Non-profits in our community are one of the reasons Nebraska is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Whether they are providing food for the homeless, comforting grieving children, helping businesses be more environmentally friendly or providing other valuable services, non-profits play a vital role in our city. However, they cannot do it alone. Non-profits rely on the support of the individuals and businesses in our community to help them continue their mission. Some of them need donated supplies, while others may need volunteers to help them work with those who need help or to assist them at fundraising events.
Those who are in business have a special opportunity to help out non-profits. By getting the entire company involved, you can make a huge difference in how a non-profit is able to help those they serve. Here are a few of the wonderful organizations in Lincoln which you should consider supporting.
Lincoln Animal Ambassadors
www.lincolnanimalambassadors.org
Lincoln Animal Ambassadors is a grassroots organization committed to improving the lives of companion animals and eliminating pet homelessness in Lincoln and the surrounding area. LAA’s low-cost spay/neuter program has helped alter more than 300 cats and dogs in just its first year, preventing many unwanted litters of kittens and puppies. In addition, more than 22 tons of pet food has been distributed since September of 2009 through LAA’s pet food bank. Together, these two programs help prevent more pets from being surrendered to shelters and ensure that more will have the opportunity to be adopted from rescue groups.
Needs: LAA needs volunteers and monetary donations to keep these programs operating. LAA is also looking for businesses willing to organize a company pet food drive and/or match employee donations.
Contact: 402-817-1168
Junior Achievement
http://www.ja.org/
A want versus a need. How to balance a checkbook. Don’t you wish that someone had taught you those things as you were growing up? Now there is someone. YOU. All we need is your enthusiasm, life experience, and a willingness to teach children about how you took chances and shot for the stars. It’s Easy! Junior Achievement provides the training, materials, curriculum, and a classroom ready to meet you.
The Commitment: Your commitment could vary from five to eight classrooms sessions ranging from 30 to 45 minutes in length. It all depends on the grade level of the program you choose. You can choose your classroom based on a number of factors. We’re flexible!
Contact: Kelly Pargett, 467-1741.
Fresh Start
www.FreshStartHome.org
Fresh Start helps women who are homeless change their lives. Fresh Start offers basic needs, case management and support to women who are striving to reach their goals and be self sufficient. Fresh Start is the only transitional shelter where women may come for any reason, and that does not automatically charge fees.
There are many ways to support Fresh Start, from volunteering to donations of needed items. Volunteer opportunities range from helping for one hour a month to serving on the Board of Directors or helping plan an event.
For more information please visit our website www.FreshStartHome.org or call us at 475-7777.
City Impact
www.cityimpact.org
City Impact is an organization in the heart of Lincoln that exists to see lives transformed from the inside out. Youth leadership programming helps urban youth identify their strengths and discover how to take personal responsibility for their lives. Mentoring and tutoring programs bring volunteers and children/teens together right where they live, preparing them for a fulfilling future. Fostering long-term relationships in our under-resourced neighborhoods is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Teens in the Impact Leadership Academy are already making our community a better place by taking on projects like revitalizing playground areas at The Friendship Home.
Needs: Monthly mentors, weekly reading tutors during the school year and weekly faith program volunteers.
Contact: Jo Sheets, 402-477-8080 or jsheets@cityimpact.org
People’s City Mission
www.peoplescitymission.org
The People’s City Mission provides emergency shelter for over 275 homeless men, women, and children each night, plus transitional housing for over 75 men and women recovering from homelessness. The Mission’s Distribution Center offers free food, clothing and household items to nearly 20,000 Lincoln residents with incomes below 150% of the U.S. poverty line. The PCM FREE Medical Clinic offers a wide range of free health services to uninsured Lancaster County residents, providing nearly 10,000 patient visits in 2010. Last year PCM served over 26,751 people with 98% of their funding coming from private donations and earned Charity Navigator’s four star rating for the sixth year in a row for fiscal responsibility. 92% of their funds go directly to the need.
For more information, please visit www.peoplescitymission.org.
The Nebraska Safety Council
www.nesafetycouncil.org
The Nebraska Safety Council is a non-profit organization celebrating its 50th year providing safety education. “Accidents” are the fifth leading cause of death for Nebraskans and the leading cause of death for ages 1-44. The Council’s mission is to provide education and resources on safety in the workplace, on our roads and in our communities. We want you and your family to work..drive..live safe!
Visit our website – nesafetycouncil.org for resources to promote and educate on workplace, driving and home safety.
