Who We Are

For over 20 years, Freedom for Youth has empowered young people in Des Moines to walk into their futures with confidence.

Official Mission Statement

We help young people discover their God-given purpose, develop the skills they need to succeed, and access the opportunities required to build a transformed future.

Official Vision Statement

Under-resourced young people in central Iowa living transformed lives through Jesus Christ.

Our Values
Support the Mission

How We Live Out Our Mission

We exist to help young people discover who they are, recognize their God-given potential, and build a future filled with purpose.

Through our FREE, faith-based after-school program, we provide a safe and welcoming place where students can belong, build meaningful relationships, and grow in their faith. We equip young people with practical skills, connect them to opportunities, and surround them with caring adults who encourage them to pursue what is possible.

At the heart of everything we do is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe lasting transformation begins with knowing our identity in Christ, and we seek to help every young person grow spiritually, personally, and practically.

Our Vision into Action

We envision a community where no young person is defined by their circumstances, limited by a lack of opportunity, or left to navigate life alone.

We envision children and teenagers growing up surrounded by people who believe in them, teach them the truth of God’s Word, and help them recognize the gifts and potential God has given them.

We envision young adults stepping confidently into adulthood with a strong foundation of faith, practical skills, meaningful relationships, and the opportunity to contribute to their communities.

Through Christ, we want to see lives transformed, families strengthened, and generations equipped to walk boldly into their God-given purpose.

Strategic Focus

A young child holding an adult's hand, outdoors at a public event or festival with blurred people and tents in the background.

  • Freedom Kids is more than a place to go to after school. It is a place to belong, grow, and be known. Every student in our program will find:

    • A meal and after-school snacks

    • A safe place to play and build relationships with kids from other schools

    • Optional help with homework

    • Christ-centered teaching

  • A first job can be the beginning of something much bigger. Freedom Construction Services helps young people take that first step with practical skills, real-world experience, and the confidence to pursue what’s next. Through our workforce development opportunities, students can:

    • Connect with industry leaders through career days and networking opportunities

    • Build practical skills and earn certification through courses in OSHA safety, forklift operation, and road safety & towing

    • Enter the workforce with essential equipment provided upon graduation

  • Freedom Blend Coffee is more than a local roastery. Every purchase creates opportunities that help young people to grow, develop skills, and discover their potential. With Freedom Blend, your coffee creates opportunity.

Freedom Construction Services
Freedom Blend Coffee Roasters

Meet the Team

  • Close-up of a smiling man with a bald head and beard, wearing a cream-colored button-up shirt, standing in front of a brick wall.

    Emmanuel Caraballo

    Executive Director

  • A woman with long dark hair, glasses, and a white button-up shirt standing in front of a brick wall.

    Dani Mincks

    Director of Business Administration

  • A young man with light skin, reddish hair, and a beard smiling outdoors, wearing a greenish-gray button-up shirt with a collar, with trees and greenery in the background.

    Connor Howard

    Operations Manager, Freedom Construction Services

  • A smiling man with short brown hair, wearing black glasses and a light blue button-up shirt, standing outdoors in front of green shrubbery and a building.

    Dean Tribelhorn

    Community Engagement Manager

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a black jacket, outdoors with trees and grass in the background.

    Jessica White

    Program Supervisor

  • Cheryl

    Cheryl Prall

    Administration & Finance Coordinator

  • A woman with long hair, wearing glasses and a gray t-shirt, smiling outdoors in front of a green bush.

    Catalina Matias

    Elementary Coordinator

  • A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a red shirt, gold earrings, and a gold cross necklace, smiling outdoors with greenery and blue sky in the background.

    Elli Harell

    Marketing & Outreach Coordinator

  • Portrait of a young woman with long red hair, smiling outdoors with a leafy background and a house in the distance.

    Ruth Ann Plascencia

    Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Board

Brittany Heard President

David Staab

Mike Wohlenhaus

Emmanuel Caraballo

Trevor Meers

Les Gunn

Dan Keller

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