17 years. The Girl Scout program is based on an ethical code, teaches the skills for good citizenship, and stresses the importance of moral leadership. Girl Scouting is a preventative program that strives to give girls a solid base for their future direction and decisions. Girls learn and practice skills for living, full, responsible lives under the leadership and guidance of adult volunteers. And of course, girls have fun!  Volunteers have many opportunities to be active with the Girl Scouts, including leading a troop and helping with programs.

Contact:  Moingona Girl Scout Council
Des Moines, Iowa  50322-3733
Phone:  515-278-2881

HOUSE OF MERCY

Description: House of Mercy is dedicated to providing for the unmet health, wellness and human services needs of those most at risk in our society. The agency provides a residential facility for homeless, chemically dependent, pregnant and/or parenting women who have a substance abuse problem and are in need of assistance with recovery, self-sufficiency, parenting and life skills. Childcare is provided at the John R. Grubb/House of Mercy Child Development Center. On average, 20-30 percent of the children residing at House of Mercy have been affected by drugs taken by their mothers during pregnancy and as a result have special needs. Simpson students may assist with nurturing and caring for children residing at House of Mercy.
Contact: Lynn McCormick
Address:  1409 Clark St., Des Moines, IA 50314
Phone:  515-643-6500

 

ORCHARD PLACE

Mission: Helping heal troubled hearts and minds…one life at a time.
Orchard Place is a place for nurturing. It is a place for learning. It is a place for growth. And it is a place for children who have been unable to meet the demands of family life, school, community participation, or the requirements of other treatment programs. Above all, it is a place for a new beginning, a place to bloom…

Orchard Place Administrative Services
925 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315.
Telephone:  515-285-6781 Fax:  515-287-9695
Contact: Mikhaela Pamisiea, Director of Volunteers, 515-287-9621

SCHOOLS

WEEKS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Description: Weeks Middle School has an after-school program that is looking for volunteers to help out with the Homework Helpers program, which assists in tutoring Latino students on 2:45-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Des Moines:  Education/Literacy, Mentoring, ESL
Contact: Jim Mollison, Principal
Address:  901 East Park Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315
Phone:  515-242-8449  Fax: 515-288-6755

INDIANOLA SCHOOLS

Emerson Elementary
Principal –  Mark Timmerman, 515-961-9550 Ext. 5100
1109 E. Euclid, Indianola 50125

Irving Elementary

Principal – Amy Jo Naughton, 515-961-9560 Ext. 6100
500 W. Clinton, Indianola 50125

Whitter Elementary

Principal – Ed Johnson, 515-961-9570 Ext. 7100
1306 W. Salem Ave, Indianola 50125

Indianola Middle School

Principal – Annette Jauron, 515-961-9530 Ext 3100
403 S. 15th Street, Indianola 50125

Indianola High School

Principal – John Monroe, 515-961-9510 Ext. 2100
1304 E. 1st Ave., Indianola 50125

Indianola Learning Center

Director – Linda Alloway, 515-961-9580
1304 E. 2nd Ave, Indianola 50125

 

McCombs Middle School

Des Moines:  Children/Preventing Dropouts/Closing the Achievement Gap
Description:  Many students leave middle school unprepared for the individual responsibility and rigor expected in high school.  This opportunity involves working with students individually or in small groups, usually on organizational skills, homework completion, or specific tasks.   Times are flexible, but the ideal time is from 1:45-2:30 any weekday(s).
Contact: Barb Mullahey, Principal
Address:  201 County Line Road, Des Moines, IA  50320
Telephone:  515-242-8447    Fax 515-287-2644

UPWARD BOUND

Indianola: At Risk Youth, Education/Literacy, Mentoring
Description: Upward Bound programs are college preparation programs designed to assist high school students in preparing for and succeeding in post-secondary education.  Upward Bound programs provide exposure to college life to Iowa high school students who come from low income families or are first generation college students.  Simpson College selects high school students from the Carlisle, Des Moines, Indianola, Martensdale-St. Marys, Norwalk and Southeast Warren communities.  Simpson’s Upward Bound program offers year-round services to ensure participants’ success, such as weekly tutoring and advising, as well as the opportunity to come to the campus once a month for workshops related to college preparation and career exploration.  During the summer, students live in campus residence halls for six weeks while continuing to take high school-level courses.  In addition, students visit other college campuses; take part in a variety of cultural activities and events.
Contact: Sandra Erickson

Address:  Simpson College, 701 North C Street, Indianola, IA  50125
Phone:  515-961-1861

 

 

WEE CARE RESPITE CARE

Mission: Free respite nursery for children 6 wks through kindergarten age. Parents can run errands, go to medical appointments while their child is in a state-licensed child care program for 2 hours per week. Volunteers are needed to work with the children in the nursery and to help with special projects.
Contact Lisa Gray @ 961-4716

WILLKIE HOUSE

Description: Willkie House is a non-profit organization designed to help children from inner-city neighborhoods. It was established in 1917 and is the only independent community center left in Iowa. They have summer programs, after-school programs and a tutoring program. Contact: Alicia Brookes Operation Manager; Ed Barnes, Executive Director
Address:  900 17th St.,  Des Moines, IA 50314
Phone:  515-243-7817, FAX 243-6316