Volunteer Project Catalog
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
We receive food from community partners and organizations as Maverik, Fareway and the Food Bank of Iowa. You can help alleviate food insecurity in our home by volunteering an hour of your time to bag up and hand out the recovered food to residents in need of additional support. This opportunity takes place on site at the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus at 2 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday. The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus provides permanent supportive housing rooted in hope, dignity, and community. Guided by a housing-first approach, we create a safe, stable place where residents can feel at home and connected to those around them. Together, staff and volunteers work to ensure everyone has a place to call home while supporting personal growth beyond basic needs. Learn more about our campus and our Annual Campaign here: https://youtu.be/Q40WAdgJg7M?si=wH3cuI4aLs5oECV0
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Contact Nicholas.Drahozal@Dmymca.org to coordinate a volunteer shift! If you are volunteering with Des Moines Corporate Games please include that in the message. We have a variety of tasks throughout the week that need helping hands to complete. This volunteer opportunity will allow you to participate in a variety of activities to support and uplift those who call the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus their home. Some examples being....donation sorting, assisting with meal opportunities, organizing and cleaning projects, stocking our pantry and more! The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus provides permanent supportive housing rooted in hope, dignity, and community. Guided by a housing-first approach, we create a safe, stable place where residents can feel at home and connected to those around them. Together, staff and volunteers work to ensure everyone has a place to call home while supporting personal growth beyond basic needs. Learn more about our campus and our Annual Campaign here: https://youtu.be/Q40WAdgJg7M?si=wH3cuI4aLs5oECV0
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Contact Nicholas.Drahozal@Dmymca.org to coordinate a group volunteer shift! If you are volunteering with Des Moines Corporate Games please include that in the message. Provide support by aiding with donation sorting, stocking our pantry, organizing and more! Each of these activities help to ensure that our residents have access to basic need items so that they can focus on working towards housing stability and personal success in a dignified manner. The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus provides permanent supportive housing rooted in hope, dignity, and community. Guided by a housing-first approach, we create a safe, stable place where residents can feel at home and connected to those around them. Together, staff and volunteers work to ensure everyone has a place to call home while supporting personal growth beyond basic needs. Learn more about our campus and our Annual Campaign here: https://youtu.be/Q40WAdgJg7M?si=wH3cuI4aLs5oECV0
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Contact Nicholas.Drahozal@Dmymca.org to coordinate a volunteer shift! If you are volunteering with Des Moines Corporate Games please include that in the message. Many of our residents are in need of a hand up as they work towards housing and financial stability. Check out the following ways you can offer a Hand Up, to our folks by providing the essential need items listed below: Create Change with Clean Clothing: Clean clothing is a basic human need. While we have on-site laundry, many residents can’t afford the quarters needed for a wash and dry. One load costs 12 quarters. Our goal is for every resident to have access to a laundry kit (12 quarters, a pod, and a dryer sheet) when needed. Consider hosting a spare change drive at work, with friends, or through a school or sports team. Fill Our Pantry: Gather friends, neighbors, or coworkers to host a food, clothing, or hygiene drive for our 140 residents. For current needs, visit our Amazon wish list. Set a New Resident Up for Success: When residents move in, they receive a welcome basket with essential household items. We’re currently running low and would appreciate donations of basic kitchen, bathroom, and cleaning supplies to help make their first day feel like home. Drop-off Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Thank you for your support! The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus provides permanent supportive housing rooted in hope, dignity, and community. Guided by a housing-first approach, we create a safe, stable place where residents can feel at home and connected to those around them. Together, staff and volunteers work to ensure everyone has a place to call home while supporting personal growth beyond basic needs. Learn more about our campus and our Annual Campaign here: youtu.be/Q40WAdgJg7M?si=wH3cuI4aLs5oECV0
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
