At Strictly Business, we believe it is so important to support our local nonprofits. Nonprofit organizations understand the needs of the most vulnerable in our community and work to help support causes many of us connect to. Not only do local nonprofits help enrich Nebraskan life, but they also create jobs and give workers, volunteers, and donors an opportunity to be a part of something greater than themselves. When we pitch in to help nonprofits, we’re helping our communities and neighbors and keeping a culture of humanity, art, and philanthropy alive.
We were very encouraged to see the outpouring of generosity this year during SHARE Omaha’s Do Good Days May 17-19. The donor response was incredible. Cash donations totaled over $1.6 million given. There was also an increase of new donors, 25% in 2021 to 33% this year. This is amazing!
In this Supporting Nonprofits feature, we’re highlighting a host of Omaha’s most impactful nonprofits, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share their stories and promote the work they do throughout the year. We encourage our readers to keep these nonprofits top-of-mind when choosing how to give, whether it’s money, time, or skill.
Do Space (dospace.org) is a free, one-of-a-kind technology space, digital workshop, and experimental playground designed to tackle the digital divide in Omaha. We help boost digital skills and drive innovation, creativity, and invention in the region. It’s more than just a building—it’s a community technology movement. At Do Space, Omahans have access to powerful fiber internet, Wi-Fi, high-end computers and devices, 3D printers, and technology-focused learning opportunities.
Do Space offers a variety of programs and events to serve the community at no cost. From beginner to advanced, toddlers to senior citizens, we offer something for all ages and levels of experience. Find our upcoming classes at dospace.org/calendar. Learn more at dospace.org.
Life-changing care…right in your own backyard. Join Boys Town (www.boystown.org) in the business of saving kids and healing families!
For more than 100 years, Boys Town has been serving local communities, both as a good neighbor and a provider of high-quality care and treatment programs. They’ve always taken great pride in being right here when kids and families need them, whether that’s for a child in need of a stable home or a parent looking for a trusted pediatrician for their child.
That’s why the partnership and support of local businesses is so valuable to their mission. Learn more about how you can help Boys Town expand its services so more people in need can experience hope and healing. Call (531) 355-1300, email info@boystown.org, or go online to www.boystown.org.
Did you know 1 in 26 people are diagnosed with epilepsy? Or that 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime?
The Epilepsy Foundation (www.epilepsy.com/local/nebraska), in collaboration with our community and network partners, connects the people, data, and resources needed to address challenging health problems associated with seizures and epilepsy — and promotes education, policy, research, and systemic change that will foster measurable and sustainable improvement for all people living with epilepsy.
We are fiercely committed to improving the lives of people with epilepsy. The Epilepsy Foundation Nebraska provides seizure alert monitors to those in need, responds 24/7 to information and referral requests through the Helpline, educates our community on Seizure First Aid, hosts support groups, promotes grassroots advocacy efforts, and holds local awareness campaigns throughout the year. Together, we are elevating the conversation around epilepsy and fighting the stigmas that persist around living with seizures.
Let’s END EPILEPSY TOGETHER! To learn more, visit www.epilepsy.com/local/nebraska.
Community Foundation for Western Iowa (www.givewesterniowa.org) is your connection to creating a lasting legacy, ensuring communities in western Iowa are strong, vibrant, and attractive for future generations.
The Community Foundation helps donors create a personalized philanthropy plan that is tailored to their interests and preferences. Donors can maximize their charitable gifts, which can include cash, financial investments, bequests, stocks and securities, grain, livestock, real estate, and vehicles. As an added benefit, the Community Foundation is proud to offer the Endow Iowa Tax Credit, a 25% state credit on qualified gifts.
Since 2007, Community Foundation for Western Iowa and its charitable investors have granted $5.04 Million to organizations creating impact in western Iowa. Last year, generous donors awarded 269 grants to organizations totaling an astounding $1,908,603 through their charitable funds at the Community Foundation.
Help the Community Foundation for Western Iowa community meet the challenges of changing times. Create impact and give where we live at www.givewesterniowa.org.
Duet’s (www.duetne.org) roots date back to 1968 as the first community-based service provider for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Today, they support over 500 people with a person-centered focus through engaging day, residential, employment, and behavioral health services immersed in the communities of Cass, Douglas, Dodge, Sarpy, and Washington counties.
By offering a comprehensive selection of supports, people can choose exactly what they want. Duet honors and encourages personal choice as to supports desired, frequency of receiving supports, and location of supports.
