Urban Dreams Programs
Community Health: Provides aggressive outreach, community health fairs, prevention programs and information about available health programs
Community Care Case Management: Provides community-based case management as part of a statewide program to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect
Community Wireless Internet Program: Broadband Internet networks for low-income communities, computer education and digital divide advocacy
Drop-Out Re-Engagement Program: Street outreach, referral and advocacy services to get youth back in school or an alternative educational setting, such as apprenticeship, GED, tech training, etc. (14 to 24 years of age)
Full Service Community Schools: A holistic approach to the pressing needs of families and children (11 to 14 years of age) in low income areas provided through extended school day programming within the school setting
Gertrude E. Rush Legal Education Project: Community outreach, legal referrals and legal education programs at community-based organizations and Des Moines Public Schools
Healthy Start & Empowerment: These related programs focus on healthier beginnings for children, child development and parenting skills for Polk County families (birth to 5 years of age)
H.E.L.P (Hope Emergency Lifeline Project): Natural disaster relief and recovery projects designed to respond to community needs, increase the capacity of the recovery systems, provide a culturally competent response, and fill the gaps that traditional systems cannot manage
H.E.R.O. (Habilitation and Empowerment for Returning Offenders): Empowers ex-offenders to reintegrate into society through job counseling and an array of developmental life skills
- Beneficiary Choice: An element of the HERO program in Des Moines and Waterloo that provides job readiness training and job placement for individuals (18 to 29 years of age) coming out of federal or state prisons
Information and Referral: Assists people in need of shelter, food, clothing, jobs and other services by providing information and referrals to available programs (available by walk-in or telephone)
International Dreams: Provides technical assistance and consulting for non-profit management, program development, social mediation and other aspects of exporting practices and principles to international partners
Latino Dreams: Information referral, interpretation and translation services, citizenship and ESL classes, and other programs related to the betterment of the Latino community
Links to Learning: Provides a structured learning environment to suspended Des Moines Public Schools’ students to reduce suspensions and improve academics, as well as in-school prevention groups for students on the verge of suspension (6 to 14 years of age)
Metro Outreach: Street outreach, program referrals and crisis intervention to engage homeless individuals in critical services and to improve safety in the downtown business community
M.O.N.E.Y. (More Opportunities Needed Economically – Yes): Target financial literacy programs for middle school students, high school students and adults to increase knowledge about financial concepts, lower reliance on predatory financial practices, increase financial skills, and increase homeownership rates
P.L.A.Y.E.R.S. (Providing Links between Athletes & Youth to Empowering Resources in Society): Works with college athletes and high school athletes to assist with the transition into college and overcome the negative influences that result in poor academic performance or troubles with the law
Parent Educators: In-home services focused on building parenting skills and child development for Polk County families (birth to 5 years of age)
Pre-Employment Training: Summer employment and internships, MidAmerican Energy’s middle school program, and other services that prepare students for future careers and define academic pathways
S.A.V.E. (Substance Abuse Variation Explorations): Outpatient substance abuse treatment program that provides assessments, individual counseling, groups and aftercare for adults and juveniles (Medicaid provider)
- Culturally Competent Treatment Program (CCTP): IDPH pilot project that provides free outpatient treatment services to African Americans who do not have traditional access to services
- Access to Recovery (ATR): Provides referrals and vouchers for supportive services to individuals in the process of recovery
- OWI Classes: Three-day program that works to reduce reoccurrence of OWI violation in conjunction with Polk County Courts
S.M.A.R.T. (Skills Modeling And Remedial Training): Skill-building remedial services to help youth overcome symptoms of a mental health diagnosis and improve functioning in the community (6 to 21 years of age)
Social Mediation: Provides consultation and assistance with issues involving race, education, youth conflict and community concerns to any individual or community
Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: Community education and afterschool groups for youth that focuses on culturally-competent pregnancy and HIV/STD prevention (11 to 14 years of age)
Tobacco Cessation Project: Statewide program that works with local coalitions to develop assessments, strategies and services to reduce tobacco usage among African-American populations in Iowa
U-CARE (Urban Children Are Really Essential): Operations in Ames, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Waterloo and Iowa City to examine, compile and implement best practices aimed at reducing disproportionate high school suspension rates for minority students, disproportionate minority incarceration rates and other aspects of Iowa’s rural to urban transition
Wayne Ford Applied Research Institute: A collaborative project with universities and colleges (Simpson College, University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Drake University Law Clinic) that conducts research and best-practice application for issues that affect Iowa’s rural to urban transition
V.O.T.E. (Voting Opportunities Through Education): A statewide non-partisan effort to increase civic engagement in areas with historically low voter turnout
- Iowa Brown & Black Forum: A non-partisan forum that addresses minority issues in presidential, gubernatorial and other elections
West Side Boxing Club: Urban Dreams administers this program, which gives young people an opportunity to learn boxing skills and pro-social behaviors with the Des Moines Police Department
Youth Recreation, Arts & Culture: Offers athletic involvement, sports events, arts and cultural experiences to youth and their families
Youth Safe Haven: A community-based, after-school program for inner-city students to improve academics and establish mentoring relationships (6 to 11 years of age)
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