YouthPort

YouthPort combines the efforts & unites the missions of three organizations to help families in need. Three Organizations, One Amazing Mission! Amazing things!

What happens when you combine Tanager Place, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor, and YPN? Through YouthPort, our three organizations have combined efforts and united missions, helping families in need better connect to needed resources in the Marion, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City corridor. The goal of YouthPort is to maximize the strengths and resources of the three organizations involved, empowering

them to directly meet the needs of children and families in low-economic neighborhoods throughout the Corridor. This service-referral program streamlines the services offered at each agency to the individuals in the neighborhoods demonstrating the highest levels of need. History:

YouthPort originally launched as a pilot program in 2012, after the closing of a northeast Cedar Rapids school. After witnessing so much success with the pilot program, Tanager Place, Boys & Girls Clubs of of the Corridors and YPN created a formal agreement to continue the program and YouthPort was born, giving our community greater access to resources. Future:

Together our organizations will work together to enhance and strengthen our communities, one family at a time. Want to join us? Become a corporate sponsor, share your passion as a volunteer or donate. Need assistance? Email us and we’ll be happy to help!

10/23/2025

We’re excited to share that the City of Cedar Rapids officially proclaimed October 23, 2025 as Lights On for Afterschool! 💡

Show your support for afterschool programs like YouthPort's 21st Century Learning Centers by turning on your porch light on tonight (10/23) and sharing a photo in the comments below! 📸 Let’s light up our community together and celebrate the impact of afterschool programs on kids’ learning, growth, and fun! 💛

09/25/2025

Congratulations to Taryn Kurth, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor's Olivet Unit Director, for being recognized for 5 years of dedicated service at the Iowa Afterschool Alliance's Impact Afterschool Conference! 🌟

Taryn’s dedication goes far beyond the walls of the Club—she helps shape bright futures every day through her commitment to afterschool programs in Iowa. Thank you for making a lasting impact on the youth in our community! 💙💛

05/16/2025

Last week, our partners from Tanager, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor, and YPN came together for a powerful wellness training: The Power of Pause, led by Michelle from Radiant Wellness Solutions. 💆‍♀️🧠✨

Michelle walked us through the science behind how our brains and bodies respond to stress, taught simple techniques to help regulate the nervous system, and led us through a deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra experience. 🧘‍♂️💤

Our teams left feeling refreshed and equipped with practical tools they can use every day—both for themselves and in their work with youth and families. 🙌

Big thanks to Michelle for sharing your wisdom and helping us prioritize wellness in the work we do! 💛

04/04/2025

👏 Shoutout to our partners at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor and the awesome students from Iowa BIG for creating unforgettable moments at the Olivet Unit last week! From egg-on-a-spoon races 🥚🥄 to balloon relays with fly swatters 🎈🪰, the Club kids had a blast thanks to your energy and creativity.

At YouthPort, we believe strong community partnerships are key to expanding opportunities and support for youth. Through the power of collaboration—and funding from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) grant—we’re able to offer enriching, hands-on experiences that keep kids engaged, learning, and thriving outside of school hours.

📸 Check out the Boys & Girls Clubs’ original post below and celebrate the power of partnership in action!

YouthPort is a collaboration combining the expertise of three well-established organizations, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor, Tanager and YPN. Together the three organizations share resources to provide services to families in our community who are most in need.

03/27/2025

🎉 We love seeing our partners at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor creating fun and meaningful moments during spring break! Through our 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) grant, we work together to provide enrichment opportunities that support the whole child—socially, emotionally, and academically. Games like UNO aren’t just entertaining—they help youth build important life skills like strategy, patience, emotional regulation, and sportsmanship. 👏🃏

03/13/2025

🌟 Shoutout to our amazing partner, YPN! 🌟

Through Decategorization funding, they were able to provide 39 hours of parenting education across 6 programs in January and 37 hours across 8 programs in February! 👏 Some of these programs were offered virtually to help reduce barriers and make support more accessible for families.

These programs are available for families with children ages 0-18, empowering parents with valuable skills and resources to build strong foundations for their children.

Interested in learning more? Call the YPN office at 319-364-8909 to find out more about their programs.

YouthPort is a collaboration combining the expertise of three well-established organizations, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor, Tanager and YPN. Together the three organizations share resources to provide services to families in our community who are most in need.

03/08/2025

Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day, honoring the strength, resilience, and achievements of women around the world! 💜

At YouthPort, we recognize the incredible impact of women in education, mental health, and community leadership. From mentors and teachers to caregivers and advocates, women shape the future for our youth every day.

✨ How can you celebrate today?

💡 Lift up the young girls in your life with words of encouragement
📚 Learn about a woman in history who paved the way for change
🤝 Support a local organization that uplifts women and families

💬 Tag a woman who has inspired you and share what makes her amazing! ⬇️

03/07/2025

📚 Emotional Intelligence

🧠💬 Teaching kids to name their emotions helps them manage feelings better!

Try using an emotion check-in: Ask kids, “How are you feeling today?” and encourage them to describe it beyond just "good" or "bad."

🎨 For younger kids: Use emojis or a mood chart to help them express emotions.

📝 For older kids: Have them write or talk about why they feel that way.

Building emotional intelligence helps kids grow into strong, self-aware individuals! 💙

03/04/2025

🌿 Mindfulness Moment! 🌿

Taking just a few minutes to pause and breathe can help kids (and adults!) manage stress and stay focused. Try this:
1️⃣ Close your eyes
2️⃣ Take a deep breath in for 4 seconds
3️⃣ Hold for 4 seconds
4️⃣ Exhale slowly for 6 seconds

💡 Encourage kids to use this simple breathing technique before tests, during stressful moments, or just to reset during the day!

✨ Looking for more breathing exercises? Check out these additional techniques to help kids relax: https://copingskillsforkids.com/deep-breathing-exercises-for-kids

Tag a friend who could use a mindfulness break! ✨

03/03/2025

🌟 SEL Week Kickoff Post 🌟

📢 It’s Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Week! 🎉
SEL helps kids build essential life skills—like managing emotions, showing empathy, and making responsible decisions. These skills set the foundation for lifelong success! 💙

💬 What’s one SEL skill you think every child should learn? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️

Address

420 6th Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA
52401

Telephone

+13196404577

Website

http://www.youthport.org/

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