30 minute read
Nonprofit
Best Care EAP Sets Free Monthly Webinar, Grit and Bear It! for Wednesday, April 21
Best Care EAP invites individuals, area businesses, and their teams to join them for a FREE webinar on April 21, called “Grit and Bear It!—How to Become Mentally Tough.” Set for 9 a.m., the webinar will feature Best Care Training Consultant Dave Dechant, who will define grit and lay out a proven plan for tapping into the grit that lives in each of us. In short, grit is the perseverance and passion to achieve long-term goals. Sometimes you will hear grit referred to as mental toughness, and researchers assert that grit is a strong predictor of one’s success and ability to reach goals.
“As we begin to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, many of us are aching to return to a ‘normal’ life,” Dave said. “Unfortunately, there’s still a great deal in order to reconnect with each other and restore our economy. What can sustain us in the weeks and months ahead? Grit!”
Best Care EAP offers emotional and mental health support to your employees, helping them focus on their jobs when problems in their personal lives get too overwhelming. They also offer a number of professional development options, performance coaching, and leadership training. To register for Grit and Bear It!—How to Become Mentally Tough, please call Best Care EAP at (402) 354-800 or email them at EAP@BestCareEAP.org.
Assistance League of Omaha® Excited to Announce Return of 2 Live Events in May
After a long pandemic-related dry spell for live events, the Assistance League of Omaha® (ALO) is excited to announce two in-person programs in May—their annual Spring Style Show and Luncheon and their Annual Meeting! Like so many other organizations, the Assistance League has canceled and postponed so many of their programs and functions in the last year, but with hope peeking its head on the horizon, the return of live events is a welcome start to spring.
The annual Spring Style Show and Luncheon is scheduled for May 11 at Champions Run Country Club, both for members and guests. Nearly a dozen local retailers and vendors will be presenting some new spring fashions, with modeling by Assistance League members. On May 25—again at Champions Run Country Club—ALO will hold their Annual Meeting, preceded by a social hour and luncheon. The new Board of Directors for 2021-22 will be installed at this meeting, as they bid farewell to the 2020-21 Board, recognize them for their hard work, and wrap up the work for their term. The Assistance League of Omaha® is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organization whose members identify, develop, implement, and raise funding for ongoing philanthropic programs to serve specific needs of children and adults in the Greater Omaha area. They remind the public to check out their new ALO Thrift shop at 8502 West Center Rd. It currently is open on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. only, but they hope to extend hours by summer if COVID restrictions relax. ALO Thrift carries great men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, coats, accessories, and lots of wonderful decorator items and small furniture. For more information about ALO or the May events, visit alomaha. org or call (402) 342-4288.
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Save the Date for the Midlands Community Foundation 2021 Golf Tournament August 9
Mark your calendars for the Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) 2021 Golf Tournament teeing off on August 9 at the Oak Hills Country Club. Registration is set for 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at noon. Last year’s sold-out tournament raised more than $45,000, with 150 golfers enjoying the beautiful weather and a great day of golf while raising money for local nonprofits. Proceeds from the annual golf tournament—one of the organizations two main fundraisers each year—go toward the mission of the MCF.
Midlands Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) whose mission to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement, and service. The MCF Board of Directors is made up of individuals from the Sarpy and Cass county areas who bring a high degree of involvement to the Foundation and its mission. MCF began as a community-based foundation in 1994. Since that time, they have enriched many local organizations through gifts and grants totaling more than $10 million. The Foundation has placed an emphasis on prevention and education. If you have questions about the 2021 Golf Tournament, email events@midlandscommunity. org or call (402) 991-8027. For more information about the Foundation, visit midlandscommunity.org.
OHB Participating in Share Omaha’s 2020 Do Good Week Presented by FNBO April 19-24
Omaha Home for Boys (OHB) is participating in Do Good Week April 19-24 and seeking community support for their mission. Share Omaha’s Do Good Week, presented by the First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO), encompasses five days dedicated to meeting the cash needs of nonprofits in our community, as well as volunteer and product needs, followed by a day of celebration.
