How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help us meet the needs of youth and families in your community. You can target your gift to a particular program, and YSS will provide documentation for tax purposes. For Federal Government Employeees who are interested in giving, the YSS Combined Federal Campaign Number is 15105.

  • You can make a donation online. YSS has partnered with Groundspring.org to provide secure credit card transactions.

  • You can make a gift in person or by mail.

  • You can contribute funds through a planned or deferred giving program. For more information, please contact our Planned Giving Officer at 1 (515) 232-4332.

  • You can donate items on a specific facility's wish list. Your donation will directly help youth involved in treatment at these sites. We will provide documentation of your donation for the value you assign. A general and ongoing needs list has been developed that includes: toilet tissue, Kleenex, paper towels, quart/gallon Ziplock bags, Saran wrap, aluminum foil, basketballs, footballs, kick and soccer balls, Frisbees and cereal, new baby items for Stork’s Nest, new white athletic socks for teenage girls and boys, new underwear for teenage boys and girls of various sizes, sweats and t-shirts for teenage girls and boys, arts & craft supplies, board games (kindergarten thru teen), activity books (elementary age), color books (elementary age), gas gift cards, new car seats, dressers, toddler beds, twin beds, Pack and Plays, cribs, bouncy seats, strollers, diapers - particularly in sizes 3, 4 & 5, baby wipes, toilet paper, nonperishable food items, snack items, juice boxes, sports drinks, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, towels and school supplies. 

  • You can give your time as a volunteer or mentor. We will work with you to find a fulfilling role that can make a real difference in the lives of young people in your area.

What Your Contribution Will Do

Every day at YSS many lives are changed:

  • A homeless youth in Des Moines receives a warm coat

  • A young mother and her baby move into one of the Lighthouse host homes

  • A chemically-dependent youth receives individual counseling and stays in school

  • A young child is placed in a loving foster family
Change a life by helping YSS serve youth and families...
Make a gift today!