Duet is privileged to work alongside so many people in their mission to Develop, Unite, Empower, Together.
For more information, visit www.duetne.org or call (402) 444-6500. You can also find Duet on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Open Door Mission (www.opendoormission.org) is a Gospel Rescue Mission founded in 1954 committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe shelter beds to men, women, and children experiencing homelessness; serves over 4,747 nutritious meals; and provides homeless preventive measures to more than 1,000 people living in poverty.
Visit www.opendoormission.org or call (402) 422-1111 to see how you can make a difference in the community.
As Nebraska’s largest nonprofit legal immigration services provider, Immigrant Legal Center (ILC, www.immigrantlc.org) serves an irreplaceable role in the communities we serve. ILC serves the most vulnerable immigrants, including those living in extreme poverty, victims fleeing domestic violence, children who have been abused and/or abandoned, and those who would be persecuted if they returned to their country of origin. They support workforce and community development by securing work permits, green cards, and other forms of relief for Nebraska workers. ILC’s work helps our community reach its full potential and makes our cities stronger and healthier by empowering immigrants to obtain access to education, healthcare, and work opportunities that allow them to live and work with confidence and free from fear.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Join Immigrant Legal Center on September 25 in Omaha for their annual Food Truck World Tour. Sponsorships and information available at www.immigrantlc.org or contact Cailan Franz at cailan@immigrantlc.org.
FAMILY, Inc. (www.familyia.org) is a human services organization with a mission to engage and educate our community, inspiring a healthy future through literacy, family, and public health services. At FAMILY, Inc. they envision a resilient community built on strong partnerships and trust with equitable opportunities to thrive. They are committed to building a better future for our community through our children.
FAMILY, Inc. provides the right supports and services for each child at the earliest stages of development, prenatally through age five, preparing children to enter school ready to learn. Through early developmental assessment, oral health education and screening, support to pregnant moms, parenting home visits, care coordination, connections to hawki health insurance, fostering informal support networks, and more, FAMILY, Inc. partners with each family leading to more successful outcomes decades later. What better investment for the future can a community make?
To learn more, visit www.familyia.org or call (712) 256-9566. FAMILY, Inc. can also be found on Facebook (@familyincia), Twitter (@FAMILYIowa), LinkedIn (@familyinc), and YouTube (FAMILYonYouTube).
Wear Yellow Nebraska (WearYellowNebraska.org) provides services, support, and community for Nebraska’s cancer survivors. Their purpose, from the very beginning, is to bring together people passionate about cycling, celebrating life, and being an advocate in the fight against cancer. Since the organization’s beginning days, Wear Yellow Nebraska has continued to grow and cultivate their mission and vision. In 2012, they launched a free transportation program, which has raised more than $400,000 to provide more than 17,000 cab rides to cancer patients in need.
The Wear Yellow Cab Ride program, Powered by Lyft, is the primary initiative of the organization and is funded by their signature event, the Wear Yellow Ride, Fun Run & Walk. Transportation to and from treatment is essential because patients are often unable to drive themselves, which also leaves them vulnerable to additional medical challenges. Even when patients have family and friends who can help, they are not always available and sometimes they just don’t want to ask for one more thing.
Wear Yellow Nebraska touches lives in Lincoln, Omaha, and Fremont— help them keep growing! Learn more online at WearYellowNebraska.org.
Child Saving Institute (CSI, childsaving.org) is dedicated to the prevention, intervention, and healing of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. Since its beginning 130 years ago, CSI’s primary focus has always been children’s safety and well-being. As an innovative leader in children’s services, CSI’s programs include an Emergency Shelter for youth in crisis, quality Early Childhood Education, consultation services for low-income childcare centers, foster care services, foster parent training, mental health services including pediatric & adolescent therapy and medication management services, in-home services for struggling families, pediatric social work services in local low-income medical clinics, Independent Living Skills (ILS) education for youth aging out of the foster care system, free parenting workshops, and adoption services. The agency also operates the Triage Center at Project Harmony and has added the Family Empowerment Program in collaboration with the Women’s Center for Advancement, providing hope and healing to survivors of domestic violence and their children.
CSI’s programs are diverse and continue to adjust to the current needs of children and families in the Omaha community. With your support, CSI continues to serve more than 2,500 kids and families each year and touches thousands more, improving children’s lives and helping them discover the joy of childhood. For more information, visit childsaving.org or call (402) 553-6000. Stay connected with CSI by following the organization on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The American Heart Association (www.heart.org/Omaha) is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives— devoted to saving people from two of the nation’s top killers: heart disease (No. 1) and stroke (No. 5).
