PROGRAMS
Our programs include but are not limited to arts and culture production and expression, social development, conflict resolution, gang intervention, life skills, critical thinking, mentoring and career readiness.
Our specific target is high-risk youth who have one or both parents incarcerated and/or who are in the foster care system; have experienced trauma; known to be involved in violent or gang activity; already have juvenile justice system involvement and struggling academically or a drop out risk. We assess their needs through traditional assessments as well as from their artistic works. Then we begin addressing their needs through our programs that provide the life, technical and professional skills high risk youth need to assist them in becoming positive contributors to today’s society.
MUSIC SAVES
In an effort to get "high risk" youth who pose a threat to society at -large and themsemselves off the streets, reduce teen violence and gang activity throughout our community we propose a leadership / job training, life skills development and mentoring program for “high risk” youth. The strategy is to distract and redirect troubled youth’s energies into positive projects that they’ve expressed interest in, which are arts, music and culture.
Our “high risk” youth have been showing symptoms of hopelessness that has created alarming concern. These youth have requested resources, opportunities and access to what they believe will give them hope. By allowing them to express themselves through arts and culture we will open up a line of communication with the youth that will give us psychological insight into Des Moines’ “high risk” youth. We want to provide them with the means to create, escape and, most of all, preoccupy themselves while learning a trade, earning money and earning academic credits. Our facilities will serve as a controlled, monitored environment that will provide invaluable resources to those who long to get a grasp on what motivates our troubled youth in Des Moines, Iowa.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BLOCK
This initiative is our incentive program for successful cohorts geared toward motivating high risk youth to make decisions not influenced by their immediate and unfortunate surroundings. We will take 5-10 high risk youth, 17-18 years old, out of their everyday environment and routines then introduce them to successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives and celebrity role models who will encourage them to do what is necessary to accomplish their goals. This initiative is designed to promote self-worth, obligations of citizenship, successful mindsets, being goal oriented and being assets to themselves and society. Then we will finally equip them with the tools to mentally and physically overcome their unfortunate conditions and accomplish their life goals. Our goal is to curb the youths’ delinquency behavior by convincing them that they have access to resources that will improve their quality of life without compromising their freedom or success.
DES HYPE MAGAZINE
For those "high risk" youth who are interested in careers including but not limited to creative writing, journalism, photagraphy and graphic design we offer them the opportunity to engage in producing Des Hype Magazine. Des Hype Magazine’s purpose is to spotlight the individuals, businesses, community leaders and entertainers that round out our capital city’s diverse urban culture in arts, entertainment, culture, music and fashion. “More than information but transformation”, Des Hype Magazine seeks to help young amateurs and professionals discover and invest in Des Moines so that Des Moines can discover and invest in them in return. While our participants are engaged in this program they will gain insight and appreciation for their home town as well as the skills and experience to secure subsequent employment.
COOL KREW
is our mentoring program designed to encourage creativity, cooperation, team work and social engagement through a variety of projects requiring emotional intelligence, focus and problem solving skills. “Cool Krew” promotes academic and social excellence.
SAY WHAT! JUNIOR
is a writing lab designed to help young writers develop skills in short fiction, creative non- fiction, screenwriting, playwriting, poetry, and magazine writing. This program provides an introduction to a variety of genres such as poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, magazine writing, and drama.
Perform Well: Youth Education in Arts & Culture
This initiative will utilize arts and culture to assess and address the challenges that our youth, 6-18 years old, must overcome to develop successfully. Through a series of programs, over a six month period, we will develop their social, economic, academic, cognitive and life skills through education, expression and social engagement. We plan to incentivize the youth through rewards programs that include, but are not limited to stipends, vouchers and scholarships giving us opportunity to introduce them to positive financial habits as well. The purpose of this project is to encourage and equip youth to "Perform Well" in all aspects of their lives. Our vision is a safer and more vibrant community with confident and competent youth contributing to the success of Iowa's culture.
