Supporting Nonprofits in Lincoln, NE – July 2019
Nonprofit corporations play a vital role in maintaining the Good Life in Nebraska. Charitable organizations and their board members, along with countless volunteers and donors, provide essential services all across our state. As businesspeople, we are invested in those efforts because it allows us to build our businesses as well as raise our families, cultivate friendships, and lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Here in Lincoln, you’ll find many people working together to care for one another, to give a hand up to those in need for the greater good, to protect our environment, and to make our city the best place to live and work it can possibly be. In a community that understands the importance of giving back and places a lot of value in it, you’ll also find it to be a big part of corporate culture here in small and large businesses alike. Supporting our local nonprofit organizations is something that we can all do to give back.
An excellent example of the power of philanthropy at the local level just happened a couple months ago. For the seventh year, the Lincoln community came together for Give to Lincoln Day on May 30 and showed their support in a big way. With 21,398 donations to hundreds of different nonprofit organizations, the total raised came in at about $5.6 million.
Monetary donations aren’t the only way you can give back, though. There are a variety of ways to donate to the valuable work that our nonprofits are doing day in and day out, all year long. This may be a donation of items or hosting a donation drive, volunteering, sponsorships, participating in special events, helping to raise awareness, and so on.
Our local nonprofits 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. Oftentimes their reach extends beyond that to make an impact at the state, national, and/or global level. These organizations also create jobs in our community, allowing many people to fulfill their greater purpose by doing what they love while touching lives and truly making a difference.
At Strictly Business, the focus of our work has always been supporting the growth and prosperity of our local business community. That being said, we feel strongly about supporting our local nonprofit organizations too. That is why we’ve put this feature together, highlight some of the amazing local organizations. We encourage our readers to flag the names, logos, and missions of the nonprofits in this feature, and to keep them in mind when considering ways to give to back.
We have compiled a list of excellent non-profits, all of which need and welcome your support, and encourage you to get involved with these organizations!
The Pregnancy Center (www.support.pregnancycenterlincoln.org) is a nonprofit, 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 the Pregnancy Center at (402) 483-4247 or visit www.support.pregnancycenterlincoln.org for more information.
Junior Achievement of Lincoln (jalincoln.org) is building a successful future for our community, one classroom at a time! This school year, more than 31,000 students in over 100 schools all across Lincoln and Greater Nebraska will be impacted by our messages of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business ethics delivered by a community role model. Together, let’s inspire this generation to be better prepared for success than any generation in history. Let’s prepare them to take on their destiny with passion and confidence. Let’s equip them to run businesses, lead nations, make discoveries, and change our world. But most of all, let’s give them hope to see what’s possible.
For more information on how to invest in Junior Achievement of Lincoln or to learn more about becoming a classroom volunteer (it only takes five hours a year!), contact Rachel Murray at rmurray@jalincoln.org or (402) 467-1010, Ext. 109.
Heartland Cancer Foundation (HeartlandCancerFoundation.org) is a nonprofit organization created with one belief: People with cancer should not fall behind because they struggle to afford their expenses. Our purpose is to encourage cancer patients, help them overcome financial burdens, and give them compassion so they can thrive.
Many people who come to us can’t get to their cancer treatment appointments because they have no way to buy gas. Many people can’t buy the medications and supplies they need to ease side effects. Some lose their cars, some lose their jobs. And some lose their homes.
This is what motivates us to make an impact. Heartland Cancer Foundation provides compassionate assistance so patients can heal with confidence, and get back to living a bright future. Support us in 2019 with a corporate sponsorship or through committed monthly giving. More information is available at HeartlandCancerFoundation.org, or contact Heidi Moyer at heidimoyerhcf@gmail.com or (402) 261-9974.
