In the business world, we are always working hard towards our goals but also to make our community a better place. We are invested in a thriving community because it allows us to build our businesses as well as our families, friendships, fellowship in the community and to contribute to ensuring that our city is the best place possible to live and work. Non-profit organizations are the glue that holds our community together; they are the source of initiatives that are focused solely on helping to make an impact on the lives of those who live in our community—to make our tiny part of the world a better place for all, and for many, their work reaches out to affect more than just the Lincoln community. These organizations also create jobs in our community and allow people to do what they love while touching lives and truly making a difference. Many people who work in the non-profit world do so because of their true passion for the cause—they really care and we highly commend them for all that they do in and for our community.
We can all contribute to the valuable work that our non-profits are doing every day. Whether you offer your time, talents, or prefer to donate money or items to the cause, there’s always a need that can be met with whatever you have to give. However, with the ever growing number of non-profit organizations it can be hard to decide which to focus your efforts on. It is important to understand that all non-profits are not created equal, so make sure to do your research before making the commitment to support a particular organization. Transparency is highly regarded in the non-profit sector, so even spending just a few minutes doing your due diligence to ensure that a majority of the funds they are generating will be used specifically for the cause they are promoting will do the trick. But above all, it should be something that aligns with your beliefs or that you are passionate about. We are all at different points in our lives, but there truly are a multitude of organizations and so many different ways to get involved in creating positive and lasting change in our community.
Our outstanding local non-profits have woven themselves into the fabric of our community and in this way, make it stronger—doing what needs to be done today, every day to make sure that the future is bright. As businesses/organizations and as individuals, it is our duty to pitch in whenever and however we can to be good community partners. We are so lucky to live in a community with so many local non-profits who work tirelessly to promote awareness and do the important work that makes Lincoln a better place to live, work and play. The wonderful local non-profit organizations we’ve highlighted are all among the ones that we are proud to partner with and support, and we encourage you to learn more about their mission and the important work they do right here in our community.
Voices of Hope provides 24-hour-a-day services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, incest, stalking, and related forms of abuse. We are entering into our 40th year of providing services in this community. Our services include the 24-hour crisis line, (402) 475-7273, 24-hour victim advocacy at hospitals, and daily walk-in services. We also offer support groups, crisis counseling, safety planning, assistance with protection orders, basic needs, and on-campus services at UNL. Last year, we answered over 10,000 crisis line calls and provided face-to-face services to nearly 1,800 victims. Our free and confidential services are available to women and men. We are in need of financial donations, as well as donations of basic needs items such as personal hygiene items, household items, diapers and wipes, and office supplies. For more information about Voices of Hope go to www.voicesofhopelincoln.org.
Named a School of Excellence in the 2014 Catholic Honor Roll, Pius X ranks among the top 5% of all Catholic high schools in the country. With its largest enrollment ever, Pius X serves more than 1,165 students in grades 9-12. Pius X’s mission is to enrich the mind, heart and soul of each student through a Christ-centered, Catholic environment that provides academic excellence and preparation to achieve a meaningful, faith-filled life. Guided by Pope St. Pius X’s motto, “Restore all things in Christ,” Pius instills seven core values – excellence, service, purpose, faith, integrity and charity – into the next generation of leaders. You can support Pius X by visiting www.piusx.net or by calling Michelle Birkel at (402) 488-1046.
The Heartland Cancer Foundation was established to assist low income cancer patients with prescription cancer medications and gas money needed to go to and from cancer-related appointments and treatments. Our goal is to reduce the financial stress that often accompanies cancer treatment so patients can focus on their recovery, bringing energy and optimism to their journey.
The Heartland Cancer Foundation is based in Lincoln, Nebraska and supports cancer patients who live in Southeast Nebraska and Northeastern Kansas. We are not affiliated with any clinics, hospitals, cancer treatment centers or organizations.
All are welcome to call (402) 261-9974 or visit www.heartlandcancerfoundation.org to find out more, and those who need assistance may also apply online or to download an application. There are a variety of ways you can get involved – check out the website for links to upcoming events, to donate, or to find out more about fundraising opportunities available.
