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The mission of CFUM is to create a community that supports the potential of children, youth, and families through educational success, healthy living, and community engagement. | |
From Executive Director, Rudy Trejo | |
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F & G has been a steadfast supporter of CFUM through various types of outreach. The employees at F & G have supported our Back-to-School Supply Drive, Holiday Adopt-A-Family and have made many, many donations throughout the years.
Seeing the importance of education and leadership, F & G donated funds to help CFUM develop a Leadership Corner at our main location. This corner is where students learn the skills that will make them the leaders of tomorrow through a variety of activities.
The mission of F & G is to help people turn their aspirations into reality.
Thank You F & G!!
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The KPMG U.S. Foundation recently awarded CFUM a $1,250 Community Impact Grant thanks to the nomination from Emily Nastruz.
Thanks to the KPMG U.S. Foundation and KPMG Community Impact, CFUM is able to provide nutritious meals to students and the community through our Breakfast and Super Club programs.
KPMG's mission is to turn knowledge and understanding of information, industries and business trends into value for our firms' clients, our people and the capital markets.
Thank You KPMG!!
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Neumann Builders recently awarded CFUM a $2,000 grant.
Thanks to Neumann Builders CFUM is able to continue providing quality out-of-school care that involves educating the whole child using the 21st Century Skills Model.
Neumann Builders mission is to be The Standard of Excellence in the construction industry by delivering true craftsmanship and genuinely caring about our clients, employees, and the communities we serve.
Thank you Neumann Builders!!
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Brian began volunteering with CFUM in 1997 and has been a jack-of-all-trades for the organization. From 1997-2004 Brian could be seen at Supper Club, Breakfast Club and helping out in our Educational Success area.
"I really like the CFUM approach of giving kids a place before and after school," said Brian. "The well-rounded approach of working to help improve classroom skills as well as interpersonal skills is a great approach."
After returning to the Des Moines area in the fall of 2021, Brian jumped right back into volunteering at CFUM, helping out in the K-1 room at The Haven After School Program.
Most recently CFUM has utilized Brian's expertise in process improvement, asking him to evaluate and update the organization's policies and procedures.
Being a part of CFUM is a family affair for the Downey family as Brian's two daughters, Alice and Kate each spent a summer working as leaders in the Awesome Summer Days Program.
"CFUM is a such a family atmosphere, I love that Supper Club is available for anyone can to stop by and people can break bread and build community."
Thank you Brian for your dedication to CFUM. Committed volunteers like you help the organization live out the mission of creating a community that supports the potential of children, youth, and families through educational success, healthy living, and community engagement.
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SEPTEMBER
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
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Breakfast Club Manager and Youth Development Specialist Cheryl Thomas has an infectious spirit of positivity, making her an easy choice for September Employee of the Month.
From the moment our Breakfast Club and Haven After School kids enter the room they are met with a shining smile and warm greeting. Cheryl creates an atmosphere where a kids can enjoy life, learn something and feel safe. She works hard to expand children's world view and is a positive role model for them, letting them know they are capable of changing the world.
Cheryl's co-workers said in her nomination form, "Cheryl hit the ground running in her new position by bringing compassion and energy to children's mornings and drawing them into morning activities that help them grow as students. She is great at making learning and health fun for all."
This is just the beginning for Cheryl as she plans to continue being a leader in her dual roles at CFUM. "I want to continue to be part of a CFUM team where we all make the dream work together for the children and their future."
When Cheryl found out about he award she said, "today I am so honored to be employee of the month for CFUM. It's truly a blessing and I am so happy how CFUM has changed my life and allowed me to be part of a fantastic organization."
Cheryl it is CFUM that is lucky to have such a compassionate and dedicated leader on the staff.
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The Haven
Students at The Haven After-School Program have been busy the last few weeks. As part of Farm and The Great Outdoors Weeks, the students visited Ledges State Park where they roasted hot dogs, made smores, went on a hike and heard from park rangers on how to protect our natural resources. Thank you Ledges State Park and the Iowa Park Rangers!
As part of career week, the Des Moines Fire Department visited CFUM where the students toured a fire truck and watched as a fireman worked in the truck wearing full fire suit. The students also had lessons in fire safety and proper use of 911. The day was capped with learning about careers with the fire department and a day in the life of a firefighter. Thank you Des Moines Fire Department!
As part of the Health Living and The Art of Cooking weeks students learned about eating five fruits and vegetables a day and limiting sugary drinks. Putting those lessons into practice, they made healthy salsa and fruit-infused water.
During Cyber/Tech week students practiced typing, learned about social media vlogs, experiments and creating with the new Maker Space Cart and created artwork with a Cricut machine.
Other activities happening at The Haven include farm-to-table activities, corn shucking, making healthy pancakes, creating binoculars and bird feeders, nature scavenger hunt, painting stones and Fun Friday Teamwork games.
CFUM Clubs have also been busy. The Gardening Club made a scarecrow to protect their garden; the Art Club made abstract art with wood pieces, the Coding Club took a trip to the library where they programed a robot to write the students' initials and the Basketball Club has been working hard on the basics of the game.
So much fun and learning happening at CFUM!!
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Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club has been working hard on different areas of wellness. Each day the students take learn about emotional health, physical health, intellectual health or social health.
Recently volunteers from the Drake University Drake chapter of Phi Delta Chi volunteered at Breakfast Club, teaching the kids how to create origami.
Breakfast Club is more than just a delicious and nutritious meal, we are setting kids up for a successful day at school and beyond.
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Supper Club
Come rain, shine, sleet or snow, CFUM Supper Club continues to serve the community grab-and-go meals Monday thru Friday. We are currently serving 125-150 meals per evening.
| We would like to extend a big THANK YOU to our September Supper Club donors: Prairie City Church, Valley United Methodist Church, Ankeny First Methodist Church, Windsor Presbyterian Church, Covenant Christian Church, Oakwood United Methodist Church, First Baptist of Des Moines Church, Chick-Fil-A, God Blessing, Walnut Hills United Methodist Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Westover Baptist Church, Des Moines First United Methodist Church, Northwest Rotary, CFUM Board of Directors, Immanuel United Methodist Church and Wellspring Community Church. | If you or your group are interested in volunteering with or donating a meal to Supper Club please contact Amy Tagliareni at amy@cfum.org. | | | |
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CFUM needs your financial support to continue our mission of creating a community that supports the potential of children, youth, and families through educational success, healthy living, and community engagement.
Questions about giving to CFUM can be directed to Amy Tagliareni at amy@cfum.org.
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CFUM has several volunteer opportunities available throughout the year.
- Sign up to serve breakfast and help prepare students for the school day.
- Expand a child's world by reading for 30 minutes with them after school.
- Provide a nourishing meal to Riverbend Neighborhood residents.
Email Volunteer Coordinator Jacob Nastruz at jacob@cfum.org to discuss volunteer opportunities.
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