chrysalis after-school

we don't just teach girls.

we build the next generation of leaders.

The idea that a girl can become a chemical engineer, carpenter, veterinarian, or corporate CEO was a notion that didn't exist years ago. Since we created Chrysalis After-School in 1998, our experience is that we can change this perspective for hundreds of adolescent girls every year.

Today, Chrysalis After-School is the community's leading program for girls ages 9 to 14 and for high school girls' leadership development. Our emphasis on resilience, connectedness, self-confidence, and health includes volunteerism, academic support, leadership development, STEM engagement, financial literacy, and mentoring.

To understand what's going on in the lives of adolescent girls, we involve them in all aspects of planning and implementation of Chrysalis After-School. Annual evaluations demonstrate the success of this strategy, as participant results report statistically higher changes (when compared with girls not in Chrysalis After-School programs) in the following areas:

  • intent to finish high school
  • ability to resist peer pressure
  • willingness to take responsibility for one's actions
  • understanding that working hard today can lead to a successful future

chrysalis after-school sites: 2025-2026

Every program site requires leadership from a school staff member and from a local nonprofit partner.

HIGH SCHOOL/PARTNER

GirlPower Peer Mentors (Multiple High Schools) – MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center

MIDDLE SCHOOL/PARTNER

Bondurant-Farrar (3 programs) – Bondurant-Farrar Community School District
Brody – Brody PTO
Carlisle – Carlisle PTO
Harding – Community! Youth Concepts
Hiatt – Eyes Open Iowa
Holy Family – Holy Family Youth Foundation
Hoyt – DMPS SUCCESS Program


MIDDLE SCHOOL/PARTNER 

Indianola – WeLIFT Community Outreach
McCombs – McCombs Middle School
Meredith – Eyes Open Iowa
Merrill – Merrill PTA
South (Waukee) – Waukee Community School District
Southeast Polk – Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa
Urbandale – Urbandale Community Action Network
Weeks – The Supply Hive
Woodside (Saydel) – Community! Youth Concepts

 

 

 

 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/PARTNER

Brubaker – Des Moines Public Schools
Edmunds – Black Cyclists of Iowa
Hillside – West Des Moines Community Schools Foundation
Holy Family – Holy Family Inner City Youth Foundation
Howe – The Supply Hive
King – Community! Youth Concepts
Maple Grove – Waukee Community School District
Morris – Black Cyclists of Iowa
Stowe – DMPS SUCCESS Program
Valerius – Rotary Club of Northwest Des Moines
Windsor – Young Women's Resource Center