Visitors to the Young Women’s Resource Center (YWRC) will find a newly remodeled space that Executive Director Heather Soener said provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere to those who come to the nonprofit organization for help.

Founded in 1978, the YWRC opened its new facility on Jan. 1 at 818 Fifth Ave downtown. Following a 10-year stint on East Second Street east of the Des Moines River, the agency hopes that the more centralized location will help attract a greater number of girls and women aged 10 to 21 years.

A large part of the nonprofit’s day-to-day operations revolves around providing prevention services related to pregnancy, tobacco use and sexual abuse of children. The center also offers to young mothers services such as childbirth education, a car seat safety program and individualized case management.

The YWRC already partners with Greater Des Moines middle schools and high schools to teach problem-solving skills to girls on those campuses, and Soener said the organization has identified schools outside the metropolitan area at which it plans to broaden its reach.

“By taking our services out to the community, out to the schools, we are really working to let girls and families know that we are here and available for any needs that they might have,” she said. “All of our services are voluntary, confidential and free, so people can access us anytime they need something.”

With a paid staff of 15 full-time employees and 10 part-time workers, the YWRC also relies on more than 300 volunteers to fulfill its mission “to support, educate and advocate for young women as they experience life’s challenges.”

Its newly leased space was recently refreshed with an updated green and purple color scheme with the help of a marketing makeover grant from McLellan Marketing Group. McLellan also redesigned the center’s website and promotional materials.

Soener said about one-third of the YWRC’s support comes from United Way of Central Iowa. The remainder of its nearly $1 million annual operating budget is made possible by donations from foundations and corporations, as well as by private giving and fund-raising events.

– Todd Razor