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Nonprofit
Voices of Hope Joining Education Efforts in Honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and Voices of Hope is joining nationwide efforts to educate and engage the public in addressing this widespread issue. Voices of Hope provides services to empower those who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, and other forms of abuse. They offer free and confidential trauma-informed, victim-centered services to people of all genders. This includes information and support about reporting options, support during a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam, assistance with safety planning and protection orders, emotional support, and connection to other community resources. Sexual assault is a crime that impacts all of us, our colleagues, friends, families, and communities. Victims of sexual assault are people of all ages, races, and genders. Nearly one in five women in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape at some time in their lives. In the United States, one in 71 men have experienced rape or attempted rape. If you or someone you know has been a victim, Voices of Hope is here for you. They can provide a safe and confidential place to talk about options, do safety planning, and provide emotional support. You can call their 24-hour crisis line at (402) 475-7273. They believe and support survivors. You are not alone. For more information about April SAAM activities, please visit voicesofhopelincoln.org or contact Stephanie at (402) 476-2110 / Stephanie@voicesofhopelincoln.org.
Registration Now Open for SCIP Annual “Hop, SCIP, Jump and RUN” Fundraiser
Registration is now open for School Community Intervention & Prevention’s (SCIP’s) annual fundraiser, “Hop, SCIP, Jump and RUN,” brought to you by Family Health & Wellness Center, PC. The event—set for June 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Antelope Park—will feature activities, music, food and a one-mile Fun Run for both children and adults. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers. Before and after the run, attendees will have the opportunity to visit booths sponsored by local nonprofits offering a variety of activities, resources, or treats. After visiting a predetermined number of booths and activities, attendees will be eligible for prize drawings. Julie’s Hot Dogs will also be on-site. The one-mile Fun Run is $15 per person. Registrations purchased by May 21 include an event T-shirt. Children under 9 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets for the event can be purchased through the SCIP website at scipnebraska.com, and online registration closes on June 2 at 3 p.m. Registrations also will be accepted at the event. If you want to attend but not participate in the Fun Run, admission is free. To ensure the health and safety of participants, masks will be required except during the Fun Run. Social distancing and sanitation measures will also be implemented. School Community Intervention & Prevention works with schools throughout Nebraska by providing tools and resources to address behavioral and emotional health issues that impact children, adolescents, and their families. Money raised at this event will help SCIP provide needed resources to schools and families throughout the state of Nebraska. For more information about SCIP, visit scipnebraska.com. For details about the Fun Run, contact Valerie Hotsenpillar at vhotsenpillar@lmep.com / (402) 327-6843 or visit the SCIP website.
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Registration Open for Angels Among Us Golf Outing, Young Professionals Event
Angels Among Us hosts various fundraising events throughout the year to help meet the financial need of Nebraska’s pediatric cancer families, and has now opened registration for two summer events—the 11th Annual Bland Cares Golf Outing and the 2nd Annual Young Professionals event, Birds & Beer. Sponsorship opportunities are available for both events at www. myangelsamongus.org. In partnership with Bland & Associates and the Bland Cares Foundation, the golf outing is scheduled for July 12 at Champions Run golf course. It will feature 18 holes of golf, high-value raffle items, games on the course, and a day out of the office to support local cancer families. The Birds & Beer event is on tap for July 15, with the location to be announced in May. This is a casual FUNdraising event that brings in Nebraska breweries from throughout the state, plus state and local restaurants, to provide participants with the best chicken wings and brews going. Tickets are $35 per person and include all-you-can-taste food and drinks, a pint glass to keep, and a swag giveaway—all in a safe and socially distanced environment. Angels Among Us is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide financial and emotional support to any family whose child is battling pediatric cancer living in or being treated in the state of Nebraska. For more information about ways to make an impact and get involved in the Angels Among Us mission, please contact Aly Theilen at alyssa@myangelsamongus.org.
Do I have a problem with money? Or do I have a problem with gambling?
You or someone you know may have a problem with gambling. Help is just a phone call away.
CALL NOW FOR HELP OR INFORMATION
24/7 Helpline: 402.476.2300 CONFIDENTIAL. 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.
