Serve Our Youth

Serve Our Youth Network is Christian organization that serves high-risk youth in Central Iowa in both community-based and institutional settings through our Amachi Mentoring, Second Chance T.E.A.M.s , Visitation and Chaplaincy programs. We desire to be the bridge between the faith community and youth-serving agencies, institutions and school where high-risk kids can be found.

Serve Our Youth Network (SOY) was created in 1999 in response to an invitation by the Polk County Youth Services Administrator to explore how the faith community could be equipped to positively impact the high-risk youth served by Juvenile Court, Department of Human Services and other Des Moines area agencies. With the help of a local Reformed Church of America pastor and a small network of churches, SOY began recruiting, training and screening volunteers from across south central Iowa to serve these youth.

Since SOY began in 1999, it has equipped and supported over 1,000 active volunteers. SOY is currently partnering with 75 churches from over 22 different denominations. Since its inception in Polk County, SOY has expanded its services in institutional settings and to provide community-based one-to-one mentoring throughout Central and Southern Iowa. We currently have staff serving the communities of Des Moines (and entire metro area), Knoxville, Newton, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, and Pella. We also provide services for Polk County Youth Services and Woodward Academy.

Specialties

juvenile justice, mentoring, youth ministry, chaplancy, juvenile offenders, children of prisoners