Powered by millions of volunteers, global and local collaborators, their goal is equitably increase worldwide healthy life expectancy from 64 to at least 67 years by 2030.
Through events right here in Omaha like the Heart Walk, Go Red for Women, and Heart Ball, the American Heart Association is making an impact. For more information, visit www.heart.org/Omaha.
Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center (stephencenter.org) partners with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Approximately 250 people call Stephen Center home each day through three programs on a sober campus. The Pettigrew Emergency Shelter serves men, women, and children experiencing homelessness. The HERO Program (Health, Empowerment, Responsibility, and Opportunity) is a state-licensed substance use treatment and mental health services program providing substance use evaluations, inpatient services, and intensive outpatient treatment. The third program is Permanent Supportive Housing apartments. These apartments provide affordable housing for those that meet income and disability qualifications. All three programs are nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). All Stephen Center clients have the support of case managers who assist them with the identification of barriers impeding self-sufficiency. Volunteers play a huge role in Stephen Center’s mission, impacting client lives every day! For more information, visit stephencenter.org or follow them on Facebook (@stephencenteromaha).
Many Omaha children and families are struggling with the devastating effects of multiple crises and trauma. Thus, the mission of Release (www.releaseinc.org) is to affect these youth and their families with the love of Jesus Christ, helping them to become…Safe, Together, Healthy, and Free. They do so by providing an array of services in four areas of focus.
• Mentoring: Connecting caring adults with youth seeking positive influences.
• Foster Care: Providing loving homes for the most vulnerable in our community.
• Social Work: Helping families navigate the system to find restoration.
• Mental Health: Bringing healing and wholeness to individuals and families.
Release is a member of the National Family Preservation Network, and all their workers are trained specifically in cultural competency and crisis intervention management.
Opportunities for helping Release transform lives in our community include volunteering as a mentor, becoming a foster parent, joining Friends of Release for monthly projects helping families, and becoming a monthly financial supporter. For more information, call (402) 455-0808, email info@releaseinc.org, or visit www.releaseinc.org.
Youth Emergency Services (YES, www.yesomaha.org) is the only nonprofit in Omaha with the sole mission to help youth experiencing homelessness and near-homelessness in the community. Last year, YES provided support and services to more than 750 youth in the Omaha metro. YES also provided almost 2,000 meals to youth through their Street Outreach Center and Mobile Pantry. Many of these youth have been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, making it unsafe for them to return home. Without YES, these vulnerable young people cannot succeed independently.
YES offers a full continuum of care to ensure all youth receive the support they need, no matter their situation. This includes the Street Outreach Center, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Program, Maternity Group Home, and Rapid Rehousing as well as other connected services/resources. Through these programs, YES offers case management, job readiness classes, group activities, support for the LGBTQ+ community, and specialized services for trafficked survivors. To ensure youth are successful once they leave their care, YES requires the youth to set short- and long-term goals, be enrolled in school, have a job, or both, and do community service. For more information about YES’ programs, please visit www.yesomaha.org or call (402) 345-5187. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
What began as a mother’s wish to offer a playful respite for her daughter fighting brain cancer has now become a movement to reclaim the innocence and playfulness of childhood for those threatened by the realities of their medical conditions. Bags of Fun (bagsoffunomaha.org) is an essential tool that brings the power of play and distraction from pain into the lives of children fighting a life-threatening illness. Each bag of happiness is individually crafted to provide joy, laughter, and relief to children in the fight of their lives—inspiring pediatric patients to be kids and play while they struggle through tough treatments.
It was Gabby Krause’s wish that every child at the hospital could have their own Bag of Fun, and it is an honor to carry out her wish! Bringing a sense of normalcy, especially during these times, is something everyone could benefit from.
Since beginning in Omaha in September 2019, Bags of Fun has delivered over 300 Bags of Fun to kids! The nonprofit is excited for what the future has to hold, especially with the immense support they have already experienced in the community. “The body cannot heal without PLAY, the mind cannot heal without LAUGHTER, the heart cannot heal without COMMUNITY.” Visit bagsoffunomaha.org to learn more about the Bags of Fun mission.
Through a growing grassroots network of volunteers who hail from every corner or the state, Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF, NebraskaHometown.org) unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving, and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.