Local Provider CHOICES Treatment Center
127 S. 37th Street, Suite B Lincoln, NE 68510
402-476-2300 www.ChoicesTreatmentCenter.com
The Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program (GAP) pays for confidential counseling with certified problem gambling providers to Nebraskans and their families who suffer a gambling addiction.
A list of all GAP-certified counselors in Nebraska is located at www.problemgambling.nebraska.gov
Nebraska 24/7 Helpline—Call 1-833-238-6837 National/Nebraska 24/7 Helpline— 1-800-522-4700 APRIL 2021 Strictly Business 37
NCF Suggests Giving Back with Stimulus Checks, as Tax Provisions Benefit Donors
Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) recently pointed out how the latest stimulus check and the extended charitable tax provisions from last year’s CARES Act can benefit donors. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter daily life for many Nebraskans but a third round of stimulus payments, made possible by the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act, will help navigate the first half of 2021. For the luckiest among us—those who are comfortably retired, still employed, still healthy—NCF urges people to consider reinvesting that money, or a portion of it, into the place they call home. Donating stimulus money doesn’t just benefit the community—it benefits the individual making the gift. In December, lawmakers extended charitable tax provisions from last year’s CARES Act, including:
1. A deduction for charitable donors who do not itemize when filing their tax returns. If you do not itemize but make a gift to charity, you will be allowed to take a special tax deduction, up to $300, to reduce your tax liability. Joint filers can deduct up to $600. 2. An increase in the deduction limit up to 100% of a donor’s annual income for cash gifts (previously the deduction was capped at 60% of annual income). If you make a gift you will be able to deduct more this year. Nebraska Community Foundation sees this as an opportunity for community members to do their part in building a stronger, more resilient hometown, better prepared for the next unanticipated event the future inevitably holds. Learn more at NebraskaHometown.org.
NAM Launches Fourth COVID-19 Pulse Poll to Measure Pandemic Effects on Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) launched the fourth iteration of its COVID-19 Pulse Poll in late March and is encouraging nonprofits to participate in this important survey to help measure the ongoing effects of the pandemic on the region’s nonprofit industry. NAM first measured the impact of COVID-19 on the nonprofit community in March 2020, and information gathered through each poll provides comparative analysis about how nonprofits were faring last year compared to today. The results also identify trends and provide government, philanthropy and corporate sector leaders with access to valuable data at a time when the demand for nonprofit services is higher than ever. NAM is encouraging nonprofits in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa to complete the survey, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/NAMPulsePoll4, by April 7. The last COVID-19 Pulse Poll, conducted in October 2020, indicated that the pandemic has had significant budgetary implications for area nonprofits. Approximately 75% of the 248 nonprofit survey respondents reported budgetary implications related to the pandemic’s strains on the economy, estimating a combined total revenue hit of $54 million by October 2020, up $42 million from their estimates in April 2020. While demand for nonprofit services increased, nonprofits were restricted in their ability to respond due to the immediate need for supplies, staffing, volunteers, etc. from government, philanthropic, and business entities. The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands is a state association that represents more than 650 nonprofit organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. For more information, visit nonprofitam.org or contact Hannah Young at Hannah@nonprofitam.org.
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Nebraska Safety Council, Business Leaders Partner to Make a Difference on NE Roads
The Nebraska Safety Council (NESC) is working to make a difference on Nebraska roads, thanks in part to a grant allowing Road Safety Specialist Karen Rehm to partner with business leaders to provide information about road safety as part of their worksite safety initiatives. Funding for the NESC Road Safety Program is provided through the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office. The Road Safety grant focuses educational efforts on seatbelt safety, cell phone use, and distracted, impaired, and drowsy driving. To date, the Nebraska Safety Council has partnered with 24 companies, reaching 3,559 employees and 14,236 family members. The Road Safety grant continues through September. If your company would like to participate in the Road Safety Program, contact the Nebraska Safety Council office at (402) 483-2511, ext. 104 or email Karen Rehm at krehm@nesafetycouncil.org to let her know how NESC can help you and your team. This is a free benefit for NESC members. For more information about NESC, visit nesafetycouncil.org.
