Opportunities From: United Way of Central Iowa

Volunteer: Community Garden Help

Join us in caring for our community garden!

We need help weeding, harvesting, and cleaning our garden area while our garden club is on their annual break.

All produce grown goes directly into our community fridge, supporting neighbors in need.

Organization: Community Youth Concepts

Join us in caring for our community garden!

We need help weeding, harvesting, and cleaning our garden area while our garden club is on their annual break.

All produce grown goes directly into our community fridge, supporting neighbors in need.

Organization: Community Youth Concepts

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Oct 23, 2025

Zip Code: 50313

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Community Fridge Donation Items (Des Moines)

Community Youth Concepts (CYC) hosts a Community Fridge at our building at 1446 MLK Jr. Parkway (Corner of MLK and Clark) to provide food and toiletries for those in need and to reduce food waste in our community.  With the refrigerator and freezer we are able to accept both fresh and shelf stable items.   In addition, prepared food can also be left as long as it is in either individual or family size containers (could be zip lock bags, sealable takout containers, etc. (please, no large buffet or other serving size containers)) and labled with what it is and the date prepared. 

Food can be left directly in the fridge or shelves as appropriate and there is access 24/7.  Fridge shed is located in parking lot behind building - entrance to parking lot is off of Clark St.  For large deliveries, please contact CYC during regular business hours  for staff support.  (515 -243 4292).   Popular items that move quickly are: 

Dairy and non-dairy substitutesFresh Producemeats or meat substitutesPrepared snacks, meals (fruit, sandwiches, wraps, etc.)yogurtprepared mealsdessertscheese beans - canned or dried canned or dried fruits cereal protein and/or granola barsmacaroni and cheese and/or ramen canned soups or meals crackers or snack foods paper towels/napkins soap/hand sanitizer feminine products cleaning supplies

To drop off items please contact CYC during business hours at 515-243-4292 or email julie@cyconcepts.org. 

Organization: Community Youth Concepts

Community Youth Concepts (CYC) hosts a Community Fridge at our building at 1446 MLK Jr. Parkway (Corner of MLK and Clark) to provide food and toiletries for those in need and to reduce food waste in our community.  With the refrigerator and freezer we are able to accept both fresh and shelf stable items.   In addition, prepared food can also be left as long as it is in either individual or family size containers (could be zip lock bags, sealable takout containers, etc. (please, no large buffet or other serving size containers)) and labled with what it is and the date prepared. 

Food can be left directly in the fridge or shelves as appropriate and there is access 24/7.  Fridge shed is located in parking lot behind building - entrance to parking lot is off of Clark St.  For large deliveries, please contact CYC during regular business hours  for staff support.  (515 -243 4292).   Popular items that move quickly are: 

Dairy and non-dairy substitutesFresh Producemeats or meat substitutesPrepared snacks, meals (fruit, sandwiches, wraps, etc.)yogurtprepared mealsdessertscheese beans - canned or dried canned or dried fruits cereal protein and/or granola barsmacaroni and cheese and/or ramen canned soups or meals crackers or snack foods paper towels/napkins soap/hand sanitizer feminine products cleaning supplies

To drop off items please contact CYC during business hours at 515-243-4292 or email julie@cyconcepts.org. 

Organization: Community Youth Concepts

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 50314

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Stowe Heights Challenge Course support - general April-October

Stowe Heights Challenge Course (SHCC) is a program of Community Youth Concepts on the East Side of Des Moines open from annually from May to October in 2020. Volunteer projects can be completed as individuals, family groups or other groups beginning in April and including months of operation. Due to the large amount of space and outdoor nature of the projects social distancing can be practiced while volunteering.  There are a variety of projects including landscaping, invasive species removal, general cleanup, painting, building projects at a variety of skill levels and trail creation.  For more information about Stowe Heights and volunteer projects, please contact jane@cyconcepts.org or 515-243-4292.  Please visit the Stowe Heights website to learn more about programming. 

 

Stowe Heights is a brand new program and as such interested supporters can volunteer in a number of ways including support with technology, website, social media and simply spreading the word about this hidden east side gem. 

Organization: Community Youth Concepts

Stowe Heights Challenge Course (SHCC) is a program of Community Youth Concepts on the East Side of Des Moines open from annually from May to October in 2020. Volunteer projects can be completed as individuals, family groups or other groups beginning in April and including months of operation. Due to the large amount of space and outdoor nature of the projects social distancing can be practiced while volunteering.  There are a variety of projects including landscaping, invasive species removal, general cleanup, painting, building projects at a variety of skill levels and trail creation.  For more information about Stowe Heights and volunteer projects, please contact jane@cyconcepts.org or 515-243-4292.  Please visit the Stowe Heights website to learn more about programming. 

 

Stowe Heights is a brand new program and as such interested supporters can volunteer in a number of ways including support with technology, website, social media and simply spreading the word about this hidden east side gem. 

Organization: Community Youth Concepts

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 50317

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Community Youth Concepts' Mentor Advantage Program

Help our future workforce figure out their path so their educational path is one that leads to positive outcomes. The Mentor Advantage Program (MAP), a state certified mentoring program, builds relationships between middle and high school youth and professionals. Mentors and mentees are matched based on personality, gender, and the mentee’s career interest. MAP's intent is to introduce youth to the mentor’s career and expose them to a “behind-the-scenes” look at how educational concepts are applied in a real-world setting. Matches are encouraged to spend time at the mentor’s place of employment, giving the mentee an apprenticeship-like experience, and explore what other opportunities might be in their areas of interest.

To find out how to get involved as a student or mentor, contact our Mentoring Coordinator, John Preston, at 515-243-4292 or john@cyconcepts.org . 

Organization: Community Youth Concepts

Help our future workforce figure out their path so their educational path is one that leads to positive outcomes. The Mentor Advantage Program (MAP), a state certified mentoring program, builds relationships between middle and high school youth and professionals. Mentors and mentees are matched based on personality, gender, and the mentee’s career interest. MAP's intent is to introduce youth to the mentor’s career and expose them to a “behind-the-scenes” look at how educational concepts are applied in a real-world setting. Matches are encouraged to spend time at the mentor’s place of employment, giving the mentee an apprenticeship-like experience, and explore what other opportunities might be in their areas of interest.

To find out how to get involved as a student or mentor, contact our Mentoring Coordinator, John Preston, at 515-243-4292 or john@cyconcepts.org . 

Organization: Community Youth Concepts

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 50314

Allow Groups: No