Headquartered in Lincoln with employees working from hometowns all across the state, Nebraska Community Foundation provides financial management, strategic development, donor education, and training in partnership with 1,500 volunteers over serving 270 Nebraska communities. In the last five years, 45,915 contributions were made to NCF and its affiliated funds. Since 1994, NCF has reinvested $423 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org or call (402) 323-7330.
Cross Training Center (www.crosstc.com) exemplifies the message “If you feed a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” Their program equips unemployed and undereducated adults through vocational training and work experience. Students learn to overcome barriers to employment caused by challenging backgrounds and circumstances, such as homelessness, incarceration, emotional trauma, and generational poverty.
Cross Training Center believes each person, no matter their past or current circumstances, can be set up for success. Through its four owned businesses––Cross Electronic Recycling, Redeemed Computers, Cross Automotive, and Cross Social Hall––students gain industry-specific skills and soft skills to prepare them for a career path. To learn more, visit www.crosstc.com or call (402) 590-2100.
Christian Record Services, Inc. (www.christianrecord.org), located in Lincoln, is a ministry of compassion of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to children and adults who are blind, with nearly 18,000 members throughout the United States and in countries around the world. Our mission is to empower people who are blind to engage their communities and embrace the Blessed Hope.
Christian Record Services offers an array of services and programs, including Bible study lessons, books, magazines, and Bibles in audio, braille, and large print from a library of more than 2,000 titles. Members also have the opportunity to deepen social, educational, and spiritual connections through PhoneFaith, scholarships for higher education, and National Camps for Blind Children. These services and programs are free of charge to people who are legally blind, regardless of spiritual beliefs or faith background. For more information, visit www.christianrecord.org, call (402) 488-0981, or email info@christianrecord.org.
CenterPointe (www.centerpointe.org) serves the community by offering 40 programs including mental health and substance use treatment, primary care services, rehabilitation, medication management, 24-hour crisis response, and housing. There is no wrong door to walk through to start the journey of recovery. Most of those served experience severe and persistent mental illness, addiction, and health issues. Nearly all are low or no income. CenterPointe was the first organization in Nebraska to employ a “housing first” model in which people with mental illness and addiction issues are housed first, then engaged for treatment services. Today, CenterPointe operates more than 200 units of supported housing. We welcome all sexual orientations and gender identities. Guided by our holistic approach of open arms and open minds and by our steadfast belief that every person has the ability to recover, we are helping people get better, sooner, for longer. Learn more online at www.centerpointe.org or by calling (402) 475-8717.
Did you know…Midlands Community Foundation (MCF, www.midlandscommunity.org) helps donors achieve their philanthropic goals and “Invest in the Power of Community.”
MCF plays an integral part in the community by serving Sarpy and Cass counties in the areas of health, arts, community, economic development, education, and human services. For example, MCF:
• Helps provide shelter for the homeless and stocks shelves at local food banks;
• Underwrites scholarships for college-bound students;
• Maintains and supports local libraries;
• Updates parks and recreational areas;
• Provides new technology for schools and nonprofit organizations;
• Treats school children to educational field trips;
• Supports STEM initiatives; and
• Assists in emergency disaster relief for affected victims.
In addition, MCF manages 160 charitable funds that serve an array of needs. This past year, more than $2.3 million has been distributed into the community through these charitable funds, MCF grants, and discretionary gifts. Learn more at www.midlandscommunity.org.
Angels Among Us (www.myangelsamongus.org) provides financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. Any family living in or being treated in Nebraska is eligible to apply. Once approved, families are provided with $500 or $750 a month, depending on household income levels, for the length of their entire treatment plan, up to three years, to help them stay financially stable during treatment. Funds are paid directly to the creditor, which ensures that funds are used for their intended purpose.
In addition to financial support, Angels Among Us launched 11 emotional support programs to provide wrap-around services for all members of the pediatric cancer family. Programs for teens, kids, siblings, and caregivers; events for the family to attend together; and bereavement support services are now offered. Research has shown that, along with the financial toxicity many families experience during a cancer journey, there are PTSD-like symptoms that also appear within the family. These emotional support programs allow Angels Among Us to better fulfill its mission of BOTH financial and emotional support.
Since 2006, Angels Among Us has assisted over 600 families with over $3.4 million in support. There are angels among us. Will you be one? Gifts of any amount are welcome and encouraged. There is strength in numbers. There is also hope, help, and monetary relief. For more information, contact Angels Among Us at (402) 934-0999 or visit the website at www.myangelsamongus.org.
