United Way of Story County and the New Docu-Series “The Hero Effect” Bring Attention to Youth Empowerment
A new inspirational docu-series, The Hero Effect, is airing on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) on Saturday, December 10 at 9:00 a.m. CST with an episode highlighting a United Way-supported restaurant and culinary training facility that provides a positive environment for teens recently released from juvenile detention. In anticipation of the show, United Way Story County today announced that over 1,200 at-risk kids in Story County have been impacted by its work with local partner agencies by providing tools to help these youth cultivate healthy relationships, having access to volunteering opportunities, and offering support for crucial mentoring programs, with the goal of helping them achieve their fullest potential.
The second episode of The Hero Effect, appearing this month, will highlight Café Momentum, a restaurant and culinary training facility in Dallas, Texas, that provides a positive environment for teens recently released from juvenile detention centers. The episode showcases Chad Houser, who left his career as a fine dining chef to help equip his employees with job and life skills mentoring, that include leadership, social, vocational, financial, parenting and anger management skills.
“It’s wonderful to see all of the resources available in Story County aimed at helping youth succeed through mentoring, employment skills assistance, and preventative programs,” said Jean Kresse, president and CEO of UWSC. “The Hero Effect highlights the importance of these programs through Chad Houser’s story.”
Each episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to visit www.HeroEffect.com and connect with their local United Way or other community-based organizations to create positive change.
Resources available in Story County for at risk youth include:
YSS Youth Employment – Provides support and assistance with: job readiness skills; job applications; time management skills; creating a resume, cover letter and work on professional references; interview preparation; job search skills; communication skills; enhancing organization skills; and life skills (budgeting, cost of living, etc.). Programming is provided through group/school presentations and developing business partnerships to help youth get a start in their professional careers. For more information, call (515)-233-3141 or visit http://www.yss.ames.ia.us/.
YSS Mentoring - Each youth is matched with an adult on a weekly basis for mentoring; the mentoring is focused on creating and maintaining strong relationships. For more information, call (515) 233-3141 or visit http://www.yss.ames.ia.us/.
Boys & Girls Club of Story County - Leadership development through planning teen nights, coordinating service projects in the community, and deciding which opportunities to engage in; Homework assistance and tutoring; Physical fitness activities; healthy meals and snacks. For more information call (515) 233-1872 or visit http://www.bgcstorycounty.org/.
The Hero Effect is an uplifting docu-series that tells the stories of ordinary individuals who are making extraordinary differences in their communities. Each episode is shot on location in different communities across the country, celebrating everyday heroes that facilitate beneficial, life-changing impact on the people around them.
Carolyn Jons of Story County will be featured in an episode scheduled to air on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Jons was nominated by UWSC for the series and was chosen by United Way Worldwide to be featured for her work in building literacy in Story County. Jons is a co-founder of Raising Readers in Story County and a member of their board of directors. She is also a member of Ames Reads and has long been instrumental in advancing school readiness, grade-level reading, and school attendance in our community.
The Hero Effect airs monthly on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CST and is co-hosted by former Super Bowl Champion Donald Driver and actress/advocate Emily Wilson.
UWSC is a strategic leader in building countywide partnerships to identify needs and to develop, support and evaluate effective human services, especially in the areas of education, income and health for our diverse community.