OHB’s focus during Do Good Week is to secure funds to support the mental health needs of the youth and families it serves. The Clinical Services Program at OHB addresses mental health, behavioral health and substance abuse issues of clients as well as members of the community. In June 2020, the first teen entered OHB’s Crisis Stabilization Program, a new program that provides housing, therapy, and support to youth who find themselves in a crisis situation. The community’s support of OHB during Do Good Week will help teens and families in the region connect with therapy and family support. It will provide counseling services, education and skill building, helping youth and young adults become self-sufficient, productive members of the community.
Omaha Home for Boys equips youth, young adults, and families with the skills they need to become self-sufficient and productive members of the community. To support OHB during Do Good Week, go to shareomaha.org/nonprofit/OHB. For more information about OHB programs and mission, visit ohb.org or call (402) 457-7000.
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NAMI Omaha Announces April Affiliate Meeting is Set for April 1 Through Zoom
NAMI Omaha’s next Mental Health NAMI Affiliate meeting will be held virtually through Zoom on April 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Individuals from the Sarpy County Wellness Court will be speaking about how the court started, how individuals become eligible, and the goals for the program. Advance registration is required through Zoom, so contact namiomaha@gmail.com to request registration link.
Along with providing education, literature, support, workshops, conferences, and more, NAMI Omaha actively advocates at the local, state, and national levels to improve the services for and the lives of those affected by mental illness and their families. For more information about NAMI Omaha, visit namiomaha.org or call (402) 345-8101 / (877) 463-6264. For helpful articles about mental illness, follow NAMI Omaha on Facebook (@NAMIOmaha).
Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty Takes Getting Ahead Program into Workplaces
Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty will be taking their Getting Ahead curriculum into the workplace. This program has seen phenomenal success in the classroom, and now it's time to take it a step further. By collaborating with over 100 other agencies and organizations within the area, the 10week (4 hours/week) Getting Ahead program is able to be offered in English and Spanish across the metro. After the classes, Omaha Bridges will place Success Coaches in the workplace to connect employees to needed resources. The result: lower turnover, less absenteeism, and employee-graduates obtaining great life skills, i.e., problem solving, time management, goal setting, controlling emotions, and personal financial management. Simply put, employees are more stable and productive. In other communities, employers report a 200-400% ROI from dollars invested in Getting Ahead in the Workplace. “We take the classes to where the people are,” said Omaha Bridge’s Volunteer CEO and Founder Roger Howard, “and now we are moving into the workplace with several major employers." In addition, Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty has announced a partnership with UNMC to study the health improvements in graduates of the organization's Getting Ahead in the Workplace program. The negative impacts of poverty on health status are well documented, so Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty seeks to measure the positive health impact of Getting Ahead and replicate it across the metro, hopefully addressing health disparities and driving down the cost of care. To date, the Getting Ahead program has seen the following results: • 591 graduates • 94% graduation rate • $18,000 average increased income • Solid progress in 15 factor Stability Scale The Bridges Out of Poverty model defines poverty, not just as the lack of money but as the extent to which an individual lives without resources in defined key areas. The Bridges model is a holistic approach that empowers the individuals to lift themselves out of poverty to a stable, self-sufficient lifestyle. It's not about giving people fish, it's about teaching them how to fish. To learn more or get behind this mission, visit omabop. org or contact (402) 884-9665 / info@omabop.org.
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Open Door Mission Hosts Virtual Lydia House Baby Shower for Children, Expecting Mothers
Throughout the month of April, Open Door Mission is hosting a virtual Lydia House Baby Shower by asking the community to show your love to expecting mothers and children who are experiencing homelessness at the Lydia House—and others in need— by purchasing much-needed baby items. By making a donation, you are adding to a mother’s joy by helping provide for her precious baby. To participate, purchase items at your choice of retailers or visit the baby registries at Amazon, Walmart, and Target for needed items and send your gifts directly to Open Door Mission 2828 N 23rd St. E, Omaha, NE 68110 or drop them off at any of the Missions three donation/outreach centers. That’s all you have to do to help this community in need! Baby gifts requested include high chairs, teething cream/Orajel, single strollers, double strollers, Pack n’ Plays, infant car seats, toddler car seats, bathtub rings, baby baths, pacifiers, bibs, burp cloths, diaper cream, and baby washcloths. Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that meets the needs of individuals and families while inspiring HOPE for lasting change. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe shelter beds to homeless men, women, and children, serves about 4,750 nutritious meals, and provides preventive measures to more than 1,000 people living in poverty. For more information, visit opendoormission.org or contact Kristen Dineen at (402) 829-1538 / KDineen@opendoormission.org.
