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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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Children Are Our Future

Encouraging Kids to Be
Their Best Selves

We offer safe, nurturing environments and enriching opportunities
that help them grow and thrive.

Donate Now

Studies show that children with positive role models in their lives consistently demonstrate better behavior, stronger academic performance and higher self-esteem than those without similar influencers.

Our array of programs allow both teenagers and younger children to connect with positive adult mentors, build character and leadership skills, and enjoy socializing with their peers.

Kids right here in central Iowa face a number of threats and challenging circumstances, including poverty and broken homes.

We seek to provide a haven for kids and teenagers, offering safe places in the Des Moines metro for them to engage in music and arts programming, and character building classes, as well as the opportunity to grow in leadership and meet new people in an encouraging environment. We offer something of interest for kids of all ages.


The Salvation Army of Des Moines empowers youth through:

Character Building Programs

We offer multiple programs at Citadel and Temple specifically geared toward building the characters of young people. We provide students in prekindergarten through 12th grade the opportunity to develop strong communication and leadership skills, explore God's Word and His world, and connect with people their age.

Arts and Music Programs

Our music and art programs at Citadel teach kids how to play the guitar or timbrel, allow them to sing in a choir, and learn about drama and acting. Learn more.

Summer Camps

During the summer, kids ages 5-12 who are enrolled in Citadel's day camp enjoy crafts, music, library visits, field trips and swimming. An enhanced reading program also helps kids develop and maintain strong literacy skills.

The Salvation Army Western Plains Camp, located in South Sioux City, Nebraska, offers a number of overnight camp opportunities for kids and teens in first through 12th grades, as well as a starter day camp for pre-elementary school children.

Bible Study and Youth Ministry

Pre-teen and teens are invited to join Citadel's Corps Cadets, a training program and discipleship course focused on spiritual growth, developing leadership skills, deepening knowledge of Salvation Army history and providing evangelism training.

Learn more about the additional youth ministry and Bible study classes offered at Citadel and Temple.

You can help give every child opportunities to thrive.

helps .

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Spread the Word

Turn your passion into action. Share these facts with your friends and
followers to educate and inspire change.

Low-income students are most likely to fall behind their expected grade level.

A donation to The Salvation Army supports youth development programs that provide an enriching environment for kids while school is out.

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1 out of 5 kids in America is alone and unsupervised between 3 and 6 p.m.

A donation to The Salvation Army supports youth development programs that provide positive adult mentors in a safe environment.

Donate now.

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Many kids don't have the opportunity to explore nature or enjoy outdoor activities.

A donation to The Salvation Army supports summer camps for youth who might otherwise not enjoy activities like swimming, fishing, archery and hiking.

Donate now.

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Other Ways We Meet Needs