Starts Right Here (SRH) is busy inspiring at-risk youth in the Des Moines Public Schools and motivating youth through speaking events. Will Keeps, SRH President, performs empowering songs to inspire and speak the truth. Among the songs that he has released over the last several years, his hit song "Wake Up Iowa" is the song that means the most to him and the song he spent the most time on. Wake Up Iowa sends a message to people that violence and hate are not the Iowa way, and instead, we need to learn from other cities' mistakes, so we don't end up being ravaged by violence and crime.

Many leaders around the city and state are becoming familiar with SRH and Will Keep's music and the passion for helping youth, and his overall huge heart and amazing spirit. He has been in the press countless times for the SRH movement and is the first to have city officials in his music videos. SRH has strong relationships and has collaborated with Governor Kim Reynolds, Police Chief Dana Wingert, and Pastor Al Perez to make a difference and fulfill our mission.

In a world where violence and hate are far too common, it takes individuals like William Holmes (Will Keeps) and organizations like SRH to help rid the world of these atrocities. However, one thing is for sure. Will cannot continue his mission of empowering youth to make positive life choices through music, sports, education, or whatever their dreams may be without all of our help!

We need the help of a community that owes it to our children to create a world where they don't have to grow up as Will did. It's on our community to maintain that world for future generations to come and support change-makers like Will.

At the end of the day, you can tell when someone has a good heart and is doing things for the right reasons. Helping our youth is Will Keeps' purpose and legacy, and it Starts Right Here with all of us together.

We are showing youth that they have a purpose and building hope through relationships.

Regionally in the Des Moines area we are faced with several concerns...

  • Single Parent Families
  • The Breakdown of the Family Unit
  • Mental Health Issues / Trauma
  • Lack of Financial / Entrepreneurial Opportunities
  • Challenges in K12 Education System/Low Math & Reading Proficiency
  • Healthy Role Modeled Relationships
  • Growing Teen Violence/ Juvenile Delinquent Behaviors
  • Generational and Cyclical Dysfunctional Patterns in Families

With Community Concerns such as these, a new leadership style must rise to tackle these dilemmas with other community stakeholders. That movement we believe is Starts Right Here.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Will (Keeps) Holmes

President/Founder

Meet Will

Julie O. Wilson

Secretary/Treasurer

Meet Julie

Dana Wingert

Chief of Des Moines Police Department

Meet Dana

Quintin L Cole

Management & Operations

Meet Quintin

Ed McGill

Board Member

Meet Ed

Kate Wolfe

Board Member

Meet Kate

Trish Flaherty-Barnes

Board Member - Event Planning

Meet Trish

Carol Jahnke

Board Member - Grant Writer

Meet Carol

CURRENT PARTNERSHIPS

dmspublicschools

Des Moines Public Schools

desmoinespolice

Des Moines Police Department

cramerandassociates

Cramer and Associates

polk county sheriff

Polk County Sheriff

boyscouts

Boy Scouts of America

iowadepartmentofhuman ressources

Department of Human Resources

strahan

Strahan Construction

lincoln savings bank

Lincoln savings bank

unitedway

United Way

absolute

Absolute Group

affinity

Affinity Community CreDit Union

green state

Green State Credit Union

bankerstrust

Bankers Trust

broadlawns

Broadlawns Hospital

usbank

US Bank

kreg

Kreg Tool Company

dart
hyvee
westbank
iowa
scheels
caseys

Join Us!

Donate or volunteer to help us EDUCATE, EQUIP, and EMPOWER our youth!