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.
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Heartland Hope Mission Expands Services to Underserved Areas in State of Nebraska
Heartland Hope Mission has expanded services to reach people in underserved areas in the state of Nebraska. In recent months, they have hosted mobile food pantries in the towns of Macy, Walthill, and Santee. Along with the mobile food pantry, they deliver hygiene products and baby diapers. The expansion arose because these towns are “food deserts,” whose residents do not have nearby access to a grocery store and where some families are living in extreme poverty. You can help, too! Partner with Heartland Hope Mission to ensure that the families living in underserved towns have access to fresh produce, meat, milk, and other necessary living essentials for their families. A donation of $31 to HeartlandHopeMission.org will help provide one person with enough food and hygiene products for an entire month. Heartland Hope Mission operates one of the largest food pantries in the state but is More Than a Pantry as they help families work toward selfsufficiency. The Mission primarily serves working poor families and those who may be facing a crisis situation, by providing them with a week’s supply of food, as well as clothing, diapers, job resources, and community referrals. Visit HeartlandHopeMission.org, like and follow Heartland Hope Mission on Facebook or Instagram (@HeartlandHopeMission) and LinkedIn (@Heartland Hope Mission) to keep up-to-date on all the great work they are doing in the community!
Child Saving Institute Partnership to Help Children, Families of Domestic Violence
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has partnered with the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) to launch a new program to bring healing and hope to children and their parents and caregivers who are survivors of domestic violence in the Omahametro area. The collaborative Family Empowerment Program is designed to aid hope and healing for parents/caregivers and their children (ages 4-13) who have experienced domestic or interpersonal violence, regardless of age, race, material status, or gender identity. “All children deserve happy childhoods,” said CSI President and CEO Peg Harriott. “In order to achieve safety and happiness for all children in our community, we understand that their parent or caregiver must be safe and heal from past trauma. We are thrilled to partner with the WCA to provide this new program model to those in need of these services in Omaha.” The Family Empowerment Program was supported by Grant Number 90EV0472 from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Child Saving Institute is dedicated to the prevention, intervention and healing of child abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Survivors of domestic violence may be referred to the Family Empowerment Program through community partners. Individuals may also inquire about program participation by contacting CSI directly. For more information, visit childsaving.org or contact Director of Prevention Services Jana Habrock at (402) 504-3637 or jhabrock@childsaving.org.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands Launches roundit Fundraising Campaign
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has partnered with the mobile giving platform, roundit, to help raise money from the community toward matching the 30+ kids on their waiting list with mentors. Once you spend the two minutes it takes set up your free, secure account at roundit and select an optimal monthly giving limit, roundit will round up your spare change every time you purchase something with your debit or credit card and donate it to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands! It’s really that easy to help Littles develop that special relationship with an adult mentor they can talk to and rely on for emotional and educational support and bonding. Step it up and volunteer as a Big match for a Little, while you’re at it!
For more than 60 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has been creating meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children ages 7-21 in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area, with a goal of helping children realize their potential and build their futures. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands or to volunteer, visit bbbsomaha.org. To get started with your roundit account, visit roundit.com.
JDRF Gala Promises to be an Exciting Evening for the Entire Family
The virtual 2021 JDRF Nebraska Gala is finally almost here and promises an exciting evening for the entire family— airing LIVE at 7 p.m. on April 17. JDRF has figured out how to engage everyone in the fun even though this year’s event is virtual. Get the family comfy on your couch and make it a special night—not just for your family but for the lives of children and adults who live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) worldwide and whose lives are enriched by JDRF funding for research to fight for cures and therapies!
Under the theme “Stronger Together,” the 2021 Gala will unite the T1D community to share progress made, celebrate this community’s philanthropic spirit, and remind the world that JDRF and the T1D community are not backing down until they cure this disease. The Gala will be hosted by Nikki Boulay and include heartfelt messages from JDRF Youth Ambassadors and Gala leadership; an online auction and Fund A Cure Program with Co-hosts Jennifer Griswold and Serese Cole of KMTV 3 News Now; and some exciting entertainment.
JDRF is the leading global organization funding T1D research. Their goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. For more information or to register for the JDRF Promise Gala, call (402) 397-2873 or visit jdrf.org/nebraskaiowa and scroll down to “Events.”