The Star City Optimist Youth Foundation (SCOYF) helps coordinate the joint activities of Lincoln’s Optimist Clubs. Incorporated in 1992, it obtained 501(c)3 status in 1995. Its goal is to provide opportunities for success to youth. Annual activities include:
HOMER’S HEROES baseball league for challenged youth
CHILDHOOD CANCER CAMPAIGN to raise funds for local families experiencing childhood cancer
TRI-STAR SPORTS including MLB Pitch, Hit and Run and NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick local and Sectional contests
NEBRASKA ACADEMIC DECATHLON staffing and funding
AWARDS BANQUET honoring local youth volunteers
OPTIMIST YOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX 30 acre baseball/softball venue
For more information about Star City Optimist Youth Foundation please visit www.starcityoptimists.org.
LUX Center for the Arts is the place where creativity and community meet. The LUX is Lincoln’s non-profit visual arts center. Our mission is to enhance the lives of the Lincoln community by providing exceptional learning opportunities in contemporary art, craft and design. The LUX provides art classes for children, youth, and adults and hosts exhibitions of artists’ works from Nebraska and around the country. Through Art Van deLUX, we provide art-making workshops and classes to at-risk-youth, cancer survivors, low-income schools and senior citizens. Contributions from people like you provide scholarships for low-income seniors and children, takes Art Van deLUX to area schools, and buys supplies for our art classes. Making art helps the mind, body and spirit. The LUX is committed to being the arts organization where everyone feels comfortable and welcome. Contact Jo Ann or Christine at (402) 466-8692 or visit us on the web at www.luxcenter.org.
The Nebraska Safety Council offers a comprehensive menu of safety and wellness programs and services. Our mission is to educate and influence safe and healthy behaviors in the workplace, on the road and in our homes and communities. We teach driving safety for all ages through classroom and hands-on learning, assist organizations with workplace safety through training on regulatory issues and best practices and provide education/resources for developing worksite wellness programs. Visit our website — nesafetycouncil.org — for more information on our programs and services.
Safety and Wellness — It’s what we do! Contact: Nebraska Safety Council – (402) 483-2511.
Theatre Arts for Kids is a challenging musical theatre program specially designed for the young and aspiring performer interested in learning about, participating in, and producing musical theatre. Through teamwork and workshops, performers gain lifelong skills as they build self-esteem and develop leadership ability in addition to building their skill base as singers, dancers, and actors. TAFK offers a FREE Musical TheatreTroupe, voice lessons, classes for performers ages 3-6 & 7-18, and fully staged Broadway musicals are our specialty! Visit our website for more information about Theatre Arts for Kids at www.ta4k.com or call (608) 322 4549.
For nearly seven decades, thousands of vulnerable children and youth have found safe refuge and a new beginning at CEDARS. One of Nebraska’s most trusted child-service organizations, CEDARS makes sure that children feel safe and secure. At the same time, we’re giving parents and foster families the support they need to care effectively for children. CEDARS responds to both immediate and longer-term needs in serving abused, neglected and homeless children and families in need of support. CEDARS is currently seeking partners who are willing to serve as foster parents for children in need of a safe and loving home in our community. To find out how you can Help Kids in Crisis and Build Strong Families with CEDARS, visit our website at www.cedarskids.org or call (402) 434-5437.
For 50 years, St. Monica’s has been committed to the recovery of women of all ages through empowerment, stability, and self-fulfillment. We offer substance abuse and mental health treatment for women in a variety of residential and outpatient programs. Services extend to the entire family, including a home for moms and their children. Fees are on a sliding scale; no woman is turned away based on inability to pay. St. Monica’s supporters help women develop healthier lives for themselves and their families; visit our website at www.stmonicas.com for a list of current needs such as personal hygiene products, medical costs, diapers and more.
