Volunteers of America's Bowden Youth Center offers education and creative opportunities in a safe, supportive environment as well as recreational activities, and non-competitive sports. Trained counselors are available for youth wanting someone who will listen to their concerns. A variety of educational workshops are offered on subjects such as nutrition, parenting and computer skills.

It also serves as a drop-in center for runaway and homeless youth or youth at risk of becoming homeless. The center offers a safe place for youth to come for a meal and other services needed to stabilize their situation. The center is also a response site for youth in crisis. Young people may come to the center for assistance with situations including family violence, suicide ideations, peer conflicts, and legal difficulty.

A mentor program, using both adults and peers, is available for youth. A nurse is available to youth who have health-related questions or concerns.

Volunteers of America's Bowden Youth Center is operated with and for youth in the Sioux Falls area. A Youth Council works with program staff to develop and implement all programs and activities.

The Volunteers of America Bowden Youth Center hosted its 9th annual Thanksgiving dinner. More than 400 families came out to enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal. The event drew record numbers. It was made possible by organizers and volunteers, and those who came out say their efforts didn't go unnoticed.

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Most evenings, you can find Carlos Tores at the Bowden Youth Center. The now 19-year-old moved to Sioux Falls in 2007 with hopes of starting a new life and living on his own. But when he moved into his own apartment, he knew things might get tough. Those struggles included running out of food and led him to the Banquet in Sioux Falls, where he learned about the Bowden Youth Center.

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Tuesday night, the Volunteers of America Bowden Youth Center is celebrating a milestone. The central Sioux Falls facility opened ten years ago. Since then, it's welcomed thousands of children and teens and helped many of them through tough times.

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