For many kids, summer break brings a welcome change of pace: a pause from school routines, time for vacations with their families and the chance to make lasting memories with their friends. For youth in foster care — particularly those who live in group foster care settings like those provided by Ellipsis — summer break can bring challenges most people don’t see.
When structure disappears, stress shows up
While school can be stressful in its own unique ways, it provides young people with structure like daily routines, academic goals to strive toward, consistent meals and access to caring adults. For kids in foster care, especially those who have experienced trauma, loss of structure during the summer months can significantly impact their confidence, routine and sense of safety.
At our North Campus in Johnston, we serve up to 50 teenage boys through our qualified residential treatment program. At Park, we serve up to 10 teenage girls with the same services. These programs provide 24-hour support for young people who have significant behavioral or other challenges, often because of instability, neglect or abuse.
When school is out for the summer, our youth still need routine, guidance and support. Without that, the progress they’ve made in healing, building life skills and personal relationships with their family and friends can begin to unravel. That’s why our summer programming is just as intentional and structured as the rest of the year, and includes their regular everyday treatment planning, life skills development and therapeutic care.
What summer looks like at Ellipsis
Ellipsis youth care workers, supervisors, caseworkers, therapists and other staff work together to keep the summer months consistent, positive and purposeful. In addition to striving to achieve each youth’s individualized treatment goals, those in our care enjoy recreation activities and skill-building experiences — art classes, football, disc golf, learning how to cook, figuring out a budget and other ways to prepare for living on their own as adults.
Some of our youth have family visitation opportunities during the summer, which can be hopeful, helpful and emotionally challenging experiences. Others are navigating complex legal systems, preparing for a potential to return to their families or awaiting placement in a more permanent home.
Every person here has a unique story, and summer break doesn’t allow them to push pause on the emotional weight they are carrying.
How you can help
As Ellipsis continues to provide vital care and stability for youth here in our communities and those from across the state, we’re working to expand our impact even further. This summer, we’ll be opening a new group foster care facility for girls in the Des Moines metro area. This is a much-needed resource in Iowa.
The new space will mirror the supportive and structured environment already offered at our Park campus location, tailored to meet the unique and specific needs of teen girls navigating the child welfare system while experiencing the other challenges being a teenager can bring. It will also include Supervised Apartment Living apartments (6-Cluster and 2-Scattered) to support the continuum of care we offer our clients.
You can help us bring this space to life by making a contribution to our Hopeful Spaces Capital Campaign, which funds safe, healing and enriching environments for youth who need them most. By donating to this fund, you’re giving girls in foster care a summer filled with support, mentorship, hope and safe shelter.
A summer of hope starts with you
Summer break should be a time of joy, growth and belonging for all kids — not a season of uncertainty. At Ellipsis, we work every day, no matter the season, to ensure youth in our care feel safe, supported and empowered to keep figuring out life between what it is for them now and what’s possible for their futures.
Your support is what makes that possible. By getting involved, you’re not just giving back to fund a building or provide a meal. You’re helping create a summer experience that brings stability instead of stress, care instead of chaos, and hope instead of fear.
We invite you to stand with us as we open the doors to our new space for girls in August. The ribbon cutting and open house will be held Tuesday, July 29 from 2–4 p.m. at the Ellipsis Barbara Lee Noble Campus (5525 Meredith Drive, Des Moines). Together, we can give more Iowa youth the consistent support and healing they need for every season to come.