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Omaha’s Habitat for Humanity ReStores Now Accepting Volunteers, Donations
If your company is looking for a way to safely support the community, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s ReStores may be just what you need. The discount home improvement outlets, which support Habitat Omaha’s work, now are accepting limited numbers of volunteers in their stores. Volunteers help in a variety of ways, including painting or repurposing furniture, assisting with donations, and more. Masks are currently required for all staff, volunteers and customers.
With spring cleaning in full swing, another way companies can support the cause is by holding a donation drive to collect new and gently used home items. Omaha’s Habitat ReStores accept donations of new and gently used residential building supplies, household furniture, home décor items, and select commercial items that they determine will sell in their stores. Those interested in coordinating a donation drive should contact Jackie Knobbe, Senior ReStore Manager, at (402) 884-6798 / jknobbe@habitatomaha.org for details.
Omaha’s Habitat ReStores are discount home improvement outlets that sell new, used, and surplus merchandise at a fraction of their original retail cost to support Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. In addition to providing the public with low-cost building materials, Habitat ReStore helps the environment by diverting usable materials from local landfills. Omaha’s Habitat ReStores are open to the public. Learn more at OmahaHabitatReStore.org.
Youth Emergency Services Moves its 2021 Dance for a Chance Fundraiser to October
With an eye toward ensuring dancer and audience safety amid the ongoing pandemic, Youth Emergency Services (YES) has rescheduled its annual 2021 Dance for a Chance fundraising event to October 7 at the Omaha Design Center—with Presenting Sponsor Lindsay Corporation. After canceling last year’s event due to COVID-19 safety protocols, this year’s “Dance for a Chance: The Roaring Twenty-Twenties” was originally scheduled for August 2021. The date change provides additional time for COVID vaccinations and safer congregating.
“Because of the nature of our event—especially when you have dancers and instructors spending weeks practicing together before performing together—we wanted to make sure we give everyone time to vaccinate and then safely congregate,” said YES Director of Development Barb Farho. “We are looking into some virtual elements to add to this year’s event for those who may not feel comfortable attending in person, and we are looking forward to having an event where people can safely come together and celebrate.”
The 2019 Dance for a Chance proved the most successful in the history of YES, raising more than $130,000. Similar to Dancing with the Stars, Dance for a Chance pairs dancers with instructors, who then work together to create a dance, pick accompanying music, and practice together before competing in October. Attendees enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks, as well as a silent auction, wine grab, photo booth, and a variety of impressive dance routines with opportunities to cheer on and vote for their favorites.
Youth Emergency Services is the only nonprofit in Omaha with the sole mission to help youth experiencing homelessness and nearhomelessness in our community. For more information or to donate, visit yesomaha.org.
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Stephen Center Invites Omaha Community to Do Good for the Homeless April 19-24
Mark your calendars for a new way to support Stephen Center and people experiencing homelessness in our community. Join in SHARE Omaha’s Do Good Week, April 19-24, presented by First National Bank of Omaha and focused on all forms of support for local causes.
“Our community proved their generosity year over year on Omaha Gives! Day,” said Stephen Center Executive Director Michael Wehling. “Even in the last year, in the middle of the pandemic, more money was raised for nonprofits on a single day than ever before. Now, we can’t wait to see what the Omaha metro can do when we give together for more than one day.”
As Stephen Center continues to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness this year, all of forms of support are needed—dollars, time, and items. SHARE Omaha’s Do Good Week is an opportunity to provide all three.
Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center serves the homeless, addicted, and those in poverty. The campus includes a homeless emergency shelter, inpatient/outpatient co-occurring treatment, and permanent supportive housing for disabled and low-income individuals. In 2020, Stephen Center provided services to 1,278 men, women, and children and served more than 200,000 meals to people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and poverty. For more information about Stephen Center, visit stephencenter.org. Follow Do Good Week and donate on Stephen Center’s SHARE Omaha page at shareomaha.org/nonprofit/stephen-center-inc.
Vision Maker Media Launches EnvironmentThemed Programs to Celebrate Anniversary
Vision Maker Media (VMM) is launching its first environment-themed 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. For more information about commUNITY: Environment is Sacred or other April events, visit visionmakermedia.org or follow them on Facebook and Instgram (@visionmakermedia).
