Author Archive: Serve Our Youth Network
Serve Our Youth Network was founded in 1999. We serve high-risk children and youth throughout Central Iowa. If you are interested in any of our volunteer opportunities (mentoring, visitation or chaplaincy), interested in making a donation, or just have a question please feel free to contact us.
Registration Information for Serve Our Youth 5K Walk/Run – Saturday, April 13th
Please join us on our 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk at Gray’s Lake on 4/13/13. You can download registration and sponsor forms here.
Are Family Dinners Overrated?
A new study published back in May in the Journal of Marriage and Family suggests that perhaps they are. The authors of the study, Ann Meier, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota and Kelly Musick, an associate professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell University, writing in The New York [...]
10 Characteristics of Successful Mentors
Via Creative Youth Ideas: According to a study of Big Brothers, Big Sisters in the USA, one of the largest mentoring organizations in the world Be a friend Don’t act like a parent Don’t try to be an authority figure Don’t preach about values DO FOCUS ON THE BOND Have realistic goals and expectations Focus [...]
Teens & Social Media
Below is an infographic from research complied by Common Sense Media. The report is entitled “Social Media, Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives.” Walt Mueller asks some good questions for us to consider in light of this research: What does this data mean for us as parents? As youth workers? Is there anything [...]
Risky Business
The Centers for Disease Control recently released their annual youth risk behavior surveillance report. This report details the risky behavior that teenagers engage in and it is divided into six categories: Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence (33% of high school students had texted or e-mailed while driving within the thirty days before the survey). [...]
Daphne’s Story
Daphne is a vibrant, intelligent young lady who landed in the detention center jaded, skeptical, and bitter. Daphne’s mom abandoned her at the age of 2. Her dad repeatedly reminded her she would be nothing, just like her mom. Daphne worked hard in school and found every job she could to prove herself and yet [...]
Heather and Allie
Heather’s father, a single parent, raising a teenage daughter on his own. He wanted the positive influence of a mentor for his daughter. Heather was matched with Allie, a wonderful GrandView University student. Heather enjoys their visits, especially when they attend a local church group’s Ignite night.
Des Moines Area May Mentor Training
If you have applied to become a mentor you will need to complete training. In May our training will be on Saturday, March 12, 2012 from 8:00a to 10:00a. It will be held at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center (1548 Hull Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316). In our training we discuss our training we [...]
Shelby and Lisa
Lisa has loyally followed Shelby from the numerous homes that she has lived in. Shelby knows that she can count on Lisa to show up and do what she says, no matter what!
A Fantastic First! Our First Annual 5K a Success!
Cooler weather didn’t stop our first annual 5K run/walk at Gray’s Lake Park from going off without a hitch. We were blessed that the rain held off and blessed with a good group of runners and walkers. We had over 100 registrations with 70 pre-registrations and the rest were the day of the event. Below [...]