The Hope Center for Kids Partners with Release for New Mentoring Program

An exciting new partnership has been formed between Release and The Hope Center for Kids (www.hopecenterforkids.org) that will provide mentoring opportunities for hundreds of Omaha youth! Release is now operating and overseeing a mentoring program for the young people participating in programs at The Hope Center. The partnership will strengthen ties between the two organizations, creating increased opportunities for referrals, as both share similar values yet provide different sets of services to Omaha youth.

Release programming includes mentoring, foster care, mental health services, social work, and chaplain services for incarcerated youth. Their services will collaborate well with The Hope Center, who provides a safe after-school and summer program/academic support, faith-based learning opportunities, hot meals, an employment and learning academy, and the Schenzel Community Center.

“This partnership will expand the missions of both organizations in a cost-effective manner, and we thank God for all He will do in the lives of Omaha youth through this collaboration,” said Executive Director of Release Dave Wininger.

“When youth are mentored, their grades and relationships improve, their antisocial activities decrease, and we know that they are also then more likely to enroll in college, as well as serve as a mentor themselves one day,” says Hope Center Education Director Erline Charles.

Release employees 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 or visit www.releaseinc.org.

The Hope Center for Kids is a faith-based after-school and summer program for K-12 students in north Omaha, where an average of 250 members are offered academic support in a fun and safe learning environment. Since 1998, children and youth have received a nutritious meal every weeknight, as well as life transforming opportunities such as tutoring, college visits and field trips, employment training, and more. Get involved at www.hopecenterforkids.org or call (402) 341-4673.