Prairie Meadows Awards $600K Grant to Ember

YSS received a $600,000 Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant that will go toward Ember, the new recovery campus being constructed near Cambridge, Iowa.

The gift was the largest award from Prairie Meadows’ Legacy Grant program this year.

“Each year, 7,000 Iowa youth need treatment but don’t get it. Our goal is to create a space to meet youth where they are and provide services that give them hope and opportunity,” said Andrew Allen, President and CEO of YSS. “We are honored to receive this generous gift from Prairies Meadows, which will go a long way in helping bring our vision to life.”

When completed, the 50-acre campus will offer residential addiction treatment, crisis stabilization, and emergency shelter for youth and young adults. Ember—a name that represents small, glowing fragments of fire that can still be revived—will offer hope and healing for families across Iowa.

Ember’s multi-building campus will feature a hub, cabins, and outdoor recreational spaces specifically designed with youth’s needs in mind. The plaza will be named in honor of Prairie Meadows.

YSS broke ground on the project in early August. Gary Palmer, President & CEO of Prairie Meadows, spoke at the groundbreaking presentation.

The Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant program provides funding for large-scale, signature projects in central Iowa to help enhance the community and revitalize the Greater Des Moines area. Previous projects include the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden, Iowa Hall of Pride, and Des Moines Public Library.

“At Prairie Meadows, we believe in the power of giving back. Through our gaming taxes and charitable contributions, we have helped transform the lives of thousands in Central Iowa communities,” Palmer said. “To truly have the most impact within Central Iowa, Prairie Meadows sees our role as vital to extending our charitable giving power to the ones who need it most.”

Learn more about the campus project.