Youth Emergency Services (YES) (yesomaha.org) provides housing and support to youth experiencing instability, crisis, and homelessness. The YES Street Outreach Center is the only center of its kind for homeless and near-homeless youth in the Omaha metro area. Because of this, YES fills a void in the community by providing a vulnerable population with necessary services, referrals and support that they may not receive elsewhere.
In just the past fiscal year, YES served 447 unduplicated youth clients. Meanwhile, the organization’s Street Outreach Center saw 1,949 check-ins—meaning that youth are returning to the Center to receive access to agency programs and resources.
In the hot summer months, needs shift to prioritize keeping youth cool. YES is seeking donations of summer items to help these youth. High priority summer items include: sunscreen, aloe, bug spray, bottled water, hygiene wipes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash, summer clothing (short sleeved shirts in all sizes) etc.
Donations can be dropped off at the Street Outreach Center (located at 2602 Harney Street) anytime Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For questions or to express interest in hosting a drive to collect summer items, please email especk@yesomaha.org.