The People’s City Mission (pcmlincoln.org) is Lincoln’s only homeless shelter. Started in 1907, the Mission has helped over a million people over the last 100 plus years. The Mission is much more than an emergency shelter. They feed men, women and children three times a day, help individuals and families find permanent housing, and they work with their guests to reintegrate back into the workforce. The all new Help Center gives away free donated housewares, food and clothing. Daily the 2.51 shuttle delivers over 100 sack lunches to homeless on the streets. The Mission is growing in its needs, and relies on the public to for nearly all of the funds that come in. Like Pastor Tom always says “If we all give a little, we can change a lot!” For more information, please visit People’s City Mission online at pcmlincoln.org or call (402) 475-1303.
Poverty limits opportunity. We don’t. Since 1965, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties (communityactionatworkorg.presencehost.net) has been removing barriers for individuals living in poverty so that they have the opportunity to thrive.
Our four impact areas are Early Childhood Education, Homelessness Prevention, Financial/Family Well-being, and Hunger Relief and Healthy Food Access. Just some programs and services offered include Early Head Start and Head Start, which provide comprehensive, dual-generation early childhood education services to 421 babies, toddlers, preschoolers, pregnant women, and their families; rent, utility, and security deposit assistance; Weatherization, focused on increasing the energy of homes; matched savings opportunities to youth and adults; financial education and coaching; free tax preparation; and free, nutritious evening meals at our soup kitchen, The Gathering Place. Last year, Community Action provided over 114,000 poverty-fighting services to 19,642 children and adults. Our mission is to empower people living in poverty to reach economic stability. To connect, call (402) 471-4515.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that strikes both children and adults. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. And, at present, there is no cure.
In T1D, your pancreas stops producing insulin—a hormone the body needs to get energy from food. This means a process your body does naturally and automatically becomes something that requires your daily attention and manual intervention. You must constantly monitor your blood-sugar level, inject or infuse insulin through a pump, and carefully balance these insulin doses with your eating and activity 24/7.
JDRF (jdrf.org) works every day to change the reality of this disease for millions of people by funding research, advocating for government support of research and new therapies, ensuring new therapies come to market and supporting those impacted by T1D.
There are many ways to join the JDRF family, but for 47 years there has been only one reason—because together, we will turn Type One into Type None. If you would like to get involved or know of anyone who might benefit from our outreach or support services, please contact the Lincoln and Greater Nebraska Chapter at (402) 484-8300 or Lincoln@jdrf.org.
The Nebraska Chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship (cefnebraska.org)
is part of the world’s largest and oldest children’s youth ministry. Established in 1937, the global ministry has reached over 250 million children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are unique that we focus specifically on elementary children ages 5-12. Our Good News Clubs (GNC) are after school clubs during the school year. During the summer our 5 Day Clubs go where the children are in the neighborhoods, homes and parks. We bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the children for an opportunity in which to make a life changing decision for Christ in a safe and loving environment. If you would like to know more please contact Matt Anderson at matta@cefnebraska.org or call (402) 484-7877. CEF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization ministry.
CEDARS (cedarskids.org) has been a vital part of the community for over 70 years. What started as a grassroots effort to help kids in crisis has grown into a dynamic and dedicated team of over 200 professionals and a network of loving foster parents serving over 2,400 kids and families each year.
Thanks to community support, CEDARS is there for children and youth who are unable to live at home, for families in need of resources, support and education, and for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
CEDARS is accredited through the Council on Accreditation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is a United Way partner, a four star charity with Charity Navigator, a top-rated charity with the American Institute of Philanthropy, and a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.
Today, CEDARS will serve nearly 800 children and youth.
To learn more, call (402) 434-KIDS (5437) or visit www.cedarskids.org.
City Impact (cityimpact.org) empowers under-resourced communities through wholistic youth, family, and neighborhood development. We mentor, teach, and empower under-resourced youth, cultivating leaders who affect lasting change.
Through core values of grit, empowerment, initiative, excellence, community, and radical candor, City Impact encourages transformation from the inside out.
Needs: Monthly mentors, weekly reading tutors during the school year, weekly faith program volunteers, sponsors or donations for kids’ store, and monthly program supporters.
