Let Kindness Be Our Legacy

Free art workshops began in a small, rented basement office space under a strip mall in 2013, with participants referred through Polk County Department of Juvenile Justice. Leadership of young people shaped the program. When a participant requested a specific arts discipline, ArtForce Iowa staff and volunteers found professional practicing artists to mentor them. Training for mentors was limited to Motivational Interviewing: a microcounseling skill meant to evoke and support intrinsically motivated positive change. Staff and mentors sought to find out what children were interested in and help them pursue it, with kindness and without judgment.

Establishing the ArtForce Iowa Program

In late 2013, ArtForce Iowa found its name and established “Creative Pathways,” which now goes by "Pathways." The name for the supportive arts community/program that serves children and youth ages 13 ½ to 19 who are court-involved. We use the euphemism “court-involved.” Some may say “juvenile delinquents” or “criminals.” This community of artists has grown to include children ages 12-13 who are court-involved, children with five or more behavior referrals in school and children who are involved in the foster care system.

Launching Heroes

In 2016, ArtForce Iowa recognized another community in need of access to art: children and youth who are refugees, immigrants or first-generation American-born who are victims of crime.

In response to this need, ArtForce Iowa launched a new program based upon the Pathways program model, called Heroes. Adaptations for this new population included informal community outings, one-on-one time and non-language-based workshops and projects. Training for artist mentors deepened to include Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-informed care, healing-centered engagement and language bias. We call the young people in our programs youth artists.

During the pandemic, we pivoted our programs but never stopped our art programs. We met our youth artists in-person and virtually. We gifted over 500 art kits so young people could continue making art while distancing from home. Shared meals turned into grocery deliveries. In studio workshops turned into ArtFul Connections through google meets and Facebook lives. And now, we share space with over 1,100 youth artists in Greater Des Moines (DSM).

Join the #YesKindness Movement

Through the years of service at ArtForce Iowa, we’ve been creating a community of kindness in support of youth – and for all of us. We believe every act of kindness makes a difference. That’s why we’re asking you to join our #YesKindness campaign and celebrate the America we know to be true at our Kindness is Punk Rock Silent Disco on Friday, July 3, 2026 at Cowles Commons from 7 to 9 p.m. Our friends at Fruits n Such, What the Fries? and Lachelle's will also be there to fuel your grooving! See the flyer for more information.

Why #YesKindness?

Because #YesKindness is a choice – a choice in how we show up for youth and each other. Kindness starts right here. Every act of kindness, every dollar, and every moment of your time brings us closer to creating opportunities for youth to transform through art. Learn more about our #YesKindness campaign at yeskindness.org.

Community is not a place. Community is what we build together. Let’s be a community built on #YesKindness.

Let kindness be your legacy.