Sieda Community Action is delighted to have Kayla Powell as the featured speaker for our 2020 Banquet and Auction. The banquet and fundraiser, to be held on March 27, is an annual event held to celebrate the work of the organization and the impact Sieda has in the communities we serve.

Kayla, Ottumwa Family YMCA’s Youth and Family Programs Coordinator, leads all youth development and community engagement work for her organization. She is Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for the geriatric population, and a consultant for the Ottumwa Community School District, Youth Policy Institute of Iowa, Child and Family Policy Center, and the Annie E Casey Foundation. Additionally, she is a consultant with the U.S. Children’s Bureau working on technical assistance within states and as a National Youth in Transition Database Reviewer.

Sieda sought out Kayla is our featured speaker because of her work to improve outcomes for disconnected youth or youth at risk of being disconnected from school, work, and relationships. She is a national speaker on the subject and has spoken at Harvard University, the National CASA Conference, several Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Convening’s, Iowa’s Annual Judicial and Child Welfare Conference, and many more. Kayla is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer and serves on many local, state and national boards and committees.

“We are proud and honored to have Kayla as our featured speaker. She is a truly remarkable individual who is working tirelessly to improve the lives of young people all around the country,” said Brian Dunn, Executive Director of Sieda Community Action. “We are excited for her to share her story and her work with our banquet guests.”

Along with remarks from Kayla, the banquet will feature music from Cameron Steinbach and comments from the Honorary Chair, Cardinal Superintendent Joel Pedersen.

Tickets and more information are available now.