Contact: Lisa Guill, (402) 477-8080 / lguill@cityimpact.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit www.cityimpact.org for more information.
The Branched Oak Observatory (branchedoakobservatory.com) is a unique astronomical park located conveniently just 20 minutes from downtown Lincoln near Branched Oak Lake Recreation Area. Established in 2015, we offer a unique viewing experience and learning opportunity for young and old alike. We have a 30 student classroom, visitors center and two buildings dedicated for viewing the night sky. Whether viewing our closest star the sun, or the moon or deep space star clusters and nebula. Our staff of volunteers, amateur and professional astronomers alike help to “Bring the Night Sky Down to Earth.” We hold monthly events called “Star Parties” that are FREE and fun for the whole family.
Please follow us on Facebook under Branched Oak Observatory. If you would like more information please email me, Matt Anderson at matthew@branchedoakobservatory.com or call me at (402) 480-5515. Branched Oak Observatory is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Our mission is simple: For more than 60 years we have provided education and leadership to empower people to live safe and healthy. The Nebraska Safety Council’s comprehensive programs, training courses, events, and services are designed to improve employee care at a desk, on the production floor, behind the wheel, and off the job (nesafetycouncil.org). Our unique Worker 360° approach provides integrated risk management to improve overall worker quality of life and positively impact an organization’s bottom line.
Our members include organizations throughout Nebraska and surrounding areas, across a variety of industries. There is no one-size-fits-all option; each company’s safety and wellbeing program is customized for their needs and size.
Demonstrate your commitment to employee safety and health by becoming a member of the Nebraska Safety Council. You will receive access to training, guidance, and resources to establish or enhance your safety and wellness programs and policies.
The Nebraska Safety Council provides leadership and resources for a safe and healthy workplace and community. To reach their team, call (402) 483-2511 or visit nesafetycouncil.org to learn more.
We’re so much more than just coats and winter apparel. We’re a promise to Nebraskans in need—a promise for a truly warmer day. The brutal Nebraska winters take massive tolls on the thousands of people right here in our own state. The cold is unbiased to the mothers who cannot afford a coat or the homeless who go without. At A Warmer Day (www.awarmerday.org), we strive to solve this very issue but we cannot do it alone. We need your help to make sure that no one is left out in such merciless weather conditions. We ask that you please become a soldier in our mission to combat the callous cold by making a monthly donation of $10. Your donation will help provide 15–20 coats to those in need in your first year. Our members can rest easy in knowing that every dollar given makes a profound, local difference in their community.
As an organization ran only by volunteers, A Warmer Day depends on support from the community. For information about how to get involved, or to find a coat drop-off location, visit www.awarmerday.org or contact (402) 480-7463 / info@awarmerday.org.
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center (springcreek.audubon.org) is one of the largest remaining remnants of tallgrass prairie in Nebraska. The 850-acre tallgrass prairie sanctuary offers over three miles of walking trails, native prairie grasslands, wetlands and ponds, wildflowers, and beautiful scenic vistas. Here, you can experience the historic 19th-century wagon ruts from a cutoff to the Oregon Trail with the opportunity of viewing any one of over 220 bird species, 370 plant species, and other wildlife.
The mission of Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is to foster the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of Nebraska’s tallgrass prairie ecosystems by engaging people in the site’s natural and cultural resources. Through educating the public about the value of tallgrass prairie while introducing thousands to its beauty and diversity, we are helping preserve this singular, very threatened portion of the plains.
For more information about Audubon’s Spring Creek Prairie, call (402) 797-2301 or email scp@audubon.org.
Help save lives. Donate blood.
“I’ve never been asked.” That’s the number one reason why people don’t donate blood. Today, the Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB.org) is asking you to donate blood to help save lives. Every 2 seconds someone needs blood. The rarest blood type is the one that’s not available when a patient is in need. That need is constant. Nebraska Community Blood Bank has been connecting people who need life-saving blood with generous volunteer donors for 50 years. We provide life-saving blood to healthcare facilities throughout southeast Nebraska. Be part of our life-saving mission by becoming a blood donor with Nebraska Community Blood Bank today.
