A Look Back
A note from Julie Schneider, Chief Advancement Officer
    
Next Tuesday, January 26,  is the 20th anniversary of YESS' relocation to the Steven N. Blank Variety Club Youth Center.    The big move from our space in the Hawthorne Hill neighborhood to our current location was a turning point for our organization - growing from a capacity for 20 children to a new 60 bed licensure. Renovating the former Dunlap Elementary into the Youth Center was a huge project made possible with our community's support.  

Moving day was memorable for many reasons - not least of all because of the blizzard that dropped 14 inches of snow and held up the moving trucks on Southeast 14th Street. What I remember the most, however, was the awe the kids and staff had as they walked through the doors of YESS' new "home" for the first time.  It was the perfect safe place during a time in their lives when everything else had been thrown into chaos.
  
Since that day, more than 15,000 children h ave found  260,000 nights of  safety and care  at the Center.  Kids attend school in our classrooms, receive wellness check-ups in our on-site clinic, shoot hoops in our gym, work with our counselors to find hope for the future, and have plenty of space to just be kids. 
  
This move also helped YESS continue to grow.  Our most recent shelter expansion makes it possible to house up to 92 kids each night and work with hundreds of families in the community so kids stay safe in their own homes. 
  
Whether you've been a friend of YESS since the very beginning, or just recently found out about our mission, thank you for being by our side. We look forward to the future, and sharing how your support today makes all the difference for children tomorrow.

  
Thank You for Making Spirits Bright
     
Thank you to everyone who helped make the holidays a bit brighter for the kids at YESS! Your gifts of time, financial support, and needed items made the holidays so special for kids relying on YESS.

We wish we could  show you how each child's face lit up when they opened a present or spent time with a volunteer, but h ere are a few holiday highlights:
  • We "decked the halls" with donated Christmas trees and a contest among the units for the best holiday decorations.
  • Volunteers spent time with the kids making crafts, decorating cookies, and creating holiday memories
  • Toy drives and present donations helped each child receive new toys, clothes, and other presents that brought back some of the magic of the season. 
  • Our staff even joined the kids in performing during our Holiday Talent Show.
Together, we created warm memories and holiday cheer for kids when they needed it most. Thank You!


  
The Ducks are Coming!
 

Mark your calendars and get your ducks in a row for the 2016 YESS Duck Derby presented by Bob Brown Auto

Join us Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Jordan Creek Town Center for the 9th Annual YESS Duck Derby, presented by Bob Brown AutoStay tuned for m ore information about all the fun in store for this year's pro-duck-tion!

If your group or organization wants to join in this year's quack-tastic event, just contact Kristin! We would love to tell you more about sponsorship opportunities, Duck Derby teams, and how you can help make this year's race our best one yet!

Get 
Involved

  

 






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Team YESS
Shoutouts


We are starting our year with gratitude!



Thank you to 
Coldwell Banker
  and its employees who donated $6,000  to help kids in crisis through their CB Cares program

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Sending lots of thanks to our Duck Derby Media and Event partners for being a part of this year's
pro-duck-tion!

Jordan Creek Town Center
MidAmerican Energy Company
MORE 104
Strategic America
TPI
WHO-TV 13

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We are so grateful to have the 
Iowa Rush Soccer Club  on Team YESS, as they collect hygiene items during their upcoming Frozen Four tournament 

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Thank you to the
BHHS First Realty team who held an impressive book sale to keep our library well-stocked and ensure kids in shelter are reading

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Through
Ramsey Subaru's Share the Love event, more than 100 hats and gloves were donated to keep kiddos warm all winter long

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Thanks to Young Professionals Connection (YPC) for inviting YESS to be a part of their Chili for Charity event last week

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McLellan Marketing Group  helped us update marketing items to connect with more kids and families in need

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THANK YOU
 all the members of Team YESS rallying behind the kids we keep safe!





  Youth Emergency Services & Shelter
918 SE 11th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-282-YESS (515-282-9377)
 
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Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS) meets the critical needs of the community by providing a continuum of quality programs designed to keep children safe and families together.