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A Note from Stephen Quirk, YESS CEO
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It's hard to believe we are already trading family vacations for new student orientation and trips to the pool for trips to pick out school supplies.
This transition is no different for kids at YESS. Young children are busy picking out a new backpack donated by a friend like you. Our teens are deciding what to wear for the first day of school.
While the kids at YESS have much in common with the children in your life, they have also endured things no child should experience. The information we collect when a child stays in shelter paints a troubling picture of their lives:
- 31% have been a victim of physical abuse
- 36% have lived in a home with domestic violence
- 46% have experienced emotional abuse
With so much trauma in their past, we work hard to not only keep these kids safe, but to provide experiences and activities that help them simply be a child when everything in their life seems so scary and uncertain.
Thank you for helping us keep hundreds of kids safe, healthy, and happy this summer.
Peace,
SBQ
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YESS State Fair
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Volunteers help the
kids make spin art
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The kiddos in shelter don't always have the opportunity to visit the Iowa State Fair, so the team at YESS came up with silly competitions, activities, and projects to bring the State Fair to the kids!
YESS staff planned events that provided a safe and fun way for kids to compete and get creative. "I got involved in planning this year's events because I love the creative side of the State Fair. Art can be a great way to let the youth express themselves," said Madi Musson, YESS Art Therapist.
Creative projects included spin art, a messy outdoor painting session, and using recycled materials to create animals you might see at the fair.
Volunteers helped throughout the week, and Carla, YESS' Kitchen Supervisor, served a food bar full of different foods-on-a-stick and other fair-themed treats.
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| Kids and staff race in the pie eating competition |
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Silly animal noises could be heard in the gym during the animal calling contest. But the most popular event was the pie eating contest. Kids from each living unit competed for the fastest time to finish a pie, and YESS staff got in on the messy action as well!
The festivities came to a close last Friday, with an awards ceremony to celebrate the winners for each competition. Thanks to all who made this a State Fair week to remember!
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Coldwell Banker Field Day
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Coldwell Banker volunteers taking a photo break at the canvas art station.
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On a warm summer day last week, the park near YESS was transformed into a hub of activity thanks to Coldwell Banker Mid-America Group.
"The team at Coldwell Banker reached out to us with the idea of doing something special for the kids," said Jana Daisy, Community Activities Manager at YESS. "As we planned the event, I was blown away by all the fun activities that they wanted to provide for the kids."
A variety of activities ensured that kids of any age would have fun - from the little ones in the Crisis Nursery to the older teens. Music played across the park as everyone enjoyed outdoor games, crafts, a "makeover" station, and even a bouncy house.
"This Field Day was above and beyond what we could have imagined," Jana said. "It was such a special opportunity for the kids and we couldn't be more grateful for everything the Coldwell Banker team did to make living in shelter a little bit easier."
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Check out more pictures from the Coldwell Banker Field Day
here!
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Join the YESS Human Foosball League Tournament
Friday, September 30, 2016, 12:30 - 6:00pm
 Don't miss your chance to "play it forward" for kids in crisis! During this one-of-a-kind event, teams of 6-10 adults compete on life-sized foosball courts and enjoy a tailgating atmosphere, live music, and networking opportunities.
Gameplay resembles soccer, but, much like their tabletop counterparts, players can only move side-to-side to score a goal.
Register online or by email today!
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Courtside Sponsors
Tabletop Sponsors
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Back To School Wish List
Your donations make such a difference for the children at YESS and right now y
ou can help them start the school year right! To donate new school supplies for the kiddos under our roof, email Jana or check out our Amazon Wish List.
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