CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Director of Youth Standing Strong in Marshalltown David Hicks is welcomed by Matins Kiwanis Program Host Michael Sills.

Matins Kiwanis met Thursday morning at 6:30 a.m. in the Salvation Army building and were greeted by Steve Bolar. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the invocation was delivered by Frank Moran. A Token Fine was paid by Joe Robertson and Happy Dollars were donated from Andy Schwandt, Paul Heckman and Moran with Free Breakfasts won by Schwandt and Heckman. Funnel Cake volunteers were finalized for the upcoming outings at the Veterans Home and Emerson. The election of officers was approved with Chris Reid as the new president, Moran as the president elect; Treasurer will be Kevin Hitchins and Martha Schwandt as secretary.

Program Host Michael Sills introduced David Hicks as the guest speaker. Hicks is the director at Youth Standing Strong of Marshall County. He has been with YSS for 21 years and has served as director for the last 13 years. YSS is located at 11 E. State St. with the Headquarters in Ames and is associated with the Iowa Homeless Youth Center in Des Moines, with Youth Services in Mason City and Boone. The community is very fortunate to have the services provided by YSS which include counseling for individuals and families and helping former foster care youth that are 18-years-old and not officially in foster care any longer. YSS helps young single moms find safe housing and show young adults how to become self-sufficient. They go into schools with education on alcohol and tobacco and teach life skills and help with transitional living projects and intervene with human trafficking. Many more great services are provided that aren’t mentioned here, but the phone number of 641-752-2300 was provided for more information.