Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
YSS introduces Nevada youth programs and urges volunteers; mentoring waitlist grows
Summary
Representatives from YSS briefed the council on local youth programming — Teen Club, Tough Topics, summer enrichment — and said mentoring needs are urgent, with 12 young people waiting for mentors.
At the public forum, YSS representatives introduced the organization's youth programs serving Nevada and appealed for mentors and community support.
Tanner Coder, lead youth development services coordinator with YSS, said the organization runs Teen Club (after‑school for sixth–eighth graders), a Tough Topics group, mentoring partnerships, and a six‑week summer enrichment program that serves more than 100 students. "Over a 100 students participate every summer," Coder said.
Erica Spade, Eastern Story County mentoring facilitator, said the Nevada mentoring program currently serves 20 youth with 10 high‑school students and 10 community members acting as mentors. Spade said she has 12 youth waiting for mentors — four elementary and eight middle‑school students — and encouraged anyone with time to volunteer.
Christie Leyva, prevention‑through‑mentoring coordinator for YSS, described YourLifeIowa.org as a free statewide resource that provides web, text and phone supports for Iowans facing behavioral health, substance use or gambling problems. Leyva also noted Teen Club meets Tuesday through Thursday from about 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and that all YSS programs are free.
Councilmembers and other attendees encouraged volunteer mentoring and noted prior local participants’ positive experiences. YSS provided contact information for those interested in volunteering.