This opportunity takes place each Tuesday between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. - contact Nick, at Nicholas.drahozal@dmymca.org, to see availability. Sponsoring and participating in a Tuesday Night Dinner offers a meaningful way to connect directly with our residents and our mission. Through our #MoreThanAMeal program, volunteers help provide a hearty, home-cooked meal for all 140 residents while creating a sense of community that truly makes our campus feel like home. A $300 sponsorship helps cover the cost of the meal. You and your group (6-8 people) will prepare and serve dinner, then sit down to share the meal and connect with residents. Volunteers consistently share that this is one of the most impactful experiences on our campus. The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus provides permanent supportive housing rooted in hope, dignity, and community. Guided by a housing-first approach, we create a safe, stable place where residents can feel at home and connected to those around them. Together, staff and volunteers work to ensure everyone has a place to call home while supporting personal growth beyond basic needs. Learn more about our campus and our Annual Campaign here: youtu.be/Q40WAdgJg7M?si=wH3cuI4aLs5oECV0
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Contact Nicholas.Drahozal@Dmymca.org to coordinate a volunteer shift! If you are volunteering with Des Moines Corporate Games please include that in the message. Just like any home, ours needs frequent cleaning! We will provide the supplies if you can provide your helping hands! The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus provides permanent supportive housing rooted in hope, dignity, and community. Guided by a housing-first approach, we create a safe, stable place where 140 residents can feel at home and connected to those around them. Together, staff and volunteers work to ensure everyone has a place to call home while supporting personal growth beyond basic needs. Learn more about our campus and our Annual Campaign here: youtu.be/Q40WAdgJg7M?si=wH3cuI4aLs5oECV0
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Contact Nicholas.Drahozal@Dmymca.org to coordinate a volunteer shift! If you are volunteering with Des Moines Corporate Games please include that in the message. Sandwiches can be dropped off at 2 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. They are distributed directly to residents the following day. The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus provides permanent supportive housing rooted in hope, dignity, and community. Guided by a housing-first approach, we create a safe, stable place where 140 residents can feel at home and connected to those around them. Together, staff and volunteers work to ensure everyone has a place to call home while supporting personal growth beyond basic needs. Learn more about our campus and our Annual Campaign here: youtu.be/Q40WAdgJg7M?si=wH3cuI4aLs5oECV0 .
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
The DSMY Skywalk Open is a major annual youth swimming competition hosted by the Greater Des Moines YMCA. This event features hundreds of young swimmers from various clubs competing in different age groups at the MidAmerican Energy Company Aquatic Center. All times are subject to change and end times are always approximate. Please check shift times after final session timelines are posted the week of the event. PLEASE do not sign other people up for shifts. The person filling the shift must be registered through Volunteer Matters. If you are volunteering with Des Moines Corporate Games, please include that in the comments when signing up. Contact quinn.kelly@dmymca.org to coordinate a group volunteer shift!
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
For availability, contact Nick at Nicholas.drahozal@dmymca.org. If volunteering with Des Moines Corporate Games please include that in the message. We’re inviting community members to host a monthly Birthday Bash so every resident can feel celebrated. Many of our residents face financial barriers or don’t have family to celebrate with, and this is a meaningful way to show them they are valued! To host a Birthday Bash, you can either provide 80 pieces of cake or cupcakes or make a $60 contribution for us to purchase the cake. You’re also welcome to bring party decorations to help make it feel festive. Upon arrival, you and a group of up to five can help decorate, serve cake, and connect with residents. Party games like Bingo are encouraged, we’ll provide the bingo set if you can provide 8–10 prizes ($5–$10 each). Birthday Bashes can be held Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus provides permanent supportive housing rooted in hope, dignity, and community. Guided by a housing-first approach, we create a safe, stable place where 140 residents can feel at home and connected to those around them. Together, staff and volunteers work to ensure everyone has a place to call home while supporting personal growth beyond basic needs. Learn more about our campus and our Annual Campaign here: youtu.be/Q40WAdgJg7M?si=wH3cuI4aLs5oECV0
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
We know that your role as a coach will be a big part of the success of the season, if not the most important part. We want you to know how much we value as coaches and are here to help support you however we can in the process. We also know that you will be some of our biggest advocates for our Youth Sports philosophy. A few important things to remember. We believe in: Maximum participation regardless of skill level Teaching sports skills Having FUN (practice and Games) Reinforcing positive sportsmanship Reminding ourselves that there are kids Recognizing where participants are at developmentally (socially, emotional, physical) and meeting them where they are at. “Be who you needed when you were young”
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