Staff

Sierah is our Childcare Supervisor. She oversees our childcare program as well as the literacy curriculum implemented during care.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Marcia is our Art Therapist and specializes in creative counseling techniques. She provides voluntary and confidential counseling services for our girls and young women in schools and at the YWRC.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Elhondra is one of our Empowerment Program Specialists. She actively prepares for and facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and at the YWRC, including our Black Girl Magic group.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Ayo is our Counseling and Program Support Specialist. She provides individual and group counseling at the YWRC, schools and community organizations. Ayo also supports both the Empowerment and Young Moms Programs by facilitating groups as needed.

Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

Jerry is one of our Transportation Specialists. He ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.

Pronouns: He/His/His

Kathy is one of our Transportation Specialists. She ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Sy'Anne is one of our Empowerment Program Specialists. She prepares for and facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and After School groups at the YWRC.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Gary is one of our Transportation Specialists. He ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.

Pronouns: He/His/His

Tony is one of our Transportation Specialists. He ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.

Pronouns: He/His/His

Joyce is Senior Program Director. She oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of YWRC’s programs (Counseling, Empowerment, and Young Moms). Joyce supervises, trains, and leads the program team members.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Susana is our part-time Volunteer Coordinator. She coordinates and schedules volunteers for childcare, participant meals, and Y-Dub Club projects. Susana also organizes in-kind donations and drives.

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Julia is the Senior Director of Development. She is responsible for leading and managing fund development activities including major donor and legacy giving. Julia is also the lead of annual YWRC fundraising events.

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Jenny is our Finance, HR and Data Director. Jenny manages the YWRC finances, including overseeing the entire organizational budget. She also manages the program results database.

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Erin is our Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs. She is responsible for all of the YWRC's marketing and communication efforts and oversees the External Affairs team. She is also the lead for community special events.

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Sarah is our Young Moms Program Manager. She facilitates parenting and life skills groups, as well as individual support for our young moms, in addition to leading our Young Moms team.

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Liliana is our Office and Transportation Manager. She provides administrative support, office and building management, and reception duties. Liliana also coordinates transportation to and from the YWRC so participants can attend programs and access resources.

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Jewelz is the Young Moms Program Specialist and Doula Coordinator: Childbirth Educator, Doula, CLS. She actively prepares for and facilitates Young Moms Groups within the schools and at the YWRC, provides clients with individual support, and coordinates our Better Beginnings Doula Program. Jewelz is also certified to provide breastfeeding support.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Irma is our Bilingual Empowerment Program Manager. As the lead of the Empowerment team, she oversees all aspects of the program and guides their team goals. Irma also facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and at the YWRC, including our Mariposa group.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Christine is our Young Moms Specialist - Postpartum and Parenting. She plans and facilitates groups for pregnant and parenting young people onsite and in school-based settings. Christine also provides support with financial literacy, access to educational opportunities, accessing community resources and general support with parenting skills.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Brenda is our Bilingual Young Moms Specialist: Child Birth Education. They provide direct programming and support for parenting and pregnant young moms at the YWRC and in Greater Des Moines schools.

Pronouns: They/She

Brooke is our Fund Development Manager. She is responsible for coordinating and acquiring grants and sponsorships. Brooke also manages our database and supports a variety of development initiatives.

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Kari is our Executive Director. She leads all staff and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers