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"I Am" poem written by a youth at YESS.
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Finish the following phrases:
I feel...
I think...
I act...
I am not...
I hope...
I will...
I am...
Answering these questions creates an "I Am" poem - a way to explore how you feel about yourself and the labels others might give you. Kids living in shelter created poems just like this in September, and many chose to display their work during the
September Talent Show.
"It's a simple way for our kids to express their current feelings and hopes for the future." said Madi Musson, YESS Art Therapist. "It helps them explore the parts of themselves they find important to share with the world."
Some poems highlighted the kids' positive hopes for the future: "I hope I make it in life," "I will be an attorney," and "I will be successful." Other poems illustrated fears and frustrations: "I feel angry" and "I feel lost." Some of the most powerful poems, however, were also the simplest. One shelter youth answered every line with the same word - home.
These expressive outlets are a vital part of YESS' shelter programming. We provide an environment where kids are not only safe, but have the tools they need to heal from previous trauma and find hope for a brighter tomorrow. To support these programs and help children find healing and hope,
click here.
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2,245 children's lives were impacted by our services last year
This statistic is just a number, but the team at YESS knows what it truly represents. Over the last year, we heard 2,245 stories from 2,245 children. We heard about painful experiences in their past and watched them achieve goals that once seemed out of reach. We tucked 832 of them into bed at night and woke them up again in the morning. We walked alongside 1,413 of them, helping families navigate daily challenges and difficult circumstances
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Each of these 2,245 children has a story that runs much deeper than this number could ever describe.
Our yearly
Impact Report is designed to provide a small glimpse into the lives of these children. Further, this report illustrates the growing need for our services, the ways we are changing kids' lives, and the reason our mission is so important.
15,550 nights of shelter care
...because every child deserves a safe place to lay their head at night
10,815
counseling sessions
...because healing emotional wounds provides children with hope for the future
1,034 kids matched with an integrated care team
...because families thrive when they have support and the right care for their child
2,422 calls to the YESS crisis hotline (515-282-9377)
...because crisis can strike a family at any time
4,846 volunteer hours and
5,874 in-kind donations
...because we can only carry out our mission with support from friends like you
These numbers are just a few of the ways we measured our impact over the last year. With help from friends like you, we will continue keeping kids safe, learning their stories, and changing their lives. All day. Every day.
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Shop & Help Kids on Whole Foods 5% Day
Throughout the year, Whole Foods Market hosts community giving days (otherwise known as "5% Days") where 5% of that day's sales are donated to a local nonprofit or educational organization. On October 25, this event will support the children who seek safety and care at YESS. To support this event, all you need to do is show up and shop!
Let's DU Lunch, with YESS CEO Stephen Quirk
Drake University and the Greater Des Moines Partnership are hosting a series of speakers this fall for the 17th season of Let's DU Lunch. This professional speaker series lets attendees hear firsthand from Drake and community leaders in the Des Moines Metro. Our CEO, Stephen Quirk, will speak at the November 2 lunch about the youth we serve and how YESS is creating solutions within the child welfare system.
Click here to learn more.
YESS Human Foosball League
Teams are ready and the bracket is full for this year's YESS Human Foosball League tournament, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the fun! Be sure to follow YESS on
Twitter,
Instagram, and
Facebook for updates throughout the tournament next Friday, September 30. You can even watch a live stream of the championship game where we'll crown the 2016 HFL Tournament Champion!
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Art Supplies Wish List
Your donations make such a difference for the children at YESS, and right now we're looking to restock our Art Therapy Studio
! To donate items for this special program, email Jana or check out our Amazon Wish List.
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