Welcome to Freedom for Youth Ministries’ Website. God birthed this ministry in 2004 through an 18-year-old girl found living under a bridge in downtown Des Moines. Since then the ministry has grown to include after-school programming for inner-city youth ages 6-17 at our Freedom Center campus, transitional housing for young adults ages 18-22, and youth centers in rural communities of Iowa.

Watch the video and peruse the information to see that God’s plan to rescue our lost and hurting youth in Iowa is nothing short of miraculous! Jesus Christ is our foundation, our leader and the core of what we teach. To Him be all honor and glory and praise. Our mission can only be accomplished through His church as fellow believers come to serve and bring gifts. If God is touching your heart to get involved, we would love to visit with you!

– Mark Nelson, Executive Director

It has been so exciting to watch God at work! Thanks for your help in picking up, filling, and returning the bags to make all of this possible! The results of the August 3rd Back to School Health Fair at East High School include:

• 3,000 beautifully designed backpacks (through Dee Zee Manufacturing, in Ankeny) were filled by more than 24 Des Moines area churches with grade-appropriate school supplies.

• Approximately 2,400 backpacks were handed out to students from all around the Greater Des Moines Community, and all of these students received a medical exam or screening to ready them for school.

• The remainder of the bags were given to a church headed to Joplin, MO, to assist in tornado relief.

• Joshua Christian Academy, the Des Moines Public Charter School, and La Clinica also received backpacks and supplies.

• Each backpack came with a letter giving glory to God and included a list of the all of the churches who helped to fill these bags. Our prayer is that these students and families would desire to plug into your church families and learn more about the life-changing power of God’s love.
  

Our current operating budget is roughly $56,000 per month. Contributions are received primarily from a broad base of individuals who make up 70% of the total giving. The remaining 30% comes from the church mission budgets, corporate and private foundations. The ministry does not pursue any government funds, which we believe would compromise the mission of the ministry. The ministry has no long term debt.

With minimal administrative and fund raising expenses, your gift will directly impact the lives of the youth we serve. Click the DONATE button below to give today!