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East High in Des Moines is the largest school in Iowa, with 2,230 students. It is home to some of the state’s finest athletes, musicians, scholars and volunteers. In addition to learning algebra and literature, some students also are learning how to give back to their community through volunteering.
East High Cares is a program led by the Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) resident services team. It engages high school students to become more involved with volunteerism and service in three Des Moines neighborhoods.
“For many students, high school life involves either sports or academics. But the students who participate in our program really don’t have a group that they are affiliated with,” says Malai Amfahr, CHI resident and community services director. “Our program provides a place for students to go who do not associate themselves with the traditional cliques.”
In 2012, neighborhood research revealed that residents wanted more youth programs. East High Cares was born in 2014 to meet that need. East High School is located in Des Moines’ urban-core neighborhood, Capital Park. Thanks to a NeighborWorks community impact grant, organizers were able to launch the program and have already seen a difference in the students and the community.
“Our students are learning leadership skills and seeing how their small projects affect the larger community, and the neighborhood has benefitted just by having the students help with these projects,” adds Amfahr.
One of those projects was a large-scale food-packing event in which the students assembled 4,000 dry-meal kits in just one hour. The packages were distributed to families who attended parent-teacher conferences at East High and the local middle and elementary schools. This project was especially meaningful to many of the students, since it helped create awareness of food shortages that many of their neighbors and friends regularly experience.
“East High Cares has taught me that anything I do to help counts, even if it’s a small action,” says Naila, program participant.
Halima, another program participant says, “The program makes me a better person. Volunteering in the community keeps me humble."
Students like 17-year-old Halima and Nalia meet once a week after school to discuss community involvement and volunteerism opportunities. CHI staff works with two East High teachers who help facilitate student-led program activities. The students decide which projects they want to take on, ranging from maintaining a local community garden to working with students from Iowa State University on a climate-change research project.
“I enjoy the program because it helps better the community and the environment. It’s a way we can show that we care about the neighborhood. It’s also a way for me to give back for everything the community has done for me,” says Anna, a program participant.
Amfahr says the number of students participating in the program is increasing and the organization is hoping to create more partnerships with local colleges and other community groups.
“The students are getting something out of it. They feel like it’s their group and they are out there doing special things and this helps feed their self-confidence, leading them to be more well-rounded individuals,” she says.
East High Cares is a program led by the Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) resident services team. It engages high school students to become more involved with volunteerism and service in three Des Moines neighborhoods.
“For many students, high school life involves either sports or academics. But the students who participate in our program really don’t have a group that they are affiliated with,” says Malai Amfahr, CHI resident and community services director. “Our program provides a place for students to go who do not associate themselves with the traditional cliques.”
In 2012, neighborhood research revealed that residents wanted more youth programs. East High Cares was born in 2014 to meet that need. East High School is located in Des Moines’ urban-core neighborhood, Capital Park. Thanks to a NeighborWorks community impact grant, organizers were able to launch the program and have already seen a difference in the students and the community.
“Our students are learning leadership skills and seeing how their small projects affect the larger community, and the neighborhood has benefitted just by having the students help with these projects,” adds Amfahr.
One of those projects was a large-scale food-packing event in which the students assembled 4,000 dry-meal kits in just one hour. The packages were distributed to families who attended parent-teacher conferences at East High and the local middle and elementary schools. This project was especially meaningful to many of the students, since it helped create awareness of food shortages that many of their neighbors and friends regularly experience.“East High Cares has taught me that anything I do to help counts, even if it’s a small action,” says Naila, program participant.
Halima, another program participant says, “The program makes me a better person. Volunteering in the community keeps me humble."
Students like 17-year-old Halima and Nalia meet once a week after school to discuss community involvement and volunteerism opportunities. CHI staff works with two East High teachers who help facilitate student-led program activities. The students decide which projects they want to take on, ranging from maintaining a local community garden to working with students from Iowa State University on a climate-change research project.
“I enjoy the program because it helps better the community and the environment. It’s a way we can show that we care about the neighborhood. It’s also a way for me to give back for everything the community has done for me,” says Anna, a program participant.
Amfahr says the number of students participating in the program is increasing and the organization is hoping to create more partnerships with local colleges and other community groups.
“The students are getting something out of it. They feel like it’s their group and they are out there doing special things and this helps feed their self-confidence, leading them to be more well-rounded individuals,” she says.