Contact: (402) 441-3768
The Alzheimer’s Association® is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. For an estimated 33,000 Nebraskans, Alzheimer’s disease is the ultimate thief — of their identity and precious memories. Their caregivers and loved ones are left feeling alone and heartbroken. The Alzheimer’s Association provides education and support to those who face dementia every day. On a national level, the Association advances critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. Find out how you can get involved — visit www.alz.org or call (800) 272-3900.
In May, Clinic with a Heart celebrated our 11th year offering free healthcare to folks in need. Many thanks to the volunteers, donors and supporters who give time, expertise, energy and resources so free healthcare in Lincoln is available. Clinic with a Heart provides healthcare free of charge to people without insurance or who are underinsured. Services include medical, dental, physical therapy, chiropractic, mental health, hearing screenings, vision screenings and spiritual care. Funding for Clinic with a Heart comes from mission team sponsors, corporate sponsors, individual donors, church grants and fundraising events. Since 2003, our volunteers have provided patients more than 24,000 visits. Today nearly 700 people volunteer at the clinic. For more information, please contact Teresa Harms at (402) 421-2924 or teresa@clinicwithaheart.org. THANK YOU for supporting Clinic with a Heart!
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties is a private, non-profit organization that has been serving low-income individuals in southeast Nebraska since 1965. Through over 15 distinct poverty-fighting programs and services, Community Action’s serves over 12,000 low-income individuals in our community each year. Its mission is to empower people struggling in poverty to reach their full potential and achieve self-reliance. For more information, visit www.communityactionatwork.com or call (402) 471-4515.
The Pregnancy Center is a non-profit, faith based organization located in the heart of Lincoln just off O Street. Every month over 400 young women in our community come to the Pregnancy Center for answers. These women desperately need our love and support. Many of them are afraid and feel like they have no options. The Pregnancy Center offers complete information about every option available to a woman facing an unintended pregnancy. The Pregnancy Center also provides confidential counsel, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, materials support, parenting classes and character-based relationship education in schools all at no cost to our clients or taxpayers. Call (402) 483-4247 or visit www.support.pregnancycenterlincoln.org for more information.
Not all children are lucky enough to have lives free of abuse or neglect. Some become involved in the juvenile court system through no fault of their own. Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA for Lancaster County, a local not-for-profit organization, recruits, trains and supports community volunteers who advocate on behalf of abused, neglected, truant, or ungovernable children in Juvenile Court. CASA volunteers do their own investigation and report their findings directly to the judge. CASA volunteers provide a voice for children in court, expedite permanency, and ensure that children have safe permanent homes. To donate, volunteer or for more information, please contact CASA for Lancaster County at (402) 474-5161 or www.casa4lancaster.org
Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, MTKO is a hunger relief and outreach center for those in need. Last year Matt Talbot provided over 107,000 nutritious meals and nearly 21,000 homeless prevention services such as transitional housing, case management, drug & alcohol evaluations, life skills classes, nutrition counseling, and help with obtaining vital identification documents. Approximately 60% of the individuals and families served are the “working poor”, where eating meals at MTKO may prevent homelessness by allowing them to save money to pay for rent, utilities, or gas. Approximately 40% of those served at Matt Talbot are homeless.
Contact: Susanne Blue, CMSW, Executive Director at susanne.blue@mtkserves.org or (402) 477-4116. www.mtkserves.org
By the time they’re ready to graduate, the average student can solve a geometric equation… but can he/she balance a checkbook? She’s read Shakespeare…but does she know how to manage a credit card? He knows all of the planets in the solar system…but does he know the steps involved in starting a business?
For more than 40 years, Junior Achievement of Lincoln has been working to make sure that our students can say “Yes!” Volunteer businesspeople from the community are equipped with cutting-edge curriculum, and then sent into classrooms to provide students with their real-world knowledge and experience. As early as kindergarten, students are learning about saving for a rainy day. By high school, they’re designing business plans. Give five hours of your year to be a JA volunteer! Call JA Staff today at (402) 467-1741 to sign up for a class. Visit www.jalincoln.org for more information.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone people need to get energy from food. T1D strikes both children and adults suddenly and is unrelated to diet or exercise. JDRF is the only global organization with a strategic plan to end T1D. Our plan ensures that there will be an ongoing stream of life-changing therapies that lessen the disease’s impact. We want to keep people with T1D healthy and safe today until we reach our ultimate goal of a cure and universal prevention of T1D, and turn Type One into Type None.
