Safe & Thriving Youth

A Coalition Focused on Supporting Central Iowa Youth

A community-led coalition convened by United Way of Central Iowa has begun work to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce youth violence in central Iowa.

The Safe & Thriving Youth initiative began convening in March 2023, bringing together subject matter experts, educators, concerned citizens and young people, city and county officials, nonprofits, and many others to discuss solutions.  

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 6.1% of the youth in central Iowa are disengaged (young people ages 16-19 who are not enrolled in school and are under-employed). Experts agree disengagement can be a key factor in youth violence, and this number appears to be on the rise in Iowa.

Funding to develop the plan has been provided by Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and United Way of Central Iowa. The coalition will seek additional funding from local government, individuals, organizations, and others to support the implementation longer-term community-wide plan.

The Safe & Thriving Youth initiative will harness the extraordinary leadership of those already working on solutions locally as well as examine successful youth violence mitigation strategies from other communities, engage local, regional, and national experts on the issue for their advice and direction, and seek funding for implementation of short-term and long-term action items.

Safe & Thriving Youth: Central Iowa's Youth Violence Reduction Plan

The plan aims to prevent gun violence among youth, reduce shootings, and improve access to services for community members impacted by violence. It seeks to enhance residents’ perception of safety and social cohesion, and break cycles of violence. Adopting a public health approach, this plan focuses on individuals at high risk of gun violence victimization and offenses. By leveraging evidence-based strategies and fostering collaboration among community stakeholders, it emphasizes prevention, intervention, and addressing the root causes of violence to achieve long-term, sustainable change, ultimately creating a safer and more supportive community environment.

Key components of the plan include:  

  • Enhanced community, law enforcement, and social service engagement.
  • Wrap-around services and supports.
  • Promotion of hope, belonging, and peace.  
Download the Full PlanDownload the Summary

Youth Engagement Opportunities

This community-led coalition mobilized by United Way of Central Iowa has compiled several opportunities for youth:

Youth Engagement ActivitiesYouth Employment OpportunitiesYouth Volunteer Opportunities

Partners

If your program or organization would like to get involved in providing opportunities to central Iowa's youth, please fill out a form below:

Youth Activity Opportunities FormYouth Employment Opportunities Form

Toolkits

The Youth Employment Toolkit series is a resource aiming to support youth, employers, and nonprofits in providing and accessing meaningful employment opportunities. This toolkit series highlights informative guides on how to be a key asset to the team, clear descriptions of current employment programs, guidance for employers to effectively engage with youth, and how to welcome youth into the workforce through meaningful engagement. The toolkit’s purpose is to improve youth development and increase meaningful employment opportunities.

Toolkit for YouthToolkit for EmployersToolkit for Nonprofits