Pregnancy Center Annual Partnership Event April 27 Features Evening with Kevin Sorbo
The Pregnancy Center is excited to announce plans for its April 27 Annual Partnership Event featuring an evening with actor, director, producer, and author Kevin Sorbo. Kevin was born in Minneapolis, MN, is 100% Norwegian, and is proud of his Viking heritage. He is best known for his seven-year series, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, which became the most-watched TV show in the world. He later starred as Captain Dylan Hunt on Gene Roddenberry’s Adromeda and, since then, has starred in more than 45 movies, including Soul Surfer, What If, and the No. 1 independent movie of 2014, God’s Not Dead. Having spent more than 30 years in acting, directing, and producing, Kevin is also the author of the book “True Strength.” He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Sam, and their three children. The Partnership Event will be at the Lincoln Berean Church, 7400 S 70th St., with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. for the 7-8:30 p.m. program. Tickets—which can be purchased at pregnancycenterpartners.org or at the door—are $10 per person, supporting the ministry of the Pregnancy Center. COVID precautions will be in place with distanced seating, and no food or beverages will be served. Kevin was scheduled to speak at the event in 2020, which was canceled in the wake of the pandemic. He agreed to highlight the 2021 event, and while things will look differently this year, the Pregnancy Center is grateful for his partnership! The Pregnancy Center is a nonprofit, faith-based organization located in the heart of Lincoln, just off O Street. Every month, more than 400 young women in the community visit the Pregnancy Center for answers. These women desperately need love and support, and many of them are afraid and feel like they have no options. The Pregnancy Center offers comprehensive information about every option available to a woman facing an unintended pregnancy. They also provide confidential counsel, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, materials support, parenting classes, and character-based relationship education in school, all at no cost to their clients or taxpayers. For more information about the Pregnancy Center or the Partnership Event, call (402) 483-4247 or email patrick@ pregnancycenterlincoln.org.
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Wear Yellow Nebraska Celebration Night at Infusion Brewery on Tap for April 30
Wear Yellow Nebraska is asking supporters to head out to the Infusion Brewery Southwest, 6271 S 118 St. in Omaha, for their April 30 Celebration Night. On tap for 6-9 p.m. the event brings supporters together to celebrate another successful year of Wear Yellow Nebraska and the Wear Yellow Ride, Run and Walk and kick off what will be a stellar event in 2021! Even though 2020 was a challenging year for everyone, the community turned out to support the nonprofit and its key fundraising event, and Wear Yellow Nebraska wants to say Thank You to their caring supporters and fellow Nebraskans for joining in the fight against cancer. In honor of maintaining COVID precautions, the event will have the back garage doors open for fresh air—and hopefully warm weather! The Celebration Night will include a food truck beginning at 6 p.m., plus music by Conrad & Nellor, and games in the back room/lot of the brewery. Also available for the first time is a limited-edition pale ale created especially for Wear Yellow Nebraska friends!
Wear Yellow Nebraska is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a clear focus on niche initiatives for people who might otherwise fall through the cracks, truly caring for each individual’s special circumstances. To learn more or register for the 2021 Ride, Run and Walk, visit wearyellownebraska.org, call (402) 965-1699, or email contactus@wearyellownebraska.org.
HopeSpoke Inspires Healthy Futures Through Behavioral and Mental Health Services
HopeSpoke is inspiring healthy futures for children and their families through comprehensive behavioral and mentQal health services. HopeSpoke also serves adults across the lifespan. HopeSpoke will celebrate Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, May 2-8, and the entire month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
“With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, did you know that caring for your mental health is a vital part of living a healthy, fulfilling life? Caring for your physical health is ingrained in us but not our mental health. That needs to change,” said HopeSpoke Executive Director Katie McLeese Stephenson, MSW. During the pandemic, there have been additional stressors that we are facing and focusing on our mental health is more important than ever. There are a number of very simple ways that you can enhance your mental health and overall well-being. Ideas include: Get enough sleep each night; keep yourself hydrated with more water and less caffeine and drinks containing sugar; get outside daily; and complete some type of exercise for 30 minutes inside or outside. Some exercise is more fun than other exercise, but it all counts. Ideas include taking a walk, playing outside with your children, enjoying a bike ride, etc.
Excited for warmer days? Might be time to spruce up your favorite pair of sandals!