Visit www.lincoln.jdrf.org for more information about JDRF.
Men With Dreams (www.mwdreams.com) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to create an environment of excellence, personal significance, and achievement for our youth. We call our personalized youth development program E5, which stands for Education, Empowerment, Engagement, Excellence and Encouragement.
We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to pursue his or her goals and dreams. Our job is to assist them on that journey and help them build their dreams. Many kids are growing up in cyclical poverty and don’t have the opportunity or support to make their dreams a reality. Look at your own community; everyone can think of good kids who got caught up in the wrong situations. Our program gives those kids the structure and support necessary help them become productive members of society. Our environment and attitude toward our kids is simple: do your best, you are important, and take a step forward today.
Nebraska Community Foundation is a statewide movement using philanthropy as a tool to build stronger, more prosperous communities. NCF is a partner for meeting your charitable goals no matter where you live. It’s the way to give back to your hometown.
In just the last five years more than $120 million has been invested in our schools, hospitals, community centers, libraries, fire and rescue units, parks and recreation, youth programs and our natural environment. Thousands of citizens have enjoyed the arts, earned scholarships and received specialized training to grow local economies in Nebraska communities.
NCF is a charitable giving resource for all Nebraskans, offering donor-advised funds, designated funds, field of interest funds and life income funds which provide many tax benefits. Gifts to your hometown can be made using cash, securities, real estate, insurance, ag commodities, retirement plans, bequests and other assets.
Find out if your hometown is part of the NCF family of affiliated funds. Visit www.NebraskaHometown.org, call (402) 323-7330 or email info@nebcommfound.org.
Every year, SCORE volunteers help thousands of entrepreneurs start small businesses and achieve new levels of success in their existing businesses. Volunteering at SCORE is a way for you to give back to your community, connect with fellow business owners, and pass on your knowledge and expertise to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
SCORE volunteers provide confidential business mentoring services. We lead seminars and workshops to help small business owners meet their goals and achieve success. Whether you own your own small business, working or retired and have a sincere commitment for helping small businesses, there is a place for you as SCORE volunteer.
To get involved in making a difference in the success of a new business and “help make dreams come true”, please contact Lincoln SCORE at (402) 437-2409 or e-mail infolincoln@scorevolunteer.org.
January is National Mentoring Month and Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters thanks the many dedicated volunteers who spend time enriching a child’s life as a mentor. As part of the nation’s largest mentoring network, the agency creates meaningful, monitored mentoring matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”).
Matches meet on evenings and weekends in the community, doing activities they enjoy, helping youth to succeed in school and at home. These friendships lead youth to higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors, and educational success.
To learn more about Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.HBBBS.org or call (402) 464-BBBS.
All involved with Mourning Hope operate with a crystal clear purpose – to bring comfort and support to families in times of grief. Mourning Hope’s programs are designed to serve all children, teens, young adults and their caregivers who have experienced the serious illness or death of a loved one. Bereaved youth are taught healthy coping skills for dealing with the death of a loved one. They are given the freedom to grieve in their own way and at their own pace. Ultimately, they learn that hope and healing are possible, and no one ever has to grieve alone.
Mourning Hope is in need of volunteers and donations. Our services are provided free-of-charge thanks to the community’s generosity.
For more information, contact:
Mourning Hope Grief Center|4919 Baldwin Avenue
(402) 488-8989 | www.mourninghope.org | hope@mourninghope.org
Merrymakers is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for seniors by encouraging active participation, increasing social interaction, and sparking memories through professional entertainment. By offering the benefits of socialization, movement, interaction and stimulating memories through regular performances, Merrymakers programs such as the annual Roast and Songs & Suds make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of seniors in Nebraska and Central Iowa. Merrymakers’ twenty performers are all professional, and tailor their music to their audience, so seniors are offered a strong dose of the music of their youth–a healthy tonic for the boredom and loneliness endemic in senior homes. Your support of Merrymakers is a huge help in getting music to seniors in our community. For more information about Merrymakers, visit www.merrymakers.org or call (402) 697-0205.
