Urban Dreams

A huge thank you to the amazing volunteers from HILDRETH CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C., Delta Dental of Iowa, OneDigital, and Focused Wiring, who volunteered with us last week! Thanks to their hard work, our Prairie Meadows E-Sports lab is now freshly deep cleaned, organized, and equipped with newly mounted TVs and custom-built shelves. Their support helps keep our space running smoothly and looking great for everyone who uses it. We’re incredibly grateful for their time, skills, and generosity!

For the last 40 years, we've been partnering with Des Moines Public Schools by working inside schools, providing staff at football and basketball games, and hosting school board forums. One of our most impactful programs is welcoming middle school students into our building, where they work one-on-one or in small groups with teachers. After an incredible academic week, they celebrated their success with a well-deserved pizza party! We’re honored to be part of the DMPS community and love seeing students grow and thrive!

?? Help us get nominated for Best Non-Profit Organization in Des Moines! ?? This year, Urban Dreams is celebrating 40 years of serving the community, and what better way to honor that milestone than by being recognized in the Des Moines' People's Choice Awards? ?? If our work has made a difference to you or someone you know, please take a moment to nominate us for Best Nonprofit Organization! Nominations are open now through April 16 at 5 PM! Here’s how to nominate us: 1. Visit the nominations page ---> https://lnkd.in/ePtrvT4N 2. Enter Wellmark Urban Dreams Community Center 4. Scroll down to the Services category, then select Nonprofit Organization 5. Hit Submit – that’s it! You can submit nominations once per day, so we’d appreciate your support as often as you can. Every nomination helps us celebrate 40 years of impact and community connection! Thank you for Helping Us Help Others! ??

?? Community Impact Spotlight! Thanks to our amazing community partners, we’ve seen incredible growth in our food pantry’s reach! ???? In just one year: Food pantry visits grew from 8,830 (2023) to 22,795 (2024) – a 158% increase! Pounds of food distributed skyrocketed from 77,876 (2023) to 270,823 (2024) – a 248% increase! This impact wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors. We’d like to highlight our Partner of the Week: Kum & Go - #2212, #4020, & #570. Between the 3 stores, Kum & Go contributed 23,108 lbs of food in 2024, helping nourish many families in need. Thank you, Kum & Go, and all our generous donors for making a difference every single day! Together, we are building a stronger, more nourished community! ??

Raise a glass and sip to the future as Winefest Des Moines and Urban Dreams partner together for a one-of-a-kind Sip for the Future Wine Flight! This special event will feature a guided wine flight showcasing the innovative and refreshing Bodkin Wines, crafted by Chris Christensen, a Black-owned winemaker with Iowa roots. The night will feature four wines that will be thoughtfully paired with four family-style dishes from Gateway Market & Cafe, designed to complement the vibrant flavors in every glass. Beyond the incredible wine and food, this event is about giving back. For 40 years, we've been breaking down barriers, uplifting underserved communities, and creating opportunities for success. Together, we’re raising a glass to our missions and the important work we do in Des Moines and beyond. Come sip, savor, and support a brighter future for our community! Ages 21+ Purchase your tickets with the link below!

?? Happy Birthday, Chance! ?? Chance is an essential part of the Dream Team, ensuring our food pantry stays stocked by picking up donations in the community. Thank you, Chance, for all that you do to Help Us Help Others! We appreciate your commitment, energy, and the positive impact you make. Join us in wishing Chance a fantastic birthday! ??

?? Team FrostByte is taking the stage at the 2025 Iowa Technology Summit! ?? For the past year, these talented high school students from Des Moines have been using our Prairie Meadows E-Sports Lab as their home base, tackling real-world challenges through NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's App Development Challenge (ADC). Now, they’re bringing their journey to the Iowa Technology Summit, hosted by the Technology Association of Iowa, to share how they’ve pushed the boundaries of innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration with NASA engineers. Not only have they pushed the boundaries of technology, but they’ve also founded a 3D Modeling Club at Urban Dreams to inspire and empower younger students. We are proud to support them as they give back, investing in the next generation of innovators and proving that the future of STEM starts right here in Des Moines! Check out the session details here! ---> https://lnkd.in/gNyrTQVr

Join us for a mural unveiling at the Wellmark Urban Dreams Community Center! Created by the talented local artist Indigo Moore, this vibrant artwork reflects the spirit and unity of our community. Date: Thursday, April 17th Time: 4 pm - Doors open, 4:30 pm - Presentation & remarks Address: Wellmark Urban Dreams Community Center - 1615 2nd Ave. Des Moines, IA 50314 RSVP here ---> https://lnkd.in/g6uREBAa

?? Giving Back to Our Community! ?? One of our incredible food pantry staff members has gone above and beyond by donating baby kits to support families in need! These kits, now available at our pantry, include Vitamin D, Tummy Relief, and teething drops—helping little ones stay happy and healthy. If you or someone you know could use a baby kit, visit our pantry at 1615 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314. We’re open Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM and ready to serve our community with care. ??

Our Executive Director, Izaah JB Knox, has been named one of Iowa’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders by the Corridor Business Journal! ?? This recognition highlights Izaah's unwavering dedication to empowering communities, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities for all. Join us in celebrating this well-deserved honor!