Volunteer at Local Des Moines Charities in Iowa

The Blood Center of Iowa - provides blood and blood products to Iowa Hospitals
1551 Valley West Dr
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Mission:
We save lives by creating access to a safe blood supply in partnership with the communities we serve.

Vision:
We will be trusted by patients, sought by hospitals, favored by communities and chosen by employees.

Values:
Providing our customers with only the highest quality products and services, on time, and in the best possible way, through continuous improvement in the quality of our work and people.

The Blood Center of Iowa is an independent, nonprofit, federally licensed organization providing blood and blood products 5o 46 hospitals in 44 counties across Iowa. For more than 45 years, The Blood Center has relied on charitable community members to volunteer their time and blood in order to maintain an adequate blood supply for our cities, families, neighbors - maybe even you.

The Blood Center would appreciate your time. If you wish to volunteer with the Blood Center of Iowa, please call 515-440-0197.

Young Women's Resource Center - serves young women needing help.
705 E 2nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50309

Mission:
The Mission of the Young Women's Resource Center is to support, educate and advocate for young women they experience life's challenges.

Description:
For 31 years, the Young Women's Resource Center has served central Iowa as the leading provider of information and counseling to young women ages 11-21. The Center has expertise on issues facing young women. Resources are available to partner with parents, schools and the community to develop programs specifically to meet the needs of young women. They are mindful of the ever-changing environment young women face today.

Goals:
Help young women complete their education.
Help them to stand up for their beliefs and to respect themselves.
Help them to understand that the Young Women's Resource Center is an important tool for her well-being.

If you are interested in helping the young women of the Des Moines area meet daily life challenges, please call Christina at 515-244-4901.

Iowa National Guard Youth and Teen Program - provides support to youth of military families.
JFHQ A-1 Rm 186, 7105 NW 70th
Johnston, IA 50131

Mission:
The mission of the Iowa National Guard Youth and Teen Program is to provide social, emotional and academic support to military youth and teens.

Description:
The Iowa National Guard Youth and Teen Program works to provide military youth and teens with opportunities for networking and team building with their military peers. Additionally, the program strives to equip educators working with military youth and teens throughout the deployment cycle.

If you've been involved with the military yourself, or because of someone close to you, you may understand just how difficult it is for kids to deal with the multitude of problems concerning military life. A parent may be out of their life for months or even years. Then when the parent does come back home, they may be different than when they left or they may have to leave home again. Also, youth need much help if a parent does not come home. You may be interested in volunteering to help teens meet their problems head-on and survive challenges that come their way.

Volunteering is a special way to learn more about your community, special groups in your community and about yourself. Remember, if you try helping one non-profit and it doesn't seem a match for you, move to something else. Volunteers help the small budgets of non-profits meet needs of people they wish to serve.