Volunteer Project Catalog
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
The impact Girls on the Run makes is dependent on dedicated volunteers like you, who are committed and passionate about our mission and vision. Not a runner? Not a problem! Find a volunteer opportunity that works for you! COACH - Coaches are the heart of our program! Each season, two or more volunteer coaches inspire and guide a team through our tried-and-true curriculum. If you're ready to directly make an impact, then this role is for you. TEAM HELPER - Not able to commit to the whole season but willing to help as team as needed? We invite you to volunteer as a coach support role. GOTR SPONSOR/SPARKLE BUDDY - Are you paired with a GOTR girl for the 5K as a sponsor or 5K buddy? This opportunity is for you!
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
We have a large variety of off-site opportunities you can participate in that will make a lasting impact on those who call the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus their home. Check out how you can uplift our residents today! - Handmade quilts/blankets: When residents celebrate their one and five year housing anniversaries we provide them with a handmade quilt or tie blanket made by volunteers within the community. We ask that the blankets are twin or full sized and gender neutral. By participating in this opportunity you will help us celebrate the incredible achievements of our men and women! - Cardmaking: We love handmade cards and they are treasured by our residents. You can help us uplift all residents by making 140 Kindness Cards filled with well wishes and encouragement to create smiles and spread joy in our home. Feel free to attach a piece of candy or hot cocoa packet to the kindness cards as well! - Kindness Bags: It’s fun to decorate bags and fill them with little treats for the residents. Creating and donating these bags are a lovely way for the residents to know that the community cares. Bags can contain things like snacks, hygiene items, handwritten notes or really anything else you can think of that would create smiles in our home. If able, please make 140 bags to ensure that everyone receives one! - Kindness rocks: We have a beautiful courtyard with garden spaces that would be so vibrant with the addition of hand painted kindness rocks. We love the idea that residents can stroll outside and see little pieces of art with positive words and/or pictures. - Recipes for residents: Do you like to cook? Our on-site pantry offers residents various food options to cook throughout the week and cooking inspiration is always helpful! You are able to come in to our home, look through our pantry, and then write up a recipe card that uses at least one item from our pantry. Ingredients should include affordable items found at any grocery store and the meal should be able to be made using a pot/pan or a small toaster oven as we have efficiency apartments. Recipe cards can be made on or off campus – our residents will be thrilled to have new cooking ideas! - Turn a house into a home with art: Look around your home. What do you see? A picture of your loved ones? Maybe you see a painting your children made or one you picked out at the store? Art turns a house into a home, especially if it’s #MadeWithLove. If your enjoy art, consider volunteering your time to create artwork for the YSHC residents. We cannot wait to see what this #ConspiracyOfKindness has in store! Once completed, you can drop off the volunteer project at 2 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The YMCA Supportive Housing Campus is a community solution to eliminating homelessness by providing hope, dignity and support in the form of permanent supportive housing. Our belief that everyone is worthy to live a life of meaning guides everything that we do. We believe in housing first and community next; providing a space where residents feel safe, secure and at home while feeling as though they are a part of the community that surrounds them. Together, staff and volunteers advocate to advance our belief that everyone deserves a place to call home. Volunteers allow us to transgress past basic need services through supporting on and offsite opportunities that better create a dignified and supportive space of stability and personal growth. Learn more and take a virtual tour of our campus here: youtube.com/watch?v=YTshFDMScsM&t
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 Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays between 8 a.m. and 10 a.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
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
Summer 2026 Dates Week 2 - June 14-20 Week 3 - June 21-27 Week 4 - June 28 - July 4 Week 5 - July 5 - 11 Week 6 - July 12 - 18 Week 7 - July 19 - 25 Week 8 - July 26 - August 1 Week 9 - August 2 - 8 Y Camp Leader Volunteers serve one week at a time (one week commitment required), assisting camp staff with activities, camper engagement, and daily camp operations while helping create a positive and welcoming environment. This volunteer opportunity is designed for young leaders who want to gain hands-on leadership experience, build confidence, and make a difference in the lives of campers.
How you can help:
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
2026 Dates Week 2 - June 14-20 Week 3 - June 21-27 Week 4 - June 28 - July 4 Week 5 - July 5 - 11 Week 6 - July 12 - 18 Week 7 - July 19 - 25 Week 8 - July 26 - August 1 Week 9 - August 2 - 8 Y Camp Leader Volunteers serve one week at a time (one week commitment required), assisting camp staff with activities, camper engagement, and daily camp operations while helping create a positive and welcoming environment. This volunteer opportunity is designed for young leaders who want to gain hands-on leadership experience, build confidence, and make a difference in the lives of campers. Once you have registered for a volunteer position, please contact Melanie Mellinger, Sr. Summer & Family Camps Director, at melanie.mellinger@dmymca.org to select your week.
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