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TeamMates Mentors Safely Stay Connected with Students Throughout Pandemic
Parochial and public schools across Lincoln have empowered more than 1,300 students to stay connected with their Lincoln TeamMates mentors. Masked and distanced, more than 650 students and their volunteer mentors have held 6,750 in-person meetings since school started. “Without the welcome of volunteer mentors in schools, so many young people in Lincoln would have lost ground in these important relationships,” says Jim Bennett, coordinator. “Support of schools has been critical in navigating the pandemic.” Superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, Dr. Steve Joel, described his decision to approve TeamMates mentors in schools this way, “When we look at our graduation rate, when we look at our student success rate, when we look at our student hope rate, we attribute a lot of that to our community partnerships, none as important as TeamMates.” Parents have played a key role in facilitating mentorships for students attending school via Zoom, making sure they have everything in place for virtual mentor meetings. To date, TeamMates staff have hosted 2,800 Zoom meetings connecting more than 450 remote matches. TeamMates Mentoring of Lincoln makes a meaningful impact in the local community and beyond by inspiring youth to reach their full potential through mentoring. Matches meet once a week in school or twice a month for remote learners and/or mentors who request to meet virtually instead of in person. For more information about TeamMates or to inquire about becoming a mentor, please visit LincolnTeammates.org.
Friendship Home Seeking Volunteers to Support Their Mission in Various Positions
Friendship Home relies on volunteers to support their mission, and they are encouraging anyone who is interested in helping victims of domestic violence and their children, to reach out to the organization. They strive to have each volunteer in a position that showcases their individual talents and strengths. Open volunteer positions include:
• Welcome Home Volunteer: Create a foundation for the women and their children in shelter by preparing a safe, welcoming environment for them. • Digital Engagement Volunteer: Spread awareness about Friendship
Home’s lifesaving mission and promote events through social-media platforms and other means of web-based communication. • Facilities Volunteer: Help keep facilities and landscaping looking beautiful all year long, including pulling weeds, planting flowers and plants, raking leaves, etc. Group and individual opportunities available. • Hospitality Volunteer: Provide Friendship Home residents and their children with premade, oven-ready frozen meals. Not a fan of cooking? Assist in pick-up and delivery of groceries to all being sheltered at Friendship Home. Friendship Home provides crisis services, emergency shelter, and transitional housing to victims of domestic violence and their children. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call Friendship Home's 24/7 crisis line at (402) 437-9302. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Rainey at (402) 437-9367, or go to friendshiphome.org.
Lincoln Goodwill invites neighborhoods to participate in their 9th annual Neighborhood Challenge, which is a competition among Neighborhood Associations in Lincoln that encourages neighbors to donate leftover items from garage sales or clean-ups. Goodwill will provide convenient and free pick-ups for participating neighborhoods from April through August. Pick-ups can be scheduled any day of the week, from a centralized location for the entire neighborhood. Each participating association will also receive advertising and marketing materials, upon request, to aid in organizing and promoting their events. The top three Neighborhood Associations (in terms of pounds collected) that gather donations exceeding 2,000 pounds will win a cash prize. In 2020, Goodwill diverted 2.2 million pounds of materials from Lincoln landfills through community donations. Donations directly support Goodwill’s partners, including the Community Justice Center, Lincoln Literacy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and YWCA Job Outfitters, as well Goodwill’s Job Connection and Retail Organizational Employment program. Goodwill Lincoln’s annual Neighborhood Challenge presents an opportunity to provide a convenient donation location for the community, help the environment, and support employment programming in the Lincoln community. Contact donate@lincolngoodwill.org, call 402742-8456, or visit lincolngoodwill.org for further information about participating in the Neighborhood Challenge.
