Spring it On is our youth shelter donation drive and a great opportunity for staff to spring into action and provide our shelter youth with basic necessities to make their landing feel just a little bit softer!
Central Rivers AEA provides temporary educational services to students in three youth shelter programs: Four Oaks in Independence, Francis Lauer Youth Shelter (FLYS) in Mason City, and Woodhaven in Waverly.
Our students often come to us with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and if they have a few items, they are usually carried in a garbage bag. Students are typically ages 11-18 and live on-site in a residential facility for anywhere from two to 45 days, sometimes longer.
Students come from a variety of situations including:
- rescued from human trafficking
- removal from an abusive situation by DHS
- awaiting a court date for a criminal charge
- awaiting a foster care placement
Details on items needed and the sign-up sheet can be found on this document. Please consider joining the drive either on your own or with a team (i.e. departments, disciplines, regions) and help us fill suitcases with donated items for the youth shelter kids!