Contact: Nebraska Safety Council – 402/483-2511
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
www.jdrf.org
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the worldwide leader in funding research to cure type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly and lasts a lifetime. JDRF is the leading funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes science. JDRF’s mission has been constant since it was founded four decades ago: to find a cure for type 1 diabetes through the support of research. Until a cure is found, JDRF is also committed to working tirelessly to develop new and better treatments to improve the lives of people who have type 1 diabetes and keep them as healthy as possible.
For more information, please contact Rob Waterhouse at (402) 484-8300 or email rwaterhouse@jdrf.org.
Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs
www.lcad.org
Since 1962 the Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs (LCAD) has been a resource for parents, schools, spouses and employers when looking for answers to questions about alcohol and substance abuse issues including prevention, intervention and treatment resources. Since 2005 LCAD has provided technical assistance to Lancaster County Community Groups working to change attitudes and culture as it relates to underage drinking and drug use through environmental strategies, changing normative beliefs and other resources like the Safe Homes Parent Network. LCAD is also approved by Region V Systems to provide adult substance abuse evaluations.
For more information www.lcad.org.
Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Lincoln
www.lincolndiocese.org
The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Lincoln is the Catholic community foundation of Southern Nebraska. The Foundation manages over 50 different endowments and funds, valued at over $32 million dollars, that support Catholic parishes, schools, and organizations located in the Diocese of Lincoln. The Foundation offers professional charitable gift planning resources to help people find the best way to support their Catholic parish, school, or favorite Catholic organization.
You can find more information by going to www.dioceseoflincoln.org and click on the Foundation logo. Or contact executive director, Michael Henkenius at 402-488-2142 or email him at michael-henkenius@lincolndiocese.org.
Friendship Home
www.friendshiphome.org
Formed in 1978, Friendship Home is Lincoln’s only specialized emergency and transitional shelter program for battered women and their children. Friendship Home offers the vital services and safe shelter women and children must have in order to leave a violent home. In 2010, Friendship Home served almost 1,500 women and children through its various programs and services. If you need help, call 402.437.9302. A trained advocate is available to talk every hour of every day.
Needs: Seeking volunteers to work with children and to walk in our Safe Quarters drive October 2
Contact: Tracy at 434-0167
Lincoln Lutheran
www.lincolnlutheran.org
High school is a time of change and preparation. As teens enter adulthood, their values, skills, and knowledge are formed into a foundation that will support them throughout life. At Lincoln Lutheran, we provide students with an academically strong education while developing a Christian worldview that prepares them for college and life.
Lincoln Lutheran also provides a challenging curriculum for students in grades 6-12 through distinct middle-school and high-school programs. Our current enrollment for the upcoming school year is 384, providing the best of both worlds-small student to teacher ratio and a variety of college preparatory classes.
Visit our website at www.lincolnlutheran.org.
Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation
www.shortbowelfoundation.org
The Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation’s (SBSF) is a non-for-profit 501(c)(3) with a mission to provide education, support, and empowering patients who live with the condition and the healthcare providers who help patients to manage Short Bowel Syndrome. SBSF empowers patients and their families to live fuller lives by connecting them to necessary resources, creating a lifeline of hope. Patients, their families, and providers come first in everything that we do.
Needs: SBSF is currently seeking donations/sponsorship opportunities to fund a seminar in Washington D.C. in September.
Contact: Andrew Jablonski at 402-770-0554
Habitat for Humanity
www.lincolnhabitat.org
Continued support of the Lincoln community has allowed us to surpass our 115th home since the affiliate was founded in 1988. People-to-people partnership is at the Heart of Habitat’s work.
The most important part of our mission is:
-To partner with the community and God’s people in need.
-To build hope.
-To provide our families with the tools and training for success.
Our strategy:
-To increase the amount of affordable homes. -To continue collaborative partnerships.
-To provide housing solutions . -To impact neighborhood transformations.
To accomplish this, Habitat needs your help.
Please contribute by visiting us at www.lincolnhabitat.org or call (402)-477-9184.
CEDARS
www.cedarskids.org
Since 1947, CEDARS has been entrusted with the care of children in our community who have been the victims of abuse, neglect or homelessness. CEDARS brings children into a safe and stable environment where we work to either bring the child safely back home or find a new home for the child.
CEDARS is currently seeking partners who are willing to serve with us as foster parents for children in need of a safe and loving home.
To find out how you can “Help Kids in Crisis and Build Strong Families”, visit our website at www.cedarskids.org or call 402-434-KIDS (5437).
