Board Names Kalisha Reed Interim Executive Director of Youth Emergency Services
The Youth Emergency Services (YES, www.yesomaha.org) Board of Directors has named Kalisha Reed to lead the organization as the interim executive director. Reed steps in for Mary Fraser Meints, who left the organization January 3. She will serve in this capacity while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement. YES programs will operate business as usual during this time.
“I’m excited to lead YES with the support of the YES Board of Directors, Trustees, and staff,” Reed said. “YES does amazing things in the community to help homeless and near-homeless youth, and we’re prepared to do even more great things moving forward.”
Reed brings many years of leadership experience at various levels – including executive director – to her new role.
She joined the YES team in October as the director of program services after serving as the executive director of Right Turn, which closed services in September 2021.
During her time at Right Turn, Reed managed a budget of nearly $2 million, and developed and implemented a strategic plan to increase monthly referrals by 10%. She also actively sought partnerships outside of Omaha and Lincoln to strengthen the organization’s mission and vision, and researched, implemented, and launched the program’s first cloud-based data management and case documentation system.
Prior to that, Reed served for five years with Children’s Respite Care Center (CRCC), first as the behavior Health Clinical manager/therapist and the final four years as the director of therapy operations. She also worked as a therapist and counselor with CHI Health, Heartland Family Service, Boys Town, and Girls, Inc. of Omaha.
Reed holds two Master’s degrees – one in Organizational Performance and the other in Clinical Counseling – from Bellevue University, where she has been an adjunct instructor since 2018. Her bachelor’s degree is in Pre-Law with a minor in business from the College of Saint Mary.
She is an advisor and board member of the Pre-Law Program at the College of Saint Mary as well as a member and mental health community liaison for the South Omaha Community Care Council.
Youth Emergency Services is the only nonprofit in Omaha with the sole mission to help homeless and near-homeless youth in our community. Last year, YES provided support and services to hundreds of youth in the Omaha metro area. 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 a Street Outreach Center, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Program, Prevention, Rapid Rehousing, Transition in Place (TIP), Making A Connection (MAC) and Maternity Group Home, among others. To learn more, visit www.yesomaha.org.