Formed in 1978, Friendship Home is Lincoln’s only specialized emergency and transitional shelter program for victims of domestic violence and their children. Friendship Home offers the vital services and safe shelter victims must have in order to leave a violent home. In 2014, Friendship Home served over 1,500 individuals through its various programs and services, which include crisis counseling, advocacy and case management, information and referral services, support groups, a children’s program and basic needs provision. If you or someone you know needs help, please call our 24-hour hotline at (402) 437-9302. A trained advocate is available to talk every hour of every day. For more information about Friendship Home, visit www.friendshiphome.org.
Help drive our mission to save lives.
Host a blood drive and empower your team members to help save lives at area hospitals. Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) – a vital community resource since 1968 – provides a safe and reliable supply of blood products to hospitals throughout southeast Nebraska, including Bryan Health, Lincoln Surgical Hospital, and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. Accidents happen 24/7 and we need your help to ensure that blood from NCBB is always available.
Call us today to learn more about hosting a blood drive. For more information about Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) or on hosting a drive, call (877) 488-9414 or go to NCBB.org.
The Lighthouse After-School Program offers middle and high school-aged youth academic support, evening meals and enrichment/recreational activities during non-school hours, Monday-Friday, twelve months a year. The goal is to “Increase the likelihood of high school graduation of middle and high school-aged youth by providing high quality after-school programming.” Program eligibility requirements are: 1) Youth must be actively attending school or working on a G.E.D., 2) Youth cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and 3) Youth must demonstrate unconditional respect to the people and property of Lighthouse. All programs and services are offered to participants without cost. We are located at 2601 N Street, Lincoln, NE, 68510 and you may reach Lighthouse at (402) 475-3220 or bmichener@lincolnlighthouse.org. You can also visit www.lincolnlighthouse.org.
People’s City Mission was founded in 1907 and serves as Lincoln’s primary homeless shelter. PCM provides emergency housing for nearly 350 homeless men, women, and children every night of the year. Its Homeless Prevention Center offers free food, clothing and household items to over 20,000 people 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. Last year this clinic experienced almost 18,000 patient visits, making it the third largest free clinic in the country. PCM is helping more than 30,000 individuals each year with its various services, or about 1 in 9 Lincoln residents. PCM receives most of its funding from private donations and gets about 90% of their funds directly to the people who need them.
For more information about People’s City Mission, please visit www.peoplescitymission.org.
Focused on enhancing the dignity, independence and well-being of older adults, Tabitha provides supportive companionship, personalized at-home assistance, exceptional rehabilitation, innovative living communities, advanced technology and health care services, and compassionate hospice support as the first and finest Elder Care continuum in the state. Serving 28 southeast Nebraska counties and headquartered in Lincoln, Tabitha is a non-profit, Christian-centered organization that touches more than 5,000 elders each year with the help of more than 1,100 employees and 2,500 active volunteers. With questions about your own aging journey or that of a loved one, call Tabitha at (402) 486-8520 or visit Tabitha.org.
Provider’s Network, Inc. (PNI) is a non-profit that supports in-home daycare businesses. A USDA Child & Adult Care Food Program sponsor operating in 38 counties, PNI offers cash reimbursements to licensed/ license-exempt daycare providers for meals served to children.
PNI has a multilingual staff (Spanish, Arabic, Karen/ Burmese) available to assist with licensing, business training/start-up, CPR/First Aid, and support services.
Our mission is to nurture Nebraska children by helping daycare professionals to provide nutritious meals, safe environments, and quality care in our community.
To learn more about Provider’s Network, Inc. (PNI), call (402) 464-4335, see pnicacfp.com, or visit 5625 O Street, Suite 114.
