As we reflect on another year of service to our community, I want to take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to the City of Fort Dodge and its residents for the incredible support you’ve shown Athletics for Education and Success (AFES) over the past 20 years. Your belief in our mission has allowed us to grow, evolve, and continue making a positive impact on the lives of youth and families in our area.

For two decades, AFES has provided programs that serve as pillars of support for our community. These include our after-school programming, summer programming, and a variety of sports programs, with basketball leagues, camps, and competitive travel basketball standing as our cornerstone activities. These programs have offered structure, mentorship, and opportunities for personal growth to countless young people.

In addition to these longstanding initiatives, AFES has developed other impactful services. Our in-school diversion and intervention programs continue to work closely with schools and families to provide alternative solutions that keep young people on the right path. Our food bank has expanded this year with the addition of food pop-ups, a new initiative that has already demonstrated its value by addressing food insecurities in our community. This year’s Community Christmas program brought joy to over 300 youth, a testament to the generosity of Fort Dodge.

Over the past few years, we have also introduced three transformative programs:

1. Prison Reentry Program: Supporting individuals transitioning back into the community with resources, mentorship, and opportunities.

2. Youth Mentoring Program: Pairing youth with positive role models to foster personal growth and resilience.

3. Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Program: Addressing a critical need in our community by working collaboratively to reduce violence and create safer neighborhoods.

None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our community and our incredible partners. I want to extend a special thank you to the Fort Dodge school system, the Fort Dodge Police Department, the Department of Corrections–particularly the Residential Correctional Facility and local probation and parole officers, Juvenile Court Services, DHS (now HHS), Iowa Central Community College, UnityPoint Health, and the City of Fort Dodge, including City Manager David Fierke and Mayor Matt Bemrich. Your collaboration and advocacy are the backbone of our success.

I would also like to thank the many businesses, churches, and individuals who have supported us over the years. While I can’t name everyone, please know that your contributions–whether through time, resources, or financial support–have made an incredible difference.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to creating opportunities and fostering a stronger, safer, and more vibrant community. Thank you, Fort Dodge, for believing in AFES and for standing with us as we continue this important work.

Charles Clayton is the founder and chief executive officer of Athletics for Education and Success.