Together, we can end child abuse. Project Harmony (www.projectharmony.com) is boldly focused on ending the cycle of child abuse and neglect in our community. We have reimagined how communities can come together by leveraging resources to respond to, treat, and ultimately prevent child abuse. Project Harmony restores courage, facilitates healing, and empowers each of us to be someone in the life of a child. Take the pledge to be someone in the life of a child today at ProjectBeSomeone.org.
To find out more about Project Harmony, visit www.projectharmony.com or call (402) 595-1326.
At the Heartland Hope Mission (heartlandhopemission.org) South Omaha and West Omaha food pantries, working poor families choose a week’s supply of nutritious groceries including milk, frozen meat, and fresh produce to prepare well-balanced meals at home. However, Heartland Hope Mission is more than a pantry. Clients also receive clothing, hygiene items, diapers, and access to a Client Service Specialist who assists with SNAP (food stamp) applications and navigational services. The Mission’s Jobs Paths Program provides access to current job postings and on-site interviews with employers. The goal is to provide programming and wraparound services to prevent families from becoming homeless and to help people achieve or rebuild self-sufficiency. Due to the current inflation and cost of food, Heartland Hope Mission is now serving almost double the amount of families compared to last year. Learn more at heartlandhopemission.org or call (402) 733-1904.
Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership (ENCAP, www.encapnebraska.org) is a nonprofit community-based organization that has been providing social and human services to people facing poverty since 1965. Last year, ENCAP provided more than 21,000 services to nearly 11,000 people living in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. ENCAP is a member of a national network of over 1,000 Community Action Agencies dedicated to providing programming that meets community needs, that responds to the voices of the low-income community, and that demonstrates continuous quality improvement. ENCAP’s service areas include: Crisis Assistance including emergency rent and utility assistance; hunger relief (via Omaha and Bellevue Food Pantries), Senior Wellness, Family Wellbeing, and transportation For more information, please visit www.encapnebraska.org.
Established in 1972, Santa Monica House (www.santamonicahouse.org) has been providing long-term residential services to thousands of chemically-dependent women, partnering with them on their journey to recovery. The program relies on the disciplines of the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous® while incorporating mental health and trauma treatment along with life skills. Santa Monica provides food, shelter, rehabilitative counseling, job acquisition guidance, and resocialization training. Santa Monica provides Intermediate Residential, a halfway house program, followed by a three-quarters way house program and transitional apartment living. This approach to step-down levels of care for the women provides a more holistic continuum of care. These services will give the women more support as they transition back into the community. Donations are always valued at Santa Monica and the women benefit from toiletries, clothing, and paper products.
Visit Santa Monica’s new website at www.santamonicahouse.org for more information about the agency, what the future holds, and how to help.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease where a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone needed to get energy from food. T1D strikes children and adults suddenly and is unrelated to diet or exercise; at present, there is no cure. JDRF (jdrf.org/nebraskaiowa) works every day to change this reality. As the largest global funder of T1D research, our mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications. You can help make a difference by participating, volunteering, or fundraising.
Events:
• JDRF One Walk – October 2, 2022 at Mahone y State Park
• JDRF Gala – April 22, 2023 at CHI Health Center Omaha
Programs:
• Advocacy – Advocate for government support of research & policies for affordable & accessible therapies.
• Support/Networking Groups (virtual until further notice) jdrf.org/virtual-events
• Give Back at School – School education & fundraising opportunities.
• Community Outreach – Resources and support for individuals & families.
• Ride – Destination cycling experience for all fitness levels.
• YLC – Young professionals raising awareness & funds for T1D.
Learn more at jdrf.org/nebraskaiowa or call (402) 397-2873.
The Malone Community Center (MaloneCenter.org) was founded in 1955 through a reorganization of the Lincoln Urban league. Initially founded during a time in history when civil rights for African Americans were extremely limited, the league founders, both black and white, were determined to improve social and economic conditions and increase understanding between all races. They believed that enhanced understanding between all groups of people would create a better community.
For decades, the Malone Center has served neighboring families, youth, seniors, and the Lincoln community through programs and initiatives that extend well beyond the community center to uphold their mission to end multigenerational poverty. Their holistic community programming reflects their commitment to advancing equality through education, health initiatives, community outreach, advocacy, and leadership development.
