March Mentor Training

We are going to hold our next mentor training on Monday, March 31 from 6:00p – 9:00pm at Polk County Youth Services in Des Moines (1548 Hull Ave. in Des Moines).  To RSVP contact Shane Vander Hart by e-mail or at (515) 321-5077.

Our mentor training is free and attendees can expect to learn:

• Roles and expectations of mentors

• Details about SOY’s mentoring program (policies & procedures and screening and matching process)

• Qualities of a successful mentor

• Characteristics of the kids we serve.

• How mentors help kids through asset-building.

• How to communicate well with mentees.

Technorati Tags: mentor training,Des Moines,prospective mentors

Update Today Radio Interview

Shane Vander Hart, our Director of Ministries & Volunteer Development was on Update Today with Maxine Sieleman (pictured on the left) on Praise 940 AM.  You can listen to the interview online here or download the program here.

 

http://www.archive.org/download/KPSZPraise940AM-DesMoinesRadioGroupUpdateTodayInterview-08-01-29/updatetodayinterview080129.mp3

Technorati Tags: Praise 940 AM,Maxine Sieleman,Shane Vander Hart,Serve Our Youth Network,radio interview,Des Moines,Iowa

Upcoming Mentor Trainings

Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 6:30pm to 9:30pm at First Baptist Church in Winterset (1305 W. Jefferson in Winterset).  To RSVP contact Barb Shultz.

Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 9:00am to 12:00pm at Polk County Youth Services in Des Moines (1548 Hull Ave. in Des Moines).  To RSVP contact Shane Vander Hart.

These trainings are free, and attendees will learn:

• Roles and expectations of mentors
• Details about SOY’s mentoring program (policies & procedures and screening and matching process)
• Qualities of a successful mentor
• Characteristics of the kids we serve.
• How mentors help kids through asset-building.
• How to communicate well with mentees.

Technorati Tags: Mentor Training,Winterset,Des Moines

Save The Date! 4th Annual Spring Banquet (Update – 1/21/08)

Will be on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 6:30pm.  Our speaker will be Barry Griswell, the CEO of Principal Financial Group.  The location is TBA, and more details will follow.  In the meantime, mark your calendars!

Update 1/21/08: It will be held at the Holiday Inn NW on Merle Hay Road in Des Moines.

Technorati Tags: Barry Griswell,Principal Financial Group,Des Moines,Iowa,Fundraising Banquet,Serve Our Youth Network

Restorative Justice – Turning Hope Into Action

By Bernie Van Roekel

I am privileged to have the opportunity to participate in a youth justice planning committee that is coordinating a “Restorative Justice” special event in Central Iowa.  The concept of Restorative Justice (RJ) emphasizes restoring the harm caused by criminal behavior and involves all stakeholders in the crime.  There are numerous illustrations where RJ has transformed the lives of people involved with the RJ process.  Howard Zehr, recognized as the “Grandfather of Restorative Justice,” will be the keynote speaker at this Restorative Justice Conference.  Applications of the RJ concepts in schools, community, and correctional/criminal justice settings will be addressed at this conference.  I encourage anyone who is interested in youth and/or the concept of Restorative Justice to seriously consider participating in this opportunity.

This workshop, Restorative Justice: Turning Hope Into Action be held on Friday, March 7, 2008 at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines, IA.  Learn more about this excellent training opportuning – to download the workshop flyer just click the link below.

Restorative Justice: Turning Hope Into Action Flyer

Bernie Van Roekel is the Executive Director for Serve Our Youth Network.  He joined SOY’s staff in 2005, and has worked with young people as a teacher, coach and school administrator for over 34 years.

Technorati Tags: Restorative Justice,Iowa,Des Moines,Howard Zehr

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