Highlights from DonorConnect: Pathways to a Vibrant Future
Mar. 27, 2024
Job growth and education are critical to ensuring the region remains competitive, vibrant and thriving and was the topic of the most recent DonorConnect event. Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) and Capital Crossroads Chair Dr. Ian Roberts shared how the recently unveiled Capital Crossroads Roadmap to Opportunity and Prosperity for All highlighted the critical need to leverage impactful, career pathway programs for both students and employers.
“A fundamental goal for our community is to prioritize investments in education and youth,” said DMPS Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts. “The Regional Academy model of Central Campus is a prime example, allowing students across the district to explore their passions and career interests. Working together with key partners, opportunities to focus on job growth and employment-ready learning has allowed us to build the next generation of the workforce.”
Attendees had the unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at Central Campus and learn more about how comprehensive, career-ready education prepares the next generation to flourish into the evolving workforce of the future, thereby creating opportunity and prosperity for all. Key partners, including Avenue Scholars, Central Campus Skilled Trades Academy and Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates, shared how their organizations collaborate to address comprehensive education to best serve area students.
“Educators, and the partners that support them, have a critical role in shaping the potential of young people through impactful programming,” said President of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Kristi Knous. “It is part of our mission to encourage and empower our community’s donors to connect with causes they care about and understand our community’s most pressing needs; amplifying programs that provide career-ready learning is a great example of that, and of our community’s better together spirit as we come around our youth to enusure their success.”
Additional Resources
GIVEdsm is an online resource that provides you with opportunities to learn more about the needs of local nonprofits and consider offering support. You can select your areas of interest and see profiles of available projects. You can also make a gift directly from your Community Foundation charitable giving fund to projects that interest you.
To give to organizations featured at the DonorConnect event and others doing similar work visit GIVEdsm.org and select the employment/workforce development category.
DonorConnect: Pathways to a Vibrant Future is part of a free conversation series designed to bring our community together to learn about and discuss our region’s most pressing issues and promising opportunities. Look for future events by visiting DesMoinesFoundation.org/Events.