YSS Year End Recap 2024

What a year! In 2024, YSS reached significant milestones. We cut the ribbon at Rooftop Gardens and our renovated North Iowa location. We neared construction completion at Ember Recovery Campus and are ready to welcome residents to campus at the beginning of the New Year. Each of our programs provided hope and opportunity every single day. We’ve held multiple events honoring donors, staff, and youth in our programs. All of this in thanks to you, our amazing community.

Let’s look back on some of our major accomplishments.

Recognition Luncheon 

YSS held its 2024 Recognition Luncheon on Feb. 1 at the Gateway Hotel in Ames. The annual event celebrates YSS’s supporters, as well as highlights the organization’s achievements and looks to the year ahead.

The following award winners were honored: 

Outstanding Service Awards 

These awards are given to an outstanding individual or organization in each YSS community-based center who has made a significant impact through volunteerism and service. 

• YSS of North Iowa: Donna Furleigh
• YSS of Hamilton County: Maxine Packard Estate
• YSS of Boone County: Fran Duncan
• YSS of Marshall County: Warren Dukes
• Iowa Homeless Youth Centers: Friends of YSS

YSS Inspiration Award: Emma and Doug Houghton

YSS Champion for Youth: Iowa State University athletics

YSS Empowering the Youth: Underwood Family

Dr. George Founder’s Award: Sheila Paul

Dr. George Inspiring Hope Award: Renee Harris

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Ember Recovery Campus 

Construction on the beautiful Ember Recovery Campus is nearly complete!

Ember Recovery Campus represents the largest investment in children’s behavioral health in Iowa. This trauma-informed, nature-based, experiential addiction treatment campus consisting of 70 beds will support recovery statewide for youth and young adults.

The new campus is located near Cambridge, Iowa, in a serene, nature-based setting. Ember will provide crisis stabilization, emergency shelter, and residential addiction treatment for youth and young adults.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPUS

Achievement Tea 

In June, 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
• Rapid Re-housing: Sedalia
• Lighthouse: Deja
• Aftercare: Kemoney
• Post-Secondary Education Retention Program (PSERP): Arial

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Kids Club Olympics

Our annual Kids Club Olympics featured opening and closing ceremonies, a running of the torch, water activities, tug of war, a chill-out zone, a tattoo station, and an awards ceremony! Everyone in attendance had a blast!

From games to outside playtime, crafts to dramatic play—YSS Kids Club is the perfect place for your child to thrive beyond the classroom. Licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS), YSS Kids Club provides your child with a safe, stimulating, and enriching environment before/after school and during no-school days.

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Rooftop Gardens 

Rooftop Gardens is now OPEN, harvesting lettuce, and shaping lives!

YSS Rooftop Gardens is an innovative program in Des Moines designed to support at-risk youth and those experiencing homelessness. This initiative provides vital apprenticeship opportunities, helping participants gain valuable employment experience while promoting access to healthy, locally-grown foods and essential nutrition education.

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Renamed YSS of North Iowa 

YSS of North Iowa unveiled its remodeled campus on March 7 with a ribbon cutting, marking the end of a $4 million renovation that began in 2020.

The new space provides an environment where families dealing with trauma can get the help that they need in a place that makes them feel comfortable. We placed an emphasis on trauma-informed care and design, offering a welcoming environment that is conducive to recovery.

“If you walked through this space a year ago, it was very institutional – whatever the opposite of hope and opportunity was – is kind of what you felt when you walked in here,” YSS President and CEO Andrew Allen said. “(Now) this place is fresh; this space exudes hope and opportunity.”

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YSS Ambassadors

YSS was pleased to welcome back Iowa State University student-athletes Jaylin Noel and Tamin Lipsey for a second year as YSS Ambassadors. Joining the team are Arianna Jackson with ISU Women’s Basketball and Cam Manyawu with Drake University Men’s Basketball.

The YSS Ambassador Program was established in spring 2022, with Gabe Kalscheur of the ISU men’s basketball team serving as the first-ever YSS Ambassador. After legislation was passed allowing student-athletes to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL), Kalscheur wanted to use his platform for good. He partnered with YSS to represent the organization and give back to his community.

The YSS Ambassador program collaborates with the We Will Collective and the DU Great Collective, which compensates ISU and Drake student-athletes with donated funds while helping the athletes use their NIL to benefit the community. 

Holiday Giving 

As we wrap up 2024 with the holiday season, our holiday giving campaign is coming to a close. Adopt-A-Family has wrapped up for this year with EVERY family and individual adopted! You’ve helped make the holidays brighter for 683 individuals, including 168 family profiles and 200 individual profiles. WOW!

If you didn’t get a chance to adopt a family this year, we still have giving trees at local businesses. You can stop by these businesses to purchase essentials for YSS programs. See a list of locations by clicking the button below! 

• Take a tag from a giving tree. 
• Purchase the requested item. 
• Return the item (unwrapped, with the tag attached) to the giving tree. 

GIVING TREE LOCATIONS

Thank you for supporting YSS programs, families, and youth. We cannot wait to see what 2025 brings!