Visit NCBB.org or call (402) 486-9414 to learn more about hosting a blood drive or to sign up to donate blood at a donor center or blood drive near you. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter (@NCBBLincoln).
Working Together to Save Lives
The American Cancer Society (cancer.org) is a united force against all cancers. We fight for every life threatened by every cancer in every community. We’re on a mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world against cancer.
From research to education, prevention to diagnosis, and treatment to recovery, we provide support to everyone impacted by cancer. But we can’t do it alone. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization and critical to our success at every level. We offer a variety of ways to invest your time and talents. From donating your passenger seat to take people to and from their appointments, to event coordination, and to a variety of office tasks and assignments, we have a role for you.
We are a volunteer-driven organization. The more people who join in our mission, the more lives we can save. If you’re interested in volunteering with us or learning more about our volunteer opportunities, visit cancer.org/volunteer or call (800) 227-2345.
Center for People in Need (CFPIN; cfpin.org) is dedicated to its mission of providing services to low-income people that address their basic needs and helps them achieve economic independence. CFPIN is a community-based nonprofit organization providing services for low-income individuals and families in Lincoln and the surrounding area.
CFPIN addresses basic needs, including food, emergency services, language skills, educational opportunities, and employment skills. We also advocate or policies that help people overcome obstacles to gain economic independence.
Center for People in Need provides an open and welcoming environment to anyone in need of resources and support in our community. For more information call (402) 476-4357 or visit cfpin.org
Incorporated in 2002, the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM; www.nonprofitam.org) started with the goal of helping nonprofits help their communities. CEO Anne Hindery has led the organization since 2008. “We serve and strengthen more than 600 nonprofits of all sizes and missions in Nebraska and western Iowa. By connecting organizations with information, education, advocacy and collaboration, we help our members representing health and human services, the arts, education and other areas make an impact in the communities they serve,” Hindery said.
NAM’s signature Guidelines and Principles Program provides legal compliance and best practices information in 12 major areas of nonprofit management: communication, evaluation, financial management, fundraising, governance, human resources, information technology, planning, public policy and advocacy, strategic alliances, transparency and accountability, and volunteer management.
The National Council of Nonprofits, the nation’s largest network of nonprofits, recognizes NAM as the state association for Nebraska. Learn more about NAM at www.nonprofitam.org or call (402) 557-5800.
Fresh Start (FreshStartHome.org) has given a “fresh start” to 1,600 women who were striving to live a better life. In 2018, Fresh Start served 77 women, 23,118 meals and 7,706 nights of lodging. With Fresh Start, women 19 years and older who are homeless for any reason have the opportunity to live in a safe, supportive environment for up to a year, affording them more time to focus on their long-term goals, address barriers, and enact change. Fresh Start offers a safe, structured, alcohol and drug-free environment for women invested in attaining economic stability. Fresh Start provides basic needs, case management, 24-hour support, computer access, and transportation.
Donation Needs: Paper Goods, Cleaning Supplies, and Gas Cards
Volunteer Needs: Daisy Thrift Shop Clerks
Get involved with Fresh Start by visiting their website at FreshStartHome.org or connecting on social media (Facebook: @FreshStartHomeLincoln; Twitter: @FreshStartLNK). To donate or volunteer, Contact Audrey at (402) 475-7777 / audreyb@FreshStartHome.org.
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 (www.casa4lancaster.org), 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 gather information while getting to know the children and report their findings directly to the judge. They 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.
The American Heart Association (www.heart.org/lincoln) is devoted to saving people from two of our nation’s top killers, heart disease (No. 1) and stroke (No. 5). Powered by millions of volunteers nationwide, the Association’s goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20% by 2020, while reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20%. Currently, one person dies every 40 seconds from heart disease and stroke. Through events right here in Lincoln like the Heart Walk, Go Red for Women, and Heart Ball, that startling statistic can change.
