DES MOINES — Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) joined Governor Kim Reynolds and Senator Chuck Grassley at a ribbon cutting for the new Youth and Shelter Services (YSS) Ember Recovery Campus, a state-of-the-art youth recovery facility. Rep. Nunn secured $1.6 million in funding for the campus in the FY24 Appropriations package.
“What the YSS team built is nothing short of extraordinary. I am proud to help the YSS mission, bringing $1.6 million to help serve youth in need in Iowa, as well as joining for the ribbon cutting to launch the Ember Recovery Campus,” said Rep. Nunn. “These efforts are a second chance for kids who have been through more than most of us can imagine. The campus and the resources it will provide young people will give a fresh perspective and an important restart to so many Iowa families. I’m committed to fighting alongside YSS to ensure mission success.”
“I want to congratulate everybody who helped turn this dream into a reality,” said Senator Grassley. “The Ember Recovery Campus is a refuge of hope and healing that will give struggling Iowans a fresh start and provide many families much-needed peace of mind. Empowering young people to advocate for their futures gives them skin in the game and helps them identify barriers to reach their full potential.”
“It took a lot of hard work and a lot of patience, but finally, the beautiful vision of the YSS Ember Recovery Campus has been realized. It’s a vision that I couldn’t be prouder or more honored to celebrate,” said Governor Reynolds. “The buildings and beautiful nature – all 50 acres of them – will serve as a safe and welcoming refuge for youth in crisis who require immediate help and where they can find stability, long-term treatment, and – eventually – the hope of a new and better tomorrow.”
YSS is an Ames-based nonprofit that has been a lifeline for Iowa youth for more than 45 years. With the opening of the Ember Recovery Campus near Cambridge, the organization will offer comprehensive treatment services for teens and adolescents struggling with substance abuse and mental health crises.
This 50-acre facility is designed to create a peaceful and secure setting for recovery. It is equipped with therapy rooms, wellness facilities, and space for recreation and reflection. The new campus expands access to critical care for Iowa’s most vulnerable youth and creates a sustainable model for long-term recovery rooted in community support.
The $1.6 million investment was delivered through the Community Project Funding process in the FY24 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which Rep. Nunn supported and advocated for in Congress.
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