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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 to 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.
Join Kids Can Community Center for 2021 Can Do Award Celebration at Noon April 22
Kids Can Community Center invites the community to join their 2021 Can Do Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 22—a virtual streaming event— from noon to 1 p.m. The annual Can Do Awards are given to individuals and organizations in recognition of their contributions to our community. Tickets and sponsorships for the event are now available on the Kids Can website, and even if you cannot attend, there are options to purchase sponsorships or make individual donations to their cause!
The mission of Kids Can Community Center is to educate, engage, and inspire children through early childhood education and quality out-of-school experiences. Originally founded in 1908 as a Social Settlement Association, the nonprofit organization has evolved over the last century to meet the constantly changing needs of children and families in the community. For more information or to purchase tickets or sponsorships for the Can Do Awards, visit kidscan.org. Ticket or sponsorship purchases will come with a link to the livestream event. If you have additional questions, contact Cliff McEvoy at (402) 7316988 or cmcevoy@kidscan.org.
Outlook Enrichment Seeking Volunteers for Golf Tournament, Vision Beyond Site Event
Outlook Enrichment is seeking volunteers for two upcoming events—the Tee It Up Fore Sight Golf Tournament & Blind Golfer Clinic on June 10 and the Vision Beyond Sight fall fundraiser on November 19. Tee It Up Fore Sight has been called one of the bestrun charity golf events in Omaha. It’s a four-person scramble with lunch, dinner, and a raffle at the Indian Creek Golf Course in Elkhorn. Volunteers help with event registration, soliciting raffle prizes during the event, assisting golf-clinic participants, and other tasks, as needed.
Vision Beyond Sight is Outlook Enrichment’s fall fundraiser and a great way to meet supporters and program participants. Volunteers assist with decorating the event space, soliciting silent-auction items, greeting arriving guests, assembling event materials, and other tasks, as needed. Volunteers also work one-on-one with teens during events, provide office support, and captain tandem bikes as part of Outlook Enrichment’s Tandem Bike Club.
Outlook Enrichment is a nonprofit that provides resources and support to those with vision loss so they can remain independent. Like other nonprofits, Outlook relies on the generosity of volunteers to meet the needs of the people the organization serves. They need your support to continue assisting neighbors living with vision loss through their adaptive-technology training and culture, recreation, and peer-support programs. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at outlooken.org or call (531) 365-5051 to chat with their team about your interests.
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United Healthcare Grant Provided $300K for Saving Grace to Meet Growing Needs
Partnerships are at the very heart of Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue’s mission, and a recent case in point is a partnership with United Healthcare that netted a $300,000 grant for the nonprofit to purchase a new refrigerated van, buy a 14-foot replacement refrigerated truck, and add staff positions, outreach, and education. The grant is helping Saving Grace meet the increased demand for services by building capacity, which is especially crucial during the pandemic when more people than ever are food-insecure. Saving Grace works to save excess perishable food that otherwise would be wasted and provide it to organizations that are feeding hungry people in our community.
“This grant from United Healthcare is one example of how partnerships are crucial in every part of our program,” said Beth Ostdiek Smith, Saving Grace’s founder and CEO. “The new replacement refrigerated truck and van position us to better respond to emerging opportunities for food donations.”
All told, about 60 food vendors donate their surplus perishable food to Saving Grace, which then delivers it to the more than 40 nonprofit agencies that use this nutritious food for their clients. Financial donors, along with the relationships Saving Grace has built with key funders, also are critical to sustaining and growing these operations.
For more information about Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue or to become a funding partner, vendor, or nonprofit recipient of rescued food, visit savinggracefoodrescue.org or call (402) 215-6718.
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NALA Seeks Community Support to Pay $5K in Medical Costs for Rescued Dog
Now named Max, this German Shepherd was found as a stray in Wichita, KS and given only three days before being euthanized, but Nebraska Animal Loving Advocates (NALA) rescued him and is seeking community support to pay for about $5,000 in medical costs for lifesaving surgeries and procedures. X-rays show clearly that he has a broken leg, and his left leg bone is not in the hip socket. Currently with a caring foster mom, Max will need a femoral head ostectomy to remove the head and neck from his femur—or an amputation. His leg has been broken on the growth plate for at least a year, resulting in pain as well as muscle wasting and calcification of the bone trying to reattach in the wrong place. Max has a long road ahead of him, plus steep medical costs, but NALA will not give up on him. He is a sweet 2-year-old who deserves the good life.
