DES MOINES, Iowa — Construction is now underway at a former Lutheran Church in Des Moines’ East Village that will transform the historic building into a school and housing facility for at-risk youth.

Will Keeps is the founder of Starts Right Here, an alternative school in Des Moines’ southside. The school opened in 2020 to provide educational support for kids who were at risk of dropping out of school. Since then, Keeps has helped dozens of students graduate from high school.

Over the last four years, his goal has been to expand Starts Right Here by providing additional services to young people.

With the help of nearly $6 million in funding, this new facility is now in the first phase of construction. It’s called “Stay,” and it will not only provide additional classroom space for Starts Right Here, but also housing for young adults.

“I love it when kids are excited about a vision,” said Keeps. “There’s kids that been hearing about this vision for like four years now.”

The east side of the facility will have 18 apartments where 18 to 24-year-olds can apply to live free for two years.

“We can help them develop their minds, help them get jobs, save money. And at the age of 24, they can now have enough to be able to branch out on their own,” said Keeps.

So far, the project has raised $5,738,000, which includes grants from the state, Polk County, and the City of Des Moines; as well as community donations.

Hatch Development Group, Kiernan Development, and Simonson Associates broke ground on Stay on August 15th.

“The adaptive reuse of existing buildings is a really exciting type of project for me,” said Andy Lorentzen, an architect and partner with Simonson Associates. “It preserves our historic fabric and it gives new use to buildings that are vacant.”

Much of the historic building will be preserved, like the stained glass windows, brick and walnut interior, and light fixtures.

Stay will be open by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.