Community Support Advocates

06/14/2026

Thank you Big Grove Foundation for helping fund the public art installation for our Open Books Campaign with a $500 Community Betterment Grant.

We are looking forward to bringing this idea to life!

06/12/2026

Our Knowledge Empowers Youth program focuses on early intervention and establishing healthy patterns early on.

It helps reduce the need for more intensive services later in life, using goal setting, mentorship, education and resource sharing to build skills and increase independence.

06/11/2026

📅Expanded Hours!!

Have you ever wanted to come explore our Momentum Arts studio - but couldn't because we're only open during the work week?

That's all changing starting next week.

Join us for our very first Saturday at Momentum on June 20th!

Going forward we'll be open Wed-Sat. 10-4 at our studio ( #109) in Mainframe Studios, 900 Keo Way, downtown Des Moines.

Our studio is open to anyone who self identifies as having a mental health condition or disability. Come by and check it out!

06/10/2026

KEY serves young adults ages 17.5 - 25 and is a goals-based program focused on boosting independent living skills and preparing young adults to become successful members of the community.

06/09/2026

Is it even summer without some sidewalk chalk art masterpieces?

This Momentum Arts group took to the streets for a bit of a temporary beautification project.

If this isn't a sign to stop scrolling and soak up some summer memories, I don't know what is.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

06/04/2026

Join us tomorrow for First Friday!

We'll be hanging out at Mainframe Studios #103 & 109 on the first floor down the hall from the big room.

This month's artist exhibtion is from Freedom Andrews:

Freedom Andrew is a multifaceted artist who enjoys creating different forms of art from writing, music, drawing, painting and more. Utilizing art, not just as entertainment, but assisting in Spiritual evolution with the art he creates. This series of paintings is called "The Teal Series" that tells a story of Freedom Andrews life and shows the remembrance of the seven laws of hermeticism and how he used them to create his own life.

Free and open to the public - plus you'll get to enjoy the plethora of other amazing artists with studio space at Mainframe. Don't miss out!

06/03/2026

Knowledge Empowers Youth (otherwise known as KEY) is our program spotlight for the month of June!

Started many years ago to address the gap in care for young adults aging out of the foster care system, this program addresses the unique mental health, physical wellbeing and social needs of young people and their families as they transition into adulthood.

What's one piece of advice you would give your 18 year old self?

06/02/2026

This is important work!! Let your voice be heard and help develop our next State Plan for Independent Living.

The State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is a required plan in order for a state to receive federal Part C and federal Part B funding for Independent Living Services.

06/02/2026

We're so excited to announce Peggy Huppert as our Moderator for our first open books event: How Support Actually Works.

Peggy is a fantastic advocate for mental health and served for over 7 years at the Executive Director for NAMI Iowa.

She'll be helping field audience questions and direct the conversation.

If you're interested in learning more about the mental health system and have questions you'd like answered at our event, please use our form to submit what you'd like addressed: https://forms.gle/TZUhdZyfP9ayAMBHA

06/01/2026

Our annual T Shirt Contest in now open! Submissions will be accepted through June 30th so be sure to submit your designs for this year's T Shirt Design! Winner will received a $250 reward! Follow the link below:
https://form.jotform.com/261484669267169