The Malone Community Center offers a Early Achievers Academy, which is leveling the playing field by providing a high-quality early education for low-income families. They are committed to ensuring students are prepared to succeed. Now enrolling: full-day early childhood education program, open 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. This program is in collaboration with the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory. For more information, please visit MaloneCenter.org or call (402) 474-1110
People living with vision loss get the skills and resources they need to lead independent, fully engaged lives from the Outlook Enrichment (outlooken.org) programs you fund. Using computers and smartphones without vision becomes easy with technology training from Outlook. Recreational, cultural, and social activities become possible again with a few adaptations. Those new to vision loss—whether their own or a loved one’s—find practical and emotional support from Outlook during their transition.
Outlook Enrichment’s mission is to create opportunities for people living with vision loss to achieve personal and professional growth in an inclusive community. We help people living with vision loss and blindness live life independently, confidently engage in their communities, and continue to do the things they love through our programs.
Your gifts help us change the outcomes for people with limited vision. Help us celebrate that there is vision beyond sight for each of them. Easily make a donation at outlooken.org/donate.
NALA (nalarescue.org) is a 100% volunteer-based organization steadfast in its commitment to changing the way society thinks about animals, animal rescues, and the impact animals have on humans. They strive to match homeless animals with people who can provide loving homes where both will enjoy the benefits of this companionship.
NALA provides all vaccinations, heartworm testing, spays/neuters, and microchipping. From rehoming healthy felines and canines to caring for the sickest of the sick, NALA is there! Besides routine care, they do so much more such as bottle-feeding newborns, treating illnesses like parvo, distemper, heartworm, ringworm, surgeries, and behavior training/support.
In addition to monetary donations, NALA needs foster homes, event volunteers, transporters, etc. They need it all! They hope that someday there will not be a need for their animal services for the sick, neglected, abused, and unwanted, but until that day, NALA will be there with open homes, hearts, and arms. To learn more, visit nalarescue.org.
Since 1989, Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy’s (HETRA, www.HETRA.org) mission has been to improve the quality of life both physically and emotionally of adults and children of all ability levels through Equine-Assisted Activities. HETRA proudly offers our participants a variety of services, including Adaptive Riding, Therapy Services, Adaptive Carriage Driving, Life Skills programs, Veteran programs, Equine-Assisted Learning programs, and more. As the only Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH, Intl.) Premier Accredited facility in Nebraska, HETRA employs occupational, mental health, speech, and physical therapists, as well as 16 PATH Intl. Certified Riding Instructors.
HETRA continues its 31+ years of dedication and commitment to its participants with the help of over 200 dedicated volunteers who donate over 26,000 hours annually. HETRA offers year-round programming, works with a herd of over 29 horses, and is situated on 25 beautiful acres in Gretna. Learn more at www.HETRA.org or call (402) 359-8830.
The mission of the Jennie Edmundson (JE) Foundation (www.jehfoundation.org) is to improve the quality of life by caring for the body and mind. Jennie Edmundson Foundation is the fundraising arm of Methodist Jennie Edmundson (MJE) Hospital. By engaging philanthropic leaders, they are able to help make certain that the equipment, facilities, programs, services, and educational initiatives at JE continue to meet community needs.
The JE Foundation relies on donations and grants from the community. These funds help their COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, Behavioral Health, Cancer Center, Cardiac Center, Women’s Services, Charitable Patient Care Fund, Medi-Bus Transportation, and Scholarship Funds, to name a few. Generous contributions provide care, education, and services to many who may not otherwise have access to healthcare services. Individual or planned gifts, memorials, or becoming an event, corporate sponsor or year-end donor are also a few ways to help. Becoming a JE Adult Volunteer gives you the opportunity to be involved in many facets of volunteerism. It is a wonderful way to meet new people, develop new skills and interests, and be rewarded through the experiences of helping patients, family members, and hospital staff. To find out more about the Jennie Edmundson Foundation and how you can get involved, call (712) 396-6040 or visit www.jehfoundation.org.
The mission of the Nebraska Safety Council (nesafetycouncil.org) is simple: For more than 60 years, they have provided education and leadership to empower people to live safe and healthy. The Nebraska Safety Council’s comprehensive programs, training courses, events, and services are designed to improve employee care at a desk, on the production floor, behind the wheel, and off the job. Their unique Worker 360° approach provides integrated risk management to improve overall worker quality of life and positively impact an organization’s bottom line.
Members of the Nebraska Safety Council include organizations throughout Nebraska and surrounding areas, across a variety of industries. There is no one-size-fits-all option. Each company’s safety and well-being program is customized for their needs and size.
