Youth Emergency Services Receives Funding from MACCH Grants
The Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (MACCH) and its partner agencies has earned nearly $4.7 million dollars from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In addition to renewal funding for rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing, MACCH received new project funding of $157,564 for Youth Emergency Services (YES; www.yesomaha.org) to expand rapid rehousing resources for local youth and young adults, ages 18 to 24.
“This additional resource will enhance efforts to end homelessness among young adults experiencing the crisis of homelessness,” said Lisa Vukov, MACCH assistant director. YES served nearly 4,000 young people through their various programs in 2017-2018, a 25% increase from the previous year.
The MACCH award is part of HUD’s nearly $2.2 billion nationally in renewal and grants for projects funded through the Continuum of Care (CoC) program. The grant money will support the continuing efforts to provide housing and support services to individuals and families in Douglas and Sarpy counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie county in Iowa.
MACCH is the Omaha metro area’s chief collaborative voice regarding the prevention and ending of homelessness. MACCH’s main objective is to secure funding for and unite the efforts of agencies such as YES that serve homeless and near-homeless individuals and families in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. For more information about the grant, contact Andrew Schnitker at (402) 689-5935 / andrewschnitker@unomaha.edu.
Youth Emergency Services is the only non-profit in Omaha with the sole mission to help homeless and nearly homeless in our community. Last year, YES provided support and services to a record number of 3,376 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. Some of the items included on the list are as simple as lip balm, hoodies, razors, etc. Other donations can go towards providing experiences for the youth by donating gift cards to restaurants, movie theaters, hair/nail salons, or other stores. To learn more about Youth Emergency Services, visit www.yesomaha.org or call (402) 345-5187.