CYC teams donate to the Japan relief efforts 

Two CYC groups have recently donated to the Japan relief efforts.

The Cowles Collectors, a group of students from Cowles Montessori, wrote, designed, and sold a card with a poem about Japan. They created a Public Service Announcement to share with their peers about their efforts. To view the video, click here. They raised $150 for the American Red Cross.

Battle the Cavities, a group of Drake University pre-dental and pre-med students, put together oral hygiene care packages for victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. They sent more than 700 care packages to Japan!

CYC kicks off community gardens on Global Youth Service Day

On Friday, April 15, CYC kicked off three community gardens in celebration of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD). Youth from Scavo, PACE, and Simpson College had a chance to present and answer questions about their garden plans to parents, community members, school board members, and teachers. To see pictures taken by the Des Moines Register at the event, click here.

We believe that service-learning is critical to youth engagement. As noted by Steve Culbertson, President and CEO of Youth Service America, "Community service is the highest calling that any child or adolescent can answer while growing up. It establishes the young person's place in the world, gives a sense of value and efficacy beyond the immediate family, and bestows power that only comes from being an actor and not a recipient. Through service-learning, such service is combined with intentional learning. Young people begin to find their authentic voice on a particular issues, giving them the integrity to take action in new ways, and asking them to consider their impact through the process of reflection."

KWAKers group makes monkey bread for apes 

TEDxYouth Des Moines Conference recruits youth speakers

The TEDxYouth Conference Planning Committee is looking for youth speakers. Ten greater Des Moines youth between the ages of 5 and 25 will be selected to present their under-celebrated stories, under-recognized accomplishments, under-ground talents, or under-implemented ideas to our community and the world on April 19, 2012 at Hoyt Sherman Place. Please consider nominating yourself or someone you know to be a speaker or entertainer at the link here.

The ten youth selected will:

- Receive an honorarium of up to $1,000

- Gain professional presentation skills

- Network with community and business leaders

- Enhance their resumes for college and career

The State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council is recruiting student members

The State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC) is accepting applications for 2011- 2012 to represent youth across Iowa. Any youth who will be between the ages of 14 and 20 during the 2011-2012 school year and is interested in having an opportunity to share opinions with people who can affect change in this state is encouraged to apply. SIYAC members are expected to communicate with their school, community, and state leaders to address issues and promote positive youth development. For more information visit SIYAC's website or contact the coordinator, Allan Tritch, at 515-725-2836 or [email protected].

Operation Purple Summer Camp Application Open