The mission of Nebraska’s Animal Loving Advocates educates people about the dangers of puppy mills and the realities of backyard breeders. If you are interested in donating to help pay Max’s medical expenses, please visit www.nalarescue.org.
FAMILY, Inc. Plans Daily Projects for 2021 SHARE Omaha Do Good Week Fundraiser
FAMILY, Inc. is planning daily projects during SHARE Omaha’s Do Good Week, April 19-24, to enlighten donors about their mission to provide publichealth and family support to women, children, and families in the Omaha region. Do Good Week provides an outlet for celebrating and highlighting nonprofit successes by donating to help them continue serving the community, and FAMILY, Inc. is grateful for the community’s continued support toward their mission.
During Do Good Week, FAMILY, Inc. is celebrating Mission Monday, New Donor Tuesday, Wish-List Wednesday, Volun-Thursday, Fund it Friday, and Celebration Saturday to give community members options for helping in ways that truly make a difference in people’s lives. On Wish-List Wednesday, donors are invited to visit the FAMILY, Inc. Wish List on Amazon (a.co/oG5rfw3) to purchase specific items that help meet the nonprofit’s mission—for example, a host of children’s books to help with their Raise Me to Read campaign to support literacy and early learning. During April, FAMILY, Inc. will also be making extra Thank You gestures for their 2020 volunteers, in support of National Volunteer month!
FAMILY Inc. provides public-health education, support, and connection to resources for women, children, and families in Pottawattamie and Mills counties. To donate to FAMILY Inc.’s mission, visit familyia. org anytime or Shareomaha.org during Do Good Week. For more information, contact Kimberly at kkolakowski@familyia.org or (712) 256-9566, ext. 240.
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Tickets are now available for Boy’s Town’s 10th Annual Blue Water Bash at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 24. Whether you join them under the big tent for a socially distanced event, or virtually, it’s sure to be a fun-filled summer party to benefit Boys Town’s Okoboji Camp. Their goal is to raise $125,000, and sponsorships are greatly needed. Stay tuned for more information as Boys Town continues to navigate the safety guidelines for the event—and be sure to register your phone for early access and mobile bidding on their exciting auction items: just text boji21 to 76278.
Boys Town believes that every child deserves a future, and to fulfill that dream provides compassionate, high-quality care to at-risk children, focusing on the love, support, and education they need to thrive. Boys Town National Research Hospital offers a broad range of hospital and clinical services, backed by 40 years of research, to provide the most innovative care to their patients. Learn more at boystown.org. To get tickets or become a sponsor for the 2021 Blue Water Bash, visit e.givesmart.com/events/kt4/.
MLCDC Offers New ‘Mujeres Emprendedoras’ Education Program for Women Entrepreneurs
Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC) announced the launch of a new financial-education training series, “Mujeres Emprendedoras,” as part of its Women Entrepreneurs Program. The program includes five sessions addressing budgeting, loans and credit management, how much to spend on a vehicle and housing, and asset building and retirement.
The program creation stems from lessons learned during the pandemic. Specifically, MLCDC learned through their clients and participants during the last year that Latino communities in Omaha and Council Bluffs were more vulnerable than the average employee to losing their jobs to the pandemic. Some of the lost jobs will not return, or individuals will see their working hours reduced permanently, and personal financial decisions impact families' ability to respond to and meet basic needs during such times of crisis.
The new MLCDC trainings aim to deliver knowledge to low- and moderate-income participants to make more informed financial decisions. The program is being extended to the Council Bluffs community thanks to a partnership with Centro Latino of Iowa. Program participants will receive training and access to a personal financial coach to evaluate their financial situation and create an action plan with the goal of lowering their stress and financial burden. MLCDC trainings are supported by U.S. Bank, FNBO, and United Way of the Midlands.
The mission at the heart of the Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation is to provide training opportunities to low- and moderate-income individuals to achieve financial stability and economic growth through entrepreneurship. For more information about MLCDC, contact Juan Montoya at (402) 9334466 / info@midlandslatinocdc or visit midlandslatinocdc.org.
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