Spread Your Wings INC

About the Organization

Organization category

Public Charity

Country / State

United States / Iowa

Mission

Empower youth ages 5–18 to thrive through mentorship, wellness programs, academic support, and positive community connections.
We create a safe place where children from all backgrounds can belong, build confidence, improve their mental and physical health, and develop the skills they need for a successful future.
Our goal is simple: prevent crises before they happen and help every young person thrive—not just survive.

Programs or services

After-school programs, evening recreation activities, martial arts, self-defense classes, parkour, historical swords classes, academic tutoring, mentorship and leadership programs, social opportunities, and family activities. All programs incorporate social-emotional learning and executive functioning skills to empower youth and improve physical, emotional, and mental health.

Detailed programs

Our After-School Program provides a safe, supportive environment where youth receive homework help, participate in recreation and active play, build friendships, and develop leadership and life skills. Through sports, games, STEM, arts, and mentorship, participants improve physical fitness, reduce stress, strengthen emotional well-being, build confidence, and develop healthy habits that support lifelong success.
Our Martial Arts Program provides youth with structured instruction that builds confidence, discipline, respect, and resilience in a safe, supportive environment. Participants develop physical fitness, coordination, balance, flexibility, and self-defense skills while learning goal setting, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and leadership. Through consistent training and positive mentorship, youth strengthen their mental well-being, improve focus and self-control, build healthy peer relationships, and develop the character and life skills needed to succeed at home, in school, and in their communities.
The Village Youth Center's Evening Recreation Program provides a safe, supervised space where youth participate in sports, fitness, martial arts, games, arts, STEM activities, and leadership programs during the critical evening hours. Through positive recreation and caring mentorship, participants improve physical fitness, reduce stress, build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and develop healthy relationships. The program promotes positive decision-making, emotional well-being, and a strong sense of belonging while helping youth stay engaged in safe, constructive activities.
The Village Youth Center's Evening Recreation Program provides a safe, supervised space where youth participate in sports, fitness, martial arts, games, arts, STEM activities, and leadership programs during the critical evening hours. Through positive recreation and caring mentorship, participants improve physical fitness, reduce stress, build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and develop healthy relationships. The program promotes positive decision-making, emotional well-being, and a strong sense of belonging while helping youth stay engaged in safe, constructive activities.
The Village Youth Center's Evening Recreation Program provides a safe, supervised space where youth participate in sports, fitness, martial arts, games, arts, STEM activities, and leadership programs during the critical evening hours. Through positive recreation and caring mentorship, participants improve physical fitness, reduce stress, build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and develop healthy relationships. The program promotes positive decision-making, emotional well-being, and a strong sense of belonging while helping youth stay engaged in safe, constructive activities.

Target Audience

Youth ages 5-18, youth and young adults with special needs, low-moderate income families, and at-risk youth.

Geographic Focus

United States

Current projects

Expanding space to increase the number of youth served from 50 per day to 100 per day and to add additional programs.

Organization goals

Provide Safe Spaces
Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where youth feel supported, connected, and valued.
Promote Healthy Development
Improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of youth through recreation, physical activity, and positive social engagement.
Strengthen Social-Emotional Skills
Equip youth with the confidence, resilience, empathy, self-control, and communication skills needed to thrive in school, at home, and in the community.
Develop Leadership and Life Skills
Prepare youth for future success by building executive functioning, decision-making, financial literacy, responsibility, and leadership skills.
Encourage Positive Choices
Reduce risky behaviors by providing meaningful after-school and evening activities, caring adult mentors, and positive peer relationships.
Foster Learning and Creativity
Inspire curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning through academic support, STEM, arts, and hands-on enrichment opportunities.
Build Strong Communities
Strengthen families and communities by creating opportunities for youth to develop positive relationships, contribute through service, and become engaged, responsible citizens.

Leadership

Amy Ratekin (CEO/Founder), Paul Ren (Program Director), Mark Ratekin (Director of Operations and Board President, Kristen Boldt (Secretary)

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

Arts and Culture, Capital Funding, Children, Community Services, Conflict Resolution, Disabilities, Education, Mental Health, Operating Support, Quality of Life, Sports and Recreation, Youth and At-Risk Youth

Funding needs

$500,000 annually to service 100+ youth each day, Monday-Saturday, until 10:00 PM

Website & Social Media