Demonstrate your commitment to employee safety and health by becoming a member of the Nebraska Safety Council. You will receive access to training, guidance, and resources to establish or enhance your safety and wellness programs and policies.
The Nebraska Safety Council provides leadership and resources for a safe and healthy workplace and community. To reach their team, call (402) 483-2511 or visit nesafetycouncil.org to learn more.
The mission of the American Red Cross (redcross.org) is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. The Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters from home fires to major events such as hurricanes, floods, or tornadoes. About 40% of the nation’s blood needed by patients is supplied by the Red Cross. The organization teaches skills such as CPR and First Aid that save lives. Additionally, the Red Cross provides international humanitarian aid and supports military members, veterans, and their families.
Every day, the American Red Cross is active in the community, serving those in need. Visit redcross.org or call 1-(800) REDCROSS to support Red Cross efforts by volunteering, donating financially or giving blood.
The mission of Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC, www.midlandslatinocdc.org) is to provide low- and moderate-income individuals and families with opportunities and tools to achieve financial stability through entrepreneurship.
MLCDC is a nonprofit organization that focuses on teaching Latinos and refugees leadership skills to create diverse and inclusive businesses. MLCDC focuses on enhancing the life of individuals in the Midlands while reducing poverty and increasing economic growth in local communities.
MLCDC’s programs and services are provided in Spanish, English, and Arabic and cover areas of financial stability, industry training, entrepreneurship and leadership, and lending. The lending program provides business loans to entrepreneurs that are unable to secure capital from financial institutions to start or expand their businesses. To learn more, visit www.midlandslatinocdc.org or call (402) 933-4466.
The Salvation Army of Omaha (salarmyomaha.org) is a faith-based nonprofit organization with a mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Its three community centers – Citadel Corps, North Corps, and The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center – as well as the Burrows Center and Renaissance Village, are uniquely situated to meet the diverse needs of our metro-area neighborhoods. From after-school programs and summer camps to food pantries and behavioral health programs that support those struggling with mental illness, The Salvation Army of Omaha sustains the bodies, minds and spirits of thousands of our most vulnerable neighbors each year.
Monetary donations help to fund The Salvation Army’s social services programs – including food, housing, material assistance, youth development, older adult services, behavioral health, anti-human trafficking and disaster services. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit salarmyomaha.org.
MICAH House, a homeless shelter in Council Bluffs, has provided safety and security to children, families, and women for more than 30 years. Located on the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus, MICAH House serves hundreds of homeless individuals each year – and more than half are children. One focus is to keep families together, while reducing the amount of trauma children experience during a difficult time in their lives. The BUDDY program provides an opportunity for MICAH House children to play, learn, and grow. In January 2019, MICAH House expanded services to include a 26-bed women’s shelter and health care clinic. The shelter offers a therapeutic healing environment and includes a full-time therapist onsite. The three-exam room clinic will allow MICAH House clients and community members access to medical and dental services five days a week. For more information, please visit www.themicahhouse.org.
Thousands of children and youth in Douglas County are victims of abuse and neglect. Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA for Douglas County (casaomaha.org), is a local nonprofit that recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers who advocate on behalf of children that have been abused or neglected in the Juvenile Court. CASA volunteers get to know the children, their wants and needs, and all of the circumstances with the goal of bringing the child back home safely. These advocates become the voice of the child in court by gathering information and reporting their findings and recommendations directly to the judge. Children with a CASA volunteer spend on average 8 months less time in care than those without one, show positive educational and behavioral outcomes and are half as likely to re-enter the foster care system.
Help us “Change a Child’s Story” by becoming a CASA volunteer or by donating today!
To volunteer, donate, or for more information, please contact CASA for Douglas County at (402) 932-5683 or casaomaha.org. Follow on Facebook (@casadouglascounty) and on Instagram (@casaomahadc).
The Rose Theater (www.rosetheater.org) is committed to enriching the lives of children and families through live theater and arts education. With live performances of plays and musicals specifically for children and a wide range of classes designed to inspire budding performing artists, a lifelong love of theater starts at The Rose.
The Rose is one of the largest and most accomplished children’s theaters in the nation. American Theatre magazine named The Rose one of the top 20 children’s theaters in the country. The theater presents a variety of family-friendly productions on its main stage each year. The Rose’s First Stage series features plays specifically for very young children in a smaller, shush-free, sensory-friendly environment. In addition, students from age two to 18 can participate in performing arts classes such as creative drama, dance, musical theater, acting, voice, and more. For more information, visit www.rosetheater.org or call (402) 345-4849.
Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM, www.nonprofitam.org) is a state association that represents approximately 750 nonprofit organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. NAM strengthens the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the quality of community life throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. With NAM’s growing base of nonprofits, the organization is committed to enhancing public recognition of the importance and role of the nonprofit sector; providing access to high-quality assistance and information on effective nonprofit management and practices; advocating on issues that affect the capacity of all nonprofits to address their communities’ needs; and fostering communication and cooperation among nonprofits. NAM also is recognized as the State Association for Nebraska by the National Council of Nonprofits, the nation’s largest network of nonprofits. To learn more, visit www.nonprofitam.org.
Autism Action Partnership (AAP, autismaction.org) serves Nebraska’s autism community through targeted programs that promote support, inclusion, and prosperity.
SUPPORT: AAP is committed to connecting individuals and families to needed resources over their lifespan, offering services (like Project Lifesaver) to enhance the safety of those with autism, and helping to cultivate a strong social network through Making Memories events and the AAP Guild.
INCLUSION: Inclusion efforts aim to create more understanding and increased opportunities for the autism community to live enriched lives. AAP provides comprehensive trainings to businesses and partners on how to support and welcome individuals with autism and their loved ones.
PROSPERITY: AAP helps to answer the question of “what’s next” as autistic individuals enter adulthood. Through their Prosper Workforce Services program, they meet the needs of employers and participants by matching individuals to positions that meet their interests and address employers’ needs, while providing necessary support and training. AAP is launching their post-secondary transition program, Prosper Academy, this August!
To learn more about Autism Action Partnership, visit autismaction.org or call (402) 763-8830.
Kids Can Community Center’s (KidsCan.org) mission is to educate, engage, and inspire children through early childhood care and out-of-school experiences. Kids Can serves children ages 18 months to 13 years old. They offer a variety of programs including early childhood education, before-and-after- school programs, summer and non-school day programs, tutoring, and mentoring. Kids Can utilizes the Creative Curriculum for their youngest students with the goal of ensuring all students are prepared to enter Kindergarten. School-age children participate in the STEMsmart Academy which focuses on science, technology, engineering, math, strength, music, art, reading, and tutoring supporting well-rounded children.
For more information about Kids Can Community Center, visit KidsCan.org, call (402) 731-6988, or email jgillman@kidscan.org.
RISE (www.seeusrise.org) is the largest nonprofit organization in Nebraska focused solely on habilitative programming in prisons and reentry support. At RISE, transformation starts prerelease and continues post-release. Their inside/out model bridges incarceration to the community and considers all the critical steps in that journey. They prepare and train people for each phase through intensive character development, employment readiness, job creation through entrepreneurship, family programming, and case management. RISE transforms people in the community by building awareness and empathy that leads to support and opportunity. These connections heal families, create employment pathways, and lower recidivism.
In addition to RISE’s In-Prison Program facilitated in seven state correctional facilities, RISE also offers a Youth and Family Program and the RISE Business Academy, a 12-week entrepreneurship program helping returning citizens launch new businesses.
The mission of RISE is to break generational cycles of incarceration. To learn more, visit www.seeusrise.org or call (402) 999-8063.
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS, www.LFSneb.org) expresses God’s love for all people through quality human care services for people in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County, supporting Safety, Hope and Well-Being through:
Children Services strengthens families and restores safe, happy childhoods through a continuum of care from prenatal to adulthood. Programs include Centers for Healthy Families in North Omaha and Council Bluffs, Adoption, Foster Care, and RSafe® sexual abuse treatment.
Behavioral Health programs heal minds and hearts through cutting-edge trauma therapy, substance abuse treatment, and integrated care services. Programs include Outpatient Mental Health, Crisis Response, and “LFS At Ease” support for active military, veterans, and their loved ones.
Community Services welcomes and provides comprehensive services to those seeking refuge from violence, oppression, and persecution, including refugee reception/placement, immigration legal services, and the International Center of the Heartland.
LFS has received the Better Business Bureau of Nebraska’s Integrity Award in 2017 and 2013 and a Greater Omaha Chamber’s Business Excellence Award in 2018.
Please consider volunteering your time, sharing your expertise, or making a financial gift. Other ways to support LFS include collecting items for donation such as children’s clothing and diapers.
To donate or learn more, please visit www.LFSneb.org, send an email to development@LFSneb.org, or call (402) 978-5622.