For more information, visit www.heart.org/lincoln.
Angels Among Us (www.myangelsamongus.org) provides financial assistance to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. Any family living in or being treated in Nebraska is eligible to apply. Once approved, families are provided with $500 a month for 18 months to help them stay financially stable during treatment. Funds are paid directly to the creditor, which ensures that funds are used for their intended purpose.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, a family’s life as they know it comes to an abrupt halt. Unfortunately, their monthly expenses do not. Since 2006, Angels Among Us has assisted nearly 420 families with $1.7 million in support.
Will you join us as we fight to keep families stable? Gifts of any amount are welcome and encouraged. There is strength in numbers. There is also hope, help, and monetary relief.
For more information, contact Angels Among Us at (402) 934-0999 or visit our website at www.myangelsamongus.org.
CHAD (Combined Health Agencies Drive; www.chadnebraska.org) is a local, donor-designation driven organization that has been raising funds for Nebraska’s premier health charities since 1972. Through workplace partnerships, we promote charitable giving, employee engagement and wellness and connect people with health causes they care about.
Formerly Community Health Charities of Nebraska, we are proud to partner with United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County during the annual United Way/CHAD campaign.
Donors who give so generously every year ensure our 21 member charities are funded on a consistent basis, and 100% of donor-designated dollars go directly to full-member charities. Valuable donations help Nebraskans in need by providing care and support for those affected by a health diagnosis; funding education and prevention programs in our communities; and supporting advocacy and medical research.
Lincoln Office: 215 Centennial Mall South, STE 509.
Connect: (402) 614-8500 | www.chadnebraska.org | on social media as @CHADNebraska.
For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau (BBB; www.bbb.org) has been helping people find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. People today are overwhelmed with choices – and often unsure about where to find verified, unbiased information. There are more than 32 million businesses in North America alone, and hundreds of thousands of sites around the world where people shop online. Thousands of free and subscription websites offer a range of information, including reviews, reports, directories, listings, and gripe sites. Where can you go to find trusted information?
In 2018, people turned to BBB more than 173 million times for BBB Business Profiles on nearly 5.4 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free on BBB.org. Nearly 400,000 BBB Accredited Businesses support BBB’s mission of advancing marketplace trust, and their dues and contributions allow BBB to offer its information and services to consumers at no charge.
BBB offers its services by creating a community of trustworthy businesses through accreditation, setting standards for trust, encouraging and supporting ethical business practices, celebrating community role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior. Learn more by going to www.bbb.org or calling (402) 391-7612.
Down Syndrome Association for Families of Nebraska (DSAF; dsafnebraska.org) recognizes that every person with Down syndrome is an individual who has a unique purpose and set of abilities. Since 1995, DSAF has provided a positive vision for the future for individuals with Down syndrome and those who share in their lives, through networking, advocacy and support, including:
Parents First Call – offers support and empathy to new parents upon receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome.
Medical Outreach – provides accurate information regarding Down syndrome to local medical offices.
Age-Based Stars Groups – enable members to participate in fun, inclusive activities with family and friends.
Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk – provides a heartwarming all-ages experience for families, friends, and supporters of individuals with Down syndrome. The annual walk is DSAF’s biggest awareness and fundraising event!
DSAF is more than just an association. It is a place of belonging and hope. Get involved. Go to dsafnebraska.org or call (402) 421-1338 to learn more.
Youth for Christ Lincoln Area (yfclincoln.org) is a non-denominational, nonprofit organization serving youth in the Lincoln community and surrounding areas. We engage youth through three ministries: Campus Life to teens in high schools and middle schools, Juvenile Justice to jailed teens, and Parent Life to pregnant teens. Through regular programming and special events, YFC Lincoln Area works with over 2,400 local youth with the goal of engaging them in a healthy relationship with God.
