Reflections from Day One: A Perfect Beginning at Ember Recovery Campus

 This week we opened the doors of Ember Recovery Campus to youth for the very first time. It’s difficult to capture all the emotions of the day—pride, gratitude, hope—but if I had to choose one word to describe it, it would be perfect. Not because everything went exactly as planned, but because of the heart, intention, and teamwork that brought us to this moment. The imperfections, the struggles, the moments of doubt—they all became part of something extraordinary.

YSS President, CEO, and 1995 alumnus Andrew Allen reflects on the opening of Ember Recovery Campus.

Ember Recovery Campus has been a dream for years, but it didn’t come easy. There were times when the vision felt out of reach. We faced delays, lost donors, and staff turnover. It would have been easy to give up. But so many people believed in this mission, worked tirelessly, and never wavered in their commitment to make it happen. This campus exists because of their dedication and perseverance.

And now, the work begins. This week has marked the first of many milestones at Ember Recovery Campus. The first admissions. The first dinner. The first overnight stay.

And while there will be countless “firsts” in the days and weeks ahead, what struck me most on Day One was seeing how everything we envisioned—everything we intentionally built—came to life in the ways we had hoped.

A Campus Built for Them

When our first new admission arrived on Wednesday, I welcomed her with a simple message: “We’ve been waiting for you. We built this space for you.” Her face lit up with delight, and in that moment, the years of planning and effort felt worthwhile. The space was no longer just an idea or a construction project—it was a home.

In the cabins, the youth found their rooms thoughtfully prepared, with comforters and special blankets waiting on each bed. One girl gushed over her Hello Kitty blanket, while another marveled at how soft hers was. Even the boys, usually less vocal, couldn’t help but comment on how much they liked the new space.

Later, as we walked the campus, one boy paused to take it all in. “This place has a great vibe,” he said. Curious, I asked him what made him feel that way. He pointed out the nature surrounding us, the wide-open spaces, and the peacefulness. In a matter of minutes, he named every element we had intentionally incorporated: nature-based, trauma-informed, experiential, and home-like. Hearing him reflect our vision back to me—without prompting—was a profound reminder that the essence of this campus is already working.

Even the natural playscape, which I assumed would sit dormant in the snow until spring, came alive with the kids’ energy. They ran to it, climbing logs, swinging on ropes, and laughing with the kind of joy that only kids can bring. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered connection.

A Moment of Transformation

The first evening, we gathered in the café for our first candlelit recovery reflection dinner. Staff, board members, donors, and stakeholders joined together to share what brought them to this table and what their hopes were for the future of Ember Recovery Campus.

One by one, people shared their stories. A former board member and namesake of the Beran Cabin, Jan Beran, reflected on fostering 70 children and how much it meant to see this campus come to life. Staff members spoke about their personal connections to recovery and how this project had inspired them, some from the very beginning.

And then there were the youth. Their gratitude was simple and heartfelt. One boy, after hearing others share, simply said, “Thank you.” Those words carried more weight than anything I could have prepared.

A New Era for YSS

This week marks the beginning of a new chapter—not just for the youth and staff at Ember, but for YSS. I’ve seen before how transformational spaces can elevate an organization. When YSS moved from a cramped, outdated office above the Lazy M shoe store on main street, to a proper headquarters at the Jacobson Youth and Family Center, it shifted how we were seen in the community and what we believed was possible. Ember Recovery Campus has the same potential to transform not just how YSS operates, but how we lead the recovery movement in Iowa.

As I reflect on this week, I am reminded of the urgency of our work. Next week, we’ll attend the visitation for a former client who lost their battle with addiction. The desperation is real. The need is now. And the lives we save through this campus—the lives we’ve already started to save—are worth every moment of struggle that brought us here.

This campus is more than a facility. It’s a movement. A place where youth can reconnect with themselves, with nature, and with a community that believes in their potential. And this is just the beginning.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to teammates whose hard work, dedication, and belief in this mission made Ember Recovery Campus a reality. You know who you are. Thank you.

As YSS’ers, you’re already part of this movement. We invite you to share this mission with others and inspire them to join us in this recovery movement. Together, let’s make Iowa one of the best places in the nation for youth to heal, recover, and thrive.

See team reactions to residential move-in.

Take a short virtual tour of the space.