Programs for: Middle School

Girls Inc. of Central Iowa at the YWRC offers a roster of programs for girls in middle school (6th through 8th grades) designed to support, educate, and encourage them to successfully meet the growing responsibilities of their educational and social worlds. These programs provide middle schoolers with people to learn from, people to bond with, and people to talk to. At this critical age, these programs can be part of the girl’s rapidly changing life, giving her the skills to make those changes with self-confidence and strength.

After School Groups

The Young Women’s Resource Center holds weekly after school groups for young women in the Des Moines area in 5th through 12th grades. These groups explore a variety of topics such as body image, self-esteem, reproductive health and healthy relationships. They include hands-on activities, field trips, guest speakers and community service projects. (Groups are currently held online and meet in a virtual space. Project-specific activity kits are provided for participants.)

body image, relationships, reproductive health, resiliency, self esteem
Counseling

Mental Health Counselors provide one-on-one, couples and/or family counseling to young women in schools and at the Young Women’s Resource Center. Counseling services are offered for all young women within the ages of 10-24.

addiction, alcohol, anger management, counseling, drugs, empowerment, health, mental health, postpartum, relationships, resiliency, self esteem, therapy
Empowerment Summer Programs

During summer programs, girls can come spend time with others in a supportive environment, have fun and learn more about what it means to be a healthy young woman.

empowerment, high school, middle school, resiliency, Summer, summer program
Empowerment Workshop

empowerment, empowerment workshop, spring break
Expect Respect

5 Weeks – Safe Space – Real Talk Free-Safe-Confidential SUPPORT GROUP. EXPECT RESPECT® is a proven curriculum focused on building healthy relationships, confidence, and communication. Questions? Contact Maria via email or by phone at 515.669.6246. Expect Respect® – 2025 Expect Respect® with the YWRC is a program developed by SAFE, and the Expect Respect® mark […]

5th grade, Expect Respect, prevention, violence prevention
Girls Inc. of Central Iowa

The Young Women’s Resource Center is excited to be the home of Girls Inc. of Central Iowa! Building on our almost 50 years of work with girls and young women, our creation of Girls Inc. of Central Iowa as part of the YWRC bolsters resources, strengthens our ability to adapt to everchanging needs, and supports […]

empowerment, girls inc., girls inc. of central iowa
Lotus

Lotus is a program that explores creative expressions like painting, movement, music and more to build self-esteem, healthy relationships and resiliency.

art therapy, coping skills, creative expression, health, mental health, resiliency, self esteem, therapy
Mariposa

Mariposa, meaning “butterfly,” is a weekly after school group designed exclusively for Latina young women in middle and high schools throughout Des Moines.

culture, empowerment, Latina, leadership, resiliency, self esteem
YWRC Self-Care Workshop

Prepare for your adventure – body, mind, and heart! FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. @ YWRC Teens will learn about emotional intelligence, breath work, and healing yoga. Led by Marcia, our Art Therapist, and community volunteers, this day will be full of creative and motivating projects. Self-Care Workshop is free and includes […]

self care, self care workshop

Check out photos, stories from our Programs, and news about our upcoming events by following us on social media! YWRC’s EIN #: 51-0186073