Willkie House

The mission of Willkie House is to develop character and esteem in young people through the promotion of academics, social skill building, health, and recreation. Willkie House provides after school care as well as summer programming.

Today Willkie House typically serves over 375 youth and their families during the year. Participants in the Willkie House programming range from five to 18 years of age, with the majority of these participants coming from low-income families. The ethnic backgrounds of the participants mirror the ethnic makeup of the greater Des Moines community, with the majority being children and families of color.

The Willkie House After-School Program works in cooperation with local schools to provide the needed academic instruction and assistance in a structured, individualized and fun manner. The Willkie House partners with the following Des Moines Public Schools:

• Edmunds Elementary
• Walnut St. Elementary
• Hubbell Elementary
• Perkins Elementary
• JW Reed Christian Academy
• Callanan Middle School
• Merrill Middle School