IHYC hosts annual Achievement Tea

On June 25, Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC) hosted its annual Achievement Tea at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens. The event celebrates outstanding youth, volunteers, and community partners.

The following award winners were recognized:

Volunteer of the Year: Jane Palmer

Community Partner Award: Professional Women in Building

Community Improvement Award: Iowa Law Enforcement Academy

Youth Achievement Awards

• Youth Opportunity Center: Aries
• Post-Secondary Education Retention Program (PSERP): Arial
• Lighthouse: Deja
• Aftercare: Kemoney
• Rapid Re-housing: Sedalia

Kara Warme, YSS Chief Development Officer, gave welcoming remarks, thanked sponsors, and kept the crowd of more than 200 entertained as emcee. YSS President & CEO Andrew Allen thanked YSS employees and donors before giving an update on Rooftop Gardens.

The event was sponsored by Sammons Financial, Boesen The Florist and Garden Center, Iowa Total Care, Wandro, Kanne, and Lalor, P.C., Charlotte Hubbell and the Torgerson Endowment.

A YSS organization based in Des Moines, IHYC works to eliminate homelessness among children, youth, and young families. The IHYC Youth Opportunity Center on Locust Street offers drop-in services for youth experiencing homelessness, including emergency beds, daily meals, a food pantry, art studio, computer lab, and therapy services.

IHYC services not only meet the immediate needs of homeless youth but help them find safe housing and prepare for the future. Additional programs include Rapid Rehousing for young adults; Lighthouse for young families; Aftercare services for youth who have aged out of foster care; and PSERP to assist young adults in achieving their education goals.

Advocates and staff at IHYC work one-on-one with youth to help them find jobs, make a financial plan, and overcome other obstacles to self-sufficiency.

Learn more about IHYC.