Raise The Bar Initiative

Raise The Bar Initiative It is our mission to educate and provide opportunities for every woman to develop strength. Strong women build strong communities!

We do this by creating experiences that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

We're thrilled to be partnering with the The IOWA Foundation to offer our second year of youth camps this summer! 🤩 Desi...
05/29/2026

We're thrilled to be partnering with the The IOWA Foundation to offer our second year of youth camps this summer! 🤩 Designed for 7th to 12th grade girls, participants will learn proper weight lifting techniques and methods to set themselves up for success in the gym. An added bonus? Developing invaluable life skills, fostering confidence and resilience! We are offering sessions June 15th through June 25th in Des Moines and Bondurant. For more information visit the link below! 💪

https://dmps.revtrak.net/Community-Ed-Classes/ #/list

Behind every successful Women’s Barbell Classic are people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen — ...
05/27/2026

Behind every successful Women’s Barbell Classic are people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen — and this year, we are incredibly grateful for one of those people.

This year’s WBC was our biggest event to date, and we truly could not have done it without Isaac Vandersee. From serving as a project manager for our team in the months leading up to the event to helping navigate the countless details that come with an event of this scale, he poured in so much time, energy, and care to help make WBC a success.

When asked why he chose to get involved with RBI, he shared:

“I was introduced to Raise the Bar and Abbie through a work event touring their space. I was inspired by the mission of helping people feel more comfortable and confident in spaces that may have once felt intimidating. Staying active in the gym has always helped me feel my best, so it’s meaningful to support an organization that creates those same opportunities and experiences for others.”

Thank you, Isaac, for believing in our mission and for the countless hours you gave to help create an unforgettable experience for hundreds of women this year. We are so grateful for you. 💜

Join us in welcoming Jade Dilliner to the Raise the Bar Initiative Board of Directors! 🏋️‍♀️💜Jade’s connection to RBI st...
05/26/2026

Join us in welcoming Jade Dilliner to the Raise the Bar Initiative Board of Directors! 🏋️‍♀️💜

Jade’s connection to RBI started as an athlete at the Women’s Barbell Classic, grew through volunteering, and expanded into coaching through our HERoic program — making her journey with RBI especially meaningful. Her passion for mental health and the connection between physical and emotional well-being brings a valuable perspective to our organization. We’re excited to have Jade continue making an impact in this new role!

We’re excited to welcome Kayla Burkett to the Raise the Bar Initiative Board of Directors! 💪Kayla is passionate about bu...
05/23/2026

We’re excited to welcome Kayla Burkett to the Raise the Bar Initiative Board of Directors! 💪

Kayla is passionate about building strong communities, creating meaningful connections, and helping people thrive — values that sit at the core of RBI’s mission. Her perspective on strength, resilience, and well-being makes her an incredible addition to our board as we continue expanding opportunities for girls and women to grow through movement and community. We’re so glad to have Kayla on the RBI team!

Join us in celebrating 35 years of community! 🎉We’re excited to be part of a special open house celebrating 35 years in ...
05/22/2026

Join us in celebrating 35 years of community! 🎉

We’re excited to be part of a special open house celebrating 35 years in business for Meyer Chiropractic and Performance !

Stop by to connect with local health and wellness businesses, meet members of the community, and help celebrate a business that has been making an impact for more than three decades.

Plus, there will be a raffle fundraiser benefiting Raise the Bar Initiative, helping us continue to create opportunities for girls and women to build physical, mental, and emotional strength through community and connection. 💜

Come say hello, support local, and celebrate together!

📍 2020 Grand Ave, Suite 200, West Des Moines
📅 Saturday, May 30th
⏰ 11:00A - 2:00P

RSVP at the link below! 🔗
https://go.meyerchiroandperformance.com/35thanniversaryrsvp

Please help us welcome Mary Koger to the Raise the Bar Initiative Board of Directors! 💜Mary brings a deep background in ...
05/21/2026

Please help us welcome Mary Koger to the Raise the Bar Initiative Board of Directors! 💜

Mary brings a deep background in leadership, strategy, and helping people navigate growth and change — but what excites us most is her passion for empowering others to recognize their own strength and potential. Her commitment to creating supportive, people-centered environments aligns so closely with the heart of RBI.
We’re honored to have Mary helping us continue building strong women and strong communities.

Strong today. Strong tomorrow. Strong for life. 💪During Women’s Health Month, we’re reminding women that strength traini...
05/21/2026

Strong today. Strong tomorrow. Strong for life. 💪

During Women’s Health Month, we’re reminding women that strength training isn’t just about getting stronger in the gym — it’s about building a healthier future.

As we age, strength training helps support bone density, muscle mass, balance, mobility, and independence. It’s one of the most powerful things women can do to support long-term health.

You don’t have to lift heavy to start. You just have to start. Because healthy aging starts with strength. 🔥

Please join us in celebrating a special milestone for a member of the RBI team! 🎉Last week, our Chief Marketing Officer,...
05/20/2026

Please join us in celebrating a special milestone for a member of the RBI team! 🎉

Last week, our Chief Marketing Officer, Melissa Veenstra, graduated from the LEAD DSM Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute.

At RBI, we believe strong communities are built by strong women and strong leaders. Melissa’s commitment to growth, collaboration, and community leadership reflects the values we strive to live out every day. We’re grateful for the passion and perspective she brings to RBI and we're excited to see how this experience continues to strengthen our mission and impact across Greater Des Moines.

Congratulations, Melissa! 💛

Calling all volunteers! Our friends at the Young Women's Resource Center are in need of some muscle ahead of their annua...
05/15/2026

Calling all volunteers! Our friends at the Young Women's Resource Center are in need of some muscle ahead of their annual book sale - and who better to ask than our amazing community! 💪 Read on for more details!

Help Needed: Pallet Unloaders
➡ Tuesday, May 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
➡ 4H Exhibit Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
➡ Pallet unloaders take boxes of books off pallets and place them on designated tables. Unloaders must be able to lift boxes up onto tables. Boxes range approximately from 30 – 50 lbs.
➡ Volunteers must be 18 or older

If you have the time and talent to help we'd be truly grateful. Sign up at the link below:

https://iowasbiggestbooksaleinc.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=109240

We want to take a moment to recognize and thank our outgoing Board Members for their dedication, leadership, and service...
05/14/2026

We want to take a moment to recognize and thank our outgoing Board Members for their dedication, leadership, and service to Raise the Bar Initiative 💛

Behind every program, event, and opportunity we create for girls and women in our community are people who believe deeply in this mission — and our board members have helped make that impact possible.

Thank you for the time, heart, and countless hours you’ve invested in helping us build strong women so they can build strong communities. Your influence on RBI and our community will continue to be felt for years to come.

Please join us in thanking Ivy Sprague, Sarah Otte, Ashley Artzer and Stacey Robles for their service and commitment to our mission 👏

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Des Moines, IA
50309

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