WasteCap Nebraska
www.wastecapne.org
WasteCap Nebraska’s mission is to partner with business leaders to implement resource conservation strategies that improve profitability, community goodwill, and employee pride. WasteCap assists businesses through “green team” training, peer-to-peer networking, recycling technical assistance and sustainability planning. Community programs include a speakers’ bureau, fluorescent lamp and electronic scrap take-back programs, and a Guidebook of recycling service providers. Last year, members saved more than $100,000 through waste prevention, recycling and service discounts.
Needs: Seeking leading businesses that would like to increase their contribution to a healthy environment and society and a sustainable economy.
Contact: Rozz Beckman at (402) 436-2383 or rbeckman@wastecapne.org
Bright Lights
www.brightlights.org
Bright Lights is a non-profit organization that takes learning beyond the classroom. Classes and camps held in Lincoln during 3 separate weeks each summer excite and motivate K-9 students to learn, create and meet new people with hands-on activities led by qualified teachers.
Bright Lights is a unique, home-grown summer program began in 1987, providing a quality program that eases the “summer gap” where students can lose up to three months of learning between school years. 50% of classes are in math/sciences, 25% in humanities, and 25% in the arts.
Bright Lights – 25 years and growing! For more information, go to brightlights.org or call (402) 420-1115.
Good Neighbor Community Center
www.LincolnGNCC.org
Good Neighbor Community Center helped individuals in Lincoln with basic and emergencies needs of food, clothing and household items in a kind, understanding environment since 1973. Through culturally-sensitive services, individuals and families are empowered with positive, life-changing skills.
The public is encouraged to support the mission of GNCC by enjoying culinary delights from around the globe at Samples of the World, a fundraiser on Thursday, October 6 at College View Seventh Day Adventist Church (4801 Prescott). The event features dinner and desserts prepared by immigrant and refugee women.
Learn more at www.LincolnGNCC.org or by calling (402) 477-4173.
Matt Talbot
www.mtkserves.org
Matt Talbot is Compassion in Action! Since 1992 Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach has provided daily hunger relief to Lincoln’s working poor and homeless. In 2000 the organization initiated a wide array of outreach and advocacy programs that work to prevent homelessness. Such programs include life skills training, transitional housing, case management, drug & alcohol counseling and a variety of health outreach services. With a small staff team and hundreds of volunteers Matt Talbot provides over 100,000 meals and 19,000 outreach and prevention services annually.
To learn more please visit www.mtkserves. org or call 402-477-4116.
YWCA Lincoln
www.ywcalincoln.org
The YWCA Lincoln uses its 125 years of experience to strengthen the community by empowering women and youth through programs, advocacy and resources. Programs positively impact social and economically disadvantaged children, high risk teens, the leadership and empowerment of adolescent girls, and the self-reliance of women in economic crisis. Whether teaching 4th grader girls math and science or supplying women in need with professional clothing and leadership skills, the YW plays an active role in providing opportunity and guidance to women of all ages.
Needs: Volunteers who enjoy working with children of all ages or helping women shop Job Outfitters.
For more information, please contact Mary Jacobsen at mjacobsen@ywcalincoln.org or (402) 434-3494.
The Groundwater Foundation
www.groundwater.org
The Groundwater Foundation’s mission is to educate people and inspire action to ensure clean, sustainable groundwater for future generations. What is groundwater? It’s the water you drink, the water that grows your food. Everyone benefits from a sustainable supply of clean groundwater. As such, every person plays a role in protecting and conserving groundwater. The Groundwater Foundation provides motivational and inspirational education and community-based action programs that creatively involve individuals, communities, public and private entities in groundwater conservation and protection. Let’s Keep It Clean!
Needs: Communities and individuals to work with the foundation to keep their drinking water safe and sustainable.
Contact: Brian Reetz at 402-434-2740 ext. 111
MilkWorks
www.milkworks.org
MilkWorks is a non-profit community breastfeeding center serving eastern Nebraska. Our mission is to create a healthier community by helping mothers breastfeed their babies. The US Surgeon General has identified infant nutrition as a major factor in the rising rates of acute and chronic illnesses and has called for widespread efforts to support breastfeeding mothers. MilkWorks provides classes, moms’ groups, clinical consultations, a breastfeeding hot line, free weight checks, breast pump rentals and community education, including information on the 2010 federal health care act that protects breastfeeding mothers in the work force. Located in the Trade Center at 58th and Old Cheney.
Needs: Attend our Family Festival on July 16th and celebrate our 10th Anniversary!
Contact: Ann Seacrest, ann@milkworks.org or 402 423-6402