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach Staff Engages in Diversity, Inclusion Workshop
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach staff members recently participated in a workshop facilitated by Inclusive Communities of Omaha about creating inclusive work environments. Topics covered included identity, intersectionality, systems of advantage, socialization, and implicit bias. During the workshop, staff members reflected on their own and others’ visible and non-visible identities, recognized the role of socialization in shaping personal beliefs/biases, and explored ideas of privilege in the workplace and community. “I’ve been with Matt Talbot for more than 20 years and welcoming diversity has historically been a strength,” said Executive Director Susanne Blue. “As we begin a strategic planning process this year, one of our goals is to build and sustain an inclusive community. This workshop is a critical first step to creating a space with mutual trust, acceptance, and respect for all.” Everyone is welcome to walk through the open doors at Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach and get a prepared meal two times a day. While at the facility, guests learn about other outreach and homeless prevention services available, such as housing, case management, tenant education classes, assistance with acquiring vital identification documents, substance use services, shower and laundry services, and assistance with basic and emergency needs. It is a safe and welcoming place where those who struggle with poverty, homelessness, or addiction can find respite and hope. Learn more at mtko.org.
Space Available in Variety of Terrific Bright Lights Summer Camps in 2021
Registration is open for 2021 Bright Lights Summer Camps, with space remaining in a variety of half-day and full-day camps for your students this summer. From robotics to rock climbing and cooking to coding, they have something for everyone! Bright Lights Summer Camps gives youth the opportunity to focus on their talents, strengths, and interests in summer camps that will make the most of their out-of-school time. It’s an ideal way for K-8 students to maximize the fun of summer vacation while reassuring parents that their children are avoiding “the summer slide” learning loss.
Bright Lights camps take place in five week-long sessions: June 7-11, June 14-18, June 21-25, June 28-July 2, and July 12-16. Want to make it a full day of fun without registering for a full-day camp? Just choose a half-day morning camp at Holmes Elementary, and then add Lunch Care and a half-day afternoon camp at Holmes. If you need to drop kids off before you head to work, Bright Lights also offers Before Care beginning at 7:30 a.m. at select sites. Simply choose it during the online registration process. To register for 2021 Bright Lights Summer Camps and learn more about available camps, visit BrightLights.org and click on the registration link. You can filter the camp results by the grade your student is in this spring so you can see all the half- and full-day camps from which your particular student can choose. If you have older students (8th grade and up), they can also gain some resumeworthy experience and fun volunteer hours by applying to be a camp assistant. These valuable volunteers provide support to teachers in each of Bright Lights’ 90+ camps, enriching the experience for everyone involved. To apply to become a camp assistant, visit brightlights.org/assistants.
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The Bridge Behavioral Health Raising Funds to Replace 17-Year-Old McQuay HVAC System
The Bridge Behavioral Health, a nationally accredited substance use treatment center that provides safe passage from addiction to sober living, is currently raising funds to replace their 17-year-old secondfloor McQuay heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This is a large, industrial unit, and will take a crane to replace from the roof of the building. The Bridge is seeking support from the community to help fund this project, with an estimated price tag of $200,000. To date, the fundraising campaign has raised more than $66,000 toward that total, with special thanks to support from Pinnacle Bank, Union Bank & Trust, The Lee and Debbie Stuart Foundation, Cornhusker Bank, and an anonymous donor. The Bridge Behavioral Health has served as an essential part of the Lincoln community’s safety net since 1984, connecting people suffering from addiction and related mental-health issues with support and treatment. The Bridge provides caring substance use, trauma, and mental-health treatment services. The individuals seeking safe passage from addition to sober living find it at The Bridge through a variety of support and treatment options, including medically supervised detoxification, substance use and mental health respite, residential treatment, and a variety of recovery support services. If you are interested in being a part of this campaign or have questions about it, please reach out to Brianna Georgeson at bgeorgeson@thebridgenebraska.org. To learn more about Bridge Behavioral Health, visit thebridgenebraska.org.
Community Action, Econic Working Together to Make a Difference in Lincoln Community
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a greater-than-ever need for services provided by Community Action, and thanks to philanthropic assistance from Econic and other community partners, they’ve been able to answer the call to fight poverty throughout the pandemic. Econic, a Lincoln-based business, actively seeks opportunities to give more. “One of our core values at Econic is to give more,” said Anna Lopez, a member of the operations team there. “This means that we actively choose to have a mindset of abundance and to search for opportunities to give in our relationships and our communities. We are proud to be able to support the important work of Community Action, whose empowering poverty-fighting services are so critical for the long-term stability of our community.” The need for Community Action’s services has been significant. Requests for rent and utility assistance from Community Action between July 2020 and February 2021, for example, were almost double year-on-year. Community Action’s Gathering Place has also observed greater than average demand for meals; in September, the soup kitchen served the highest-ever number of meals every in one month: 4,158. For more about Community Action, including how you can help, visit communityactionatwork.org. To learn more about Econic and its services, visit econic.co.