The Center for People in Need (centerforpeopleinneed.org) opened in 2001, and moved to their current 27th Street location in 2008. The Center for People in Need is a one-stop-shop for low-income services. Between distributions for food and household goods, job training programs, classes for recent immigrants, and health and general assistance outreach services, the Center provides a wide range of needed services that help Lancaster County’s low-income population achieve self-sufficiency. In 2014, through the Center’s largest program Truckloads of Help, they distributed free household goods with a retail value of $2.7 million to over 250 statewide non-profits throughout the state. During the same time period, their Neighborhood F.O.O.D. Program distributed nearly 3.2 million pounds of food to 20,000 low-income families.
For more information about the Center for People in Need, or to get involved, donate or volunteer, please contact Deb Daily, Director of Operations or Beatty Brasch, Executive Director at: Deb Daily:(402) 476-4357 ext. 104 or email ddaily@centerforpeopleinneed.org; Beatty Brasch: (402) 476-4357 ext. 103 or email bbrasch@centerforpeopleinneed.org.
WasteCap Nebraska is a statewide, member-based nonprofit organization building zero waste communities in Nebraska. We help leaders identify zero waste policies, programs and infrastructure appropriate for their community. Business assistance is a key strategy for achieving community zero waste goals. We provide business solutions for controlling waste management costs through vendor selection, service optimization, prevention and diversion.
Our goal is Zero Waste. What’s yours? For more information about WasteCap Nebraska, visit www.wastecapne.org or call (402) 436-2384.
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association is a non-profit working to improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20%, while reducing deaths from CVD and stroke by 20% by 2020. Heart disease is our No. 1 killer. Each day, Americans suffer more than 2,500 heart attacks, killing 1 person every 39 seconds. Stroke is our No. 4 killer and the leading cause of disability. Through awareness and fundraising at events like Go Red For Women, Heart Walk and Heart Ball, we are determined to change those statistics. Find out how you can help the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association at www.heart.org/lincoln.
For 82 years, Goodwill Industries Serving Southeast Nebraska, Inc. has been strengthening the Lincoln community by providing services for individuals who face barriers to employment and by offering residents an outlet for recycling unused house hold items and clothing. The sale of donated items in Goodwill’s retail stores remains the largest source of funding for its programs and services.
Goodwill recognizes that services provided by peer agencies prepare people served by Goodwill to better succeed in Goodwill’s employment programs. It is with this understanding that Goodwill provides funding to colleague agencies to help with their own programs that align with Goodwill’s mission of willing workers employed and community resources maximized.
For more information about Goodwill and its role in the Lincoln community, visit www.lincolngoodwill.org today.
Touching the lives of one in 50 Nebraskans, the impact and influence of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is more than just a statistic. The inherent value goes much deeper. LFS programs ensure children caught in neglectful, abusive or violent situations find safety. They restore hope for those struggling with mental illness, and provide refugees the guidance and acculturation needed on their path to citizenship. They provide hope to young mothers and fathers wanting to develop the confidence to teach, guide and parent their children.
LFS programs emphasize early intervention and prevention. Therapists and caseworkers work with individuals and families towards establishing stability and self-sufficiency, and specialists focus on creating and restoring safe and happy childhoods. The organization is the 2013 recipient of the Better Business Bureau’s Integrity Award. To learn more about Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska visit www.lfsneb.org.
City Impact inspires urban youth & their families to transform through God’s love. By living and working alongside the people we serve, we embody the challenges and embrace the goals and dreams of tomorrow–together.
City Impact encourages youth within the inner city to use their God-given talents to overcome some of life’s toughest struggles-poverty, homelessness, hunger, substance abuse, illiteracy, crime and hopelessness. Our faith-based and strength-based services foster healthy choices, personal responsibility and servant leadership.
By instilling hope and creating opportunities, City Impact meets the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of families living in our under-resourced neighborhoods. We empower people with practical resources, personal confidence and the Gospel from the inside out.
Needs: Monthly mentors, weekly reading tutors during the school year and weekly faith program volunteers.
Contact: Angela Pillow, (402) 477-8080 or apillow@cityimpact.org
Follow what’s happening at City Impact at: facebook.com/cityimpactlincoln