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Children and Family
Urban Ministries
1548 Eighth Street
P.O. Box 41125
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 282-3242
Email info@cfum.org
Programs at Children and Family Urban Ministries
The Breakfast Club is a year-round breakfast program for children, serving an average of 80 children during the school year, and an average of 50 children during the summer months. Recognizing that a hungry child does not learn, and that many working families cannot afford before-school child care, The Breakfast Club was established in 1968. It provides a meal and a safe, nurturing environment for children and youth, most of whom attend Moulton Extended Learning Center. Open 6:30-8:05 am on days Moulton is in session and Mon-Fri during fall, spring and summer breaks from 6:30-8:30 am.
Raymond Day is a special designated Friday at the Breakfast Club. Raymond loved everyone; you could see it in his smile and in the twinkle in his eyes. Raymond saw kids at their best and at their worst, and he loved them no matter what. After he retired and was no longer at the school Raymond still wanted to remind each kid that they were special, so he began giving a quarter to every kid he saw. He carried so many quarters in his pockets that his wife, Barb, was forever having to mend his pockets. In honor of Raymond and to remind kids that they are special, every month we have a "Raymond Day" at the Breakfast Club. On this selected Friday each child receives a quarter to spend on Friday treats at school to let them know they are special. You are invited to contribute to this tradition by providing quarters for Raymond Day.
Power Hour is a time dedicated to improving academics at the Breakfast Club. The second and fourth Thursdays of the month children are encouraged to read, do math facts, work on skills like telling time, and counting money. Volunteers are needed for the one-on-one work that such days demand. The Breakfast Club meets from 6:30-8:00 a.m. Other needs for the Power Hour include gently used or new books for children to take home and incentive prizes given at the end of every Power Hour to selected students.
The Supper Club provides an evening meal six days a week for 80-120 adults and children. Many of the guests at the meal, served Monday-Saturday, are members of the working poor. The meal primarily is provided by local congregations and faithful volunteers. Open 4:30 p.m. Mon-Sat. Meal served at 4:45 pm, seconds at 5:15 pm, cleanup at 5:30 pm. Volunteers needed 4:15-6:00 pm.
The Haven is an after-school program during the school year which offers homework, reading, math, computer help, recreation and creative self-expression for grade-school children. Enrollment is limited and attendance averages 40 children each day. Open 3:00-5:30 pm on days Moulton is in session, followed by Supper Club. Volunteers needed 2:45-5:00 pm.
Haven, Too is an after-school program designed to meet the needs of middle school youth while maintaining the same structure as The Haven. Enrollment to this program is also limited with average attendance of 15. Open 3:00-5:30 pm on days Moulton is in session, followed by Supper Club. Volunteers and guest speakers are needed from 2:45 - 5:00.
The Power Peso Store is held once a month for children enrolled in The Haven and Haven, Too. Children earn pesos as incentives for working on academics during the regular program time. At the Power Peso Store children can "buy" things with the pesos they have earned. Donation items of varied values are needed to stock the store.
Awesome Summer Days takes place Monday through Friday during the Moulton summer break. Educational components such as reading, writing, computer skills and math fill the mornings with art, cultural activities, field trips and recreation time finishing off the day. Volunteers are welcome for any part of the day, but especially in the mornings with the educational activities.
Awesome Days is provided for children during school breaks, following the Moulton Extended Learning Center calendar. This program offers fun, learning and recreation to children and youth.
The Back-to-School Health Fair is held annually in July, in collaboration with Trinity United Methodist Church, Las Americas de Communidad and the Grubb YMCA, to offer school and athletic physicals, provide booths for helping agencies to offer resources to families in the neighborhood, and to distribute school supplies. Entertainment is provided throughout with a cookout and worship service to complete the afternoon.
Backyard Boys, The Whyld Girls and The Wonder Girls are gender-specific programs for boys and girls, respectively. Backyard Boys focuses on boys in grades 5 through 8, and for girls The Whyld Girls focuses on grades 6 through 8, and the Wonder Girls on grades 4 and 5. The programs are designed to encourage healthy self-development of children in upper elementary and middle school, a critical transition time for children. Each of the programs meets weekly throughout the school year and utilizes a wide variety of community resources to accomplish its goals.
Friday Fun Night is a special evening of creativity and fun involving children in the neighborhood with students from Grinnell College on Friday nights during the school year.
A Winter Clothing Closet furnishes mittens, hats, coats, shoes and boots to children and adults in need.
Winter and Spring Talent Shows showcase the gifts of the children, building their confidence and nurturing self-esteem.
Special Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinners are served family-style, bringing massive numbers of volunteers together with 100-150 members of the community for feast and fellowship on these special holidays.
A neighborhood Christmas Celebration allows children to share in the wonder, drama and music of the story of the birth of Jesus. Traditional holiday foods are enjoyed; families, churches and other organizations may "adopt" families for Christmas.
A neighborhood Easter Party is another special celebration held annually. We begin with a program in the sanctuary followed by pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts, cookies and punch, along with an egg hunt. Volunteers are needed to help with the party.