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Registration Open for Junior Achievement Golf Classic on June 7 at Wilderness Ridge
Registration for the Junior Achievement (JA) Golf Classic now is open! Presented by Lutz and on tap for June 7 at Wilderness Ridge, the JA Golf Classic will deliver a full day of golf and networking while inspiring and preparing a generation for success. Corporate, team, and hole sponsorships are available, in addition to player slots for the first 144 golfers who register. The event includes breakfast, a shotgun start at 10 a.m., lunch, appetizers, beverages, a silent auction, awards, door prizes, and loads of fun! Junior Achievement of Lincoln empowers kids to believe in themselves and have a sense of purpose so they can achieve their highest potential. JA Lincoln has been impacting students’ lives for 50 years. Get details about sponsorships and benefits and register for the Golf Classic by visiting lincoln.ja.org/events. Support the JA Golf Classic to help continue changing students’ lives for the next 50 years! If you have questions, contact Special Event Coordinator Kim Pramberg at (402) 467-4479 / kpramberg@jalincoln.org.
CBMC to Host Upcoming Business Luncheon, Lunch and Learn, 20th Annual Golf Classic
CBMC Lincoln recently announced three upcoming events and opportunities for the business and professional community, including a Business Connection luncheon on April 27, a free Lunch and Learn event on April 28, and the 20th Annual CBMC Golf Glass on July 26. The Business Connection will be at Suite One Eleven, in the Clocktower shopping center in east Lincoln. It provides an opportunity to gain insights about life and work, network with others in the Lincoln business community, and learn how faith in Christ can impact your life. The featured speaker is David Watson, founder and CEO of RentVision, a full-fledged, industry-innovating digital marketing agency. Their mission is to make renting of their clients’ apartments easy by delivering a predictive leasing platform that optimizes marketing and revenue management. On April 28, CBMC will conduct a free “Lunch and Learn” event for men at the CBMC office (1065 N 115th St., STE 100) to learn about the organization’s Peer Advisory Groups. Three types of groups are available: Trusted Advisor Forums, Young Professionals, and Executive Roundtables. At the luncheon, CBMC leaders will demonstrate, explain, and enable participants to experience the Peer Advisory Group process. These groups provide Godly counsel, mutual support, accountability, and insights to business and life challenges. To learn more, contact Ed Nix with CBMC at enix@cbmc.com. Finally, save the date for a special 20th Annual Lincoln CBMC Golf Classic on July 26 at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course. The event includes a golf scramble and luncheon with a featured guest speaker. The luncheon portion is open for anyone to attend. CBMC Lincoln is part of a global ministry that encourages men toward spiritual development, personal integrity, principled leadership, and a desire to impact others positively. To learn more about CBMC Lincoln, call (402) 540-1093 or visit Lincoln.cbmc. com. Follow them on Facebook at (@cbmclincolnne).
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Fresh Start Shares 30 Wishes to Celebrate 30 Years of Service to Women in Need
Fresh Start is turning 30, and they’re sharing 30 wishes and stories between now and August to celebrate their history of serving women experiencing homelessness. Fresh Start first opened its doors in 1991 and its mission has remained the same–to provide a safe, caring, supportive environment for women to change their lives. Thirty years later, Fresh Start is still here encouraging, celebrating, and helping women do the hard work of creating a better future for themselves and their families.
To follow the 30 wishes from staff, alumna, residents, volunteers, and board members, follow Fresh Start on Facebook (@ FreshStartHomeLincoln). It takes a village to make Fresh Start successful and each person gets involved with the program for a different reason, and you’ll hear about those reasons firsthand. They are excited to share all of their stories with you! Fresh Start’s mission is to empower women experiencing homelessness to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency by recognizing and using their strengths. They are more than a shelter; they provide a goal-oriented program designed to support women who are working diligently to improve their lives. Fresh Start is grateful for the community for walking this journey with them. Your support makes it all possible. Get involved with Fresh Start by visiting their website at FreshStartHome. org. To donate or volunteer, contact Audrey at (402) 475-7777 / audreyb@FreshStartHome.org.
