Community Connections
Door Openers – Youth participating in elevate and Opportunity Passport gain access to community Door Openers, which include a variety of discounts on needed services for youth. For example, discounts on senior pictures, discounts on tux rentals and formal wear, connections at local colleges, etc.
Elevate – Successfully established Dubuque’s local elevate chapter, hired a facilitator, established a collaboration with the Dubuque Community Y to host bi-weekly meetings, held the first new member training, engaged the local Juvenile Court Judge and involved the community in the elevate kickoff all in partnership with Children and Families of Iowa. Elevate is a youth-driven program that inspires change, compassion and connection for foster and adoptive youth in Iowa. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 6-8pm at the Dubuque Community Y. Call Kate for more information at 564-9286.
Iowa Youth Dream Team – We were able to offer Dream Team training through DHS. Dream Team is an attempt to shift to more youth-driven, youth–focused meetings and empower the youth to be more engaged in planning their future. Dubuque held its Iowa Youth Dream Team training on June 9, 2008. Over 30 community members were able to participate in this training. Participants of the IYDT training included: 5 youth, 4 of our 6 Family Team Meeting facilitators, a number of DHS social workers, 3 CASA volunteers, 5 system-involved youth and a couple concerned community members. Now that we have some trained individuals in Dubuque, we are prepared to begin offering IYDT to our youth in care. This is a new service that we hope will benefit and empower youth in care. Youth interested in having an Iowa Youth Dream Team can contact their DHS caseworker for more information.
One-stop Website – We continue to explore the concept of a one-stop website. This one-stop website would include information on programs, services, grant opportunities, volunteer opportunities, youth groups, etc. It would be user-friendly and updated regularly to help keep youth and the community informed about the various resources available to youth and youth in care.
Juvenile Judge Engagement - SYV has successfully established a working relationship with Judge Straka Dubuque’s Juvenile Court Judge.
Resource Guide – SYV has created a resource guide for youth in foster care. The guide includes various resources, contacts and definitions. Click here to view the guide.
Youth Activity List - Community Circle of Care, one of the participants of the SYV committee, has worked with local organizations and businesses to create a list of 50 summer activities for youth that are either free or under $5. Click here to view the list.