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Imagine Me
Imagine me
Loving what I see
When the mirror looks at me
'Cause I
imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I'm finally happy 'cause
I imagine me
Letting go of all of the ones who hurt me
'Cause they never did deserve me
Can you imagine me?
(Imagine Me by Kirk Franklin)
These lyrics drifted through the hallways at YESS last week, wrapping up our June Talent Show. The song was performed by the "YESS Singers" - a group of kids living in shelter who range in age from 8 to 17 years old - and brought the show's imagination theme to life.
"For a lot of our kids, reality can be really scary and hard," said YESS Music Therapist Eden Stokka. "I chose this theme because I wanted to get them thinking about the idea of dreaming bigger for their future. Imagining a future that is a lot different than their past."
Other songs performed throughout the show included "Dream Big," "Flashlight," and "Piece by Piece." In addition to singing songs, the kids danced, played instruments, and read original poetry for the standing-room only crowd.
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Click here to see more pictures of our imagination-themed talent show. |
"Everyone is encouraged to participate, and I try really hard to help each youth feel prepared and talented during their performance," Eden added. "It is so much more about their experience than the final product. These shows are opportunities for our youth to feel incredibly special and successful."
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Greater Des Moines Leadership
Institute Helps Create "YESS University"
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This year, the GDMLI team helped YESS create a new agency program called "YESS University", which strives to create a work culture where staff are engaged and adequately trained to provide the best care possible to our kiddos.
Through special trainings, wellness programs, and other professional development projects, YESS University will keep our staff learning and leading the way in helping children find brighter tomorrows. This project is ongoing, and we can't wait to see how it develops over time to make YESS an even better place for kids.
A very big thanks to every member of the GDMLI team for sharing their resources and expertise in this project: Lara Liss, Emily Pontius, Ben Fee, Mark Brown, Marina Grabchuk, Corey Morrison, Kwasi Yeboah, Jeff Rayburn, Catherine Swoboda, and Jenny Livingston.
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YESS Human Foosball League
September 30, 2016
Mark your calendar for the 3rd Annual YESS Human Foosball League Tournament on
Friday, September 30! This yearly competition brings together teams from across the metro to compete in life-sized foosball games and enjoy a tailgate atmosphere. All event proceeds directly support the infants, children, and teens counting on YESS every day for safety and care.
More information about this exciting event will be shared soon! In the meantime, start putting together your team or
email Team YESS for more info about how you can help make the day a success.
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Summer Items Needed
With summer already in full swing, we are looking for items that keep kids active and having fun:
- Flip flops (plain, mainly adult/teen sizes)
- Slide-on sandals
- Sunscreen
- Sidewalk chalk, bubbles, frisbees, etc.
- Basic craft supplies (markers, paints, paper, etc.)
- Specialized craft supplies (parachute cord and clasps, embroidery thread, beads, etc.)
- Board games and card games
- Gift certificates or tickets to summer events and activities
In addition, these shelter staples are always in demand during the summer months:
- Face wash
- Alarm clock radios
- Deodorant
- Batteries (AA & AAA)
- Hair brushes & combs
- Feminine hygiene products
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Disposable razors
- Body wash
Have some items to donate? Email Jana to schedule a time to drop them off at the shelter!
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Seen Around YESS
Volunteer projects, pizza parties, crafts for kids - there's always something happening at YESS! Here's just a glimpse of what's kept us busy this month.
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