Walk Together, But Apart, in 2nd Virtual American Heart Association Heart Walk
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to keep Americans distanced, the American Heart Association (AHA) is embracing the new normal and moving its iconic Lincoln Heart Walk to a virtual platform for the second consecutive year. On Saturday, May 15, Heart Walk participants and teams will remain physically apart but together in their efforts to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, encourage physical activity, and raise lifesaving funds for AHA, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all. Get moving at home and around your neighborhoods, follow along with the fun on Facebook (@HeartNebraska), take a walk outside, get the whole family involved with an indoor dance party, try out some new strengthening exercises, create an at-home circuit workout, or do whatever gets you moving for heart health! “We know that COVID-19 has made it even more challenging for people who are at risk for heart disease and stroke to get out and be active,” said Lincoln Heart Walk Director Cori Lamm. “This virtual format allows everyone to continue to have fun and support our lifesaving mission, while remaining safely distanced. We are grateful for the support from our community.” The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. To learn more or register for the virtual Lincoln Heart Walk, visit www.LincolnHeartWalk.com. Stay up-todate by downloading the Heart Walk mobile app, and encourage friends and family to join in via email or social media. On the day of the event, everyone is encouraged to wear their Heart Walk shirts and post pictures and videos to document their activity using #LincolnHeartWalk. Money raised funds research, advocacy, CPR training, and promotion of better health.
APRIL 2021 Strictly Business 43
CenterPointe Providing Beacon of Hope via Programs More Tailored to Youth, Families
Among the newer services offered at CenterPointe’s outpatient facility are ones specifically tailored to providing a beacon of hope to youth and their families. That includes outpatient therapy, family therapy, Parenting Magic 1, 2, 3, and group therapy. For all youth and family services, walk-ins are welcome, or you can call to make an appointment. And when it comes to results, nothing speaks louder than firsthand stories from people who have already participated in CenterPointe’s youth and family program, like this one: “I came to CenterPointe after being hospitalized,” an individual participant said. “There was a lot of buzz going on in my head, and I was really struggling with day-to-day functioning. Coming home from the hospital, even with the partial programs provided, seemed daunting. Having a supportive network of peers and staff to meet with so often, when coming out of such a vulnerable place, was exactly what I needed in order to adjust back into my surroundings. Being alone at the time would surely have only made things worse. The skills I learned during my time in the group continue to help me see things through a different lens and give me new options on how to approach my mental health. I am so grateful for the time I spent going over these skills and for the people who I met along the way.” CenterPointe offers a broad continuum of nearly 40 care programs for the disadvantaged, individuals and families facing homelessness, and those with mental health challenges. For more information, visit centerpoint.org. To make an appointment for youth and family services programs, call (402) 475-5161.
Vision Maker Media Launches Environment- Themed Programs to Celebrate Anniversary
Vision Maker Media (VMM) is launching its first environmentthemed program as part of its 45th Anniversary and in acknowledgement of International Earth Day via an online film-streaming event. “commUNITY: Environment is Sacred” is a curation of five films, featuring themes of water, energy, Indigenous food, and health. These themes highlight important environmental issues that have a direct effect on Native lands and an Indigenous philosophy for the world to better understand. The films will be available for worldwide streaming 24/7 at visionmakermedia.org throughout April. This event is free and open to the public, though registration is required at visionmakermedia.org. VMM also is presenting two online events about environmental issues, including a social media challenge asking everyone to contribute to the environment by doing a trash pick-up challenge around their local community. Vision Maker Media will also present a moderated panel in collaboration with Indigeneity, a Native-led program within Bioneers that promotes Indigenous approaches to solve the earth’s most pressing environmental and social issues. Bioneers is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote practical and innovative solutions to global environmental and bio-cultural challenges. Vision Maker Media is a nonprofit established in 1976 with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Nebraska Educational Television (NET). Their mission is to empower and engage Native people to share their stories. Learn more at visionmakermedia.org or follow on Facebook and Instgram (@visionmakermedia).