To learn more about our ministries, college internships, or to volunteer, visit yfclincoln.org or call us at (402) 420-7475.
For over 40 years, Friendship Home (www.friendshiphome.org) has provided safe shelter and comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and their children. We help save and change lives for over 1,500 victims each year by providing individualized crisis services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Last year 63% of those we served in shelter were children. Friendship Home offers shelter in a communal shelter setting, apartments for families, and transitional living for families who need more time to rebuild their lives. Our advocates work closely with families and empower them to become survivors through safety planning, referrals to resources, support groups, and mental health counseling.
At Friendship Home, there is always a need for gift cards for gas and groceries, financial donations, and volunteer support to help with special events. For more information, visit www.friendshiphome.org or call (402) 434-0168.
If you or someone you know needs help, call our confidential Helpline at (402) 437-9302.
Nebraska Community Foundation (NebraskaHometown.org) is celebrating 25 years of building stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska. Through a growing grassroots network of volunteers who hail from every corner or the state, we unleash abundant local assets, inspire charitable giving, and connect ambitious people who believe in the future of their hometown.
Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska Community Foundation provides financial management, strategic development, donor education and training in partnership with 1,500 volunteers serving 257 communities. In the last five years, 41,776 contributions were made.
Since 1994, Nebraska Community Foundation has reinvested $323 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org or call (402) 323-7330.
Since the early 1970s, Lincoln Medical Education Partnership (LMEP; www.lmep.com) has been a leader in healthcare education, patient care, and research through several programs. These include the training of Family Medicine resident physicians and delivery of quality patient care through Lincoln Family Medicine Center and the Lincoln Family Residency Program, exposure to integrative medicine through Lincoln Medical Acupuncture, local access to cutting-edge cancer research through the Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC), providing substance abuse evaluations and counseling for adults and adolescents in the Stepping Stones program, and training schools to identify and help children with behavioral and substance abuse issues through the School Community Intervention and Prevention (SCIP) program.
To learn more about Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, go online to www.lmep.com or call (402) 483-4581.
With a dedicated and united front of staff and volunteers who help the homeless and near homeless find possibilities when things seem impossible, the vision of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach (www.mtko.org) is to defeat hunger & homelessness and restore hope! Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, Matt Talbot is an inviting hunger relief and outreach center for those in need. Annually, Matt Talbot provides more than 110,000 nutritious meals to the hungry in Lincoln and nearly 40,000 outreach and homeless prevention services to the working poor and homeless such as housing, case management, drug and alcohol evaluations, life skills classes, diversion, nutrition counseling, and help with obtaining vital identification documents. Most importantly, Matt Talbot provides beyond basic needs to embolden people to have hope. Matt Talbot has maintained a 4-star Charity Navigator ranking for five consecutive years, received the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award for the nonprofit sector in 2013 and was recently recognized for transparency with a Gold Seal on their GuideStarNonprofit Profile.
Contact Susanne Blue, CMSW, executive director of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, at (402) 477-4116 / susanne.blue@mtko.org, or learn more online at www.mtko.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln (lincolnhabitat.org) has helped families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership since 1988. Its priority is to work with future homebuyers who would otherwise not be able to achieve homeownership through a traditional mortgage loan. By increasing the number of homeowners throughout Lincoln and Lancaster County, Habitat Lincoln is building neighborhoods and strengthening the community. Habitat Lincoln has partnered with more than 170 local families through the construction of new single-family homes, as well as simple and critical repair projects.
Habitat Lincoln serves families whose income is up to 50% of median for the Lincoln area, with the average AMI being less than 40% over the past ten years. It partners with first-time homebuyers. Many Habitat families are immigrants or refugees, and all are living in substandard housing—whether it be dilapidated, overcrowded, or cost-burdened. Learn more at lincolnhabitat.org or call (402) 477-9184.
Aiding Angels (www.aidingangels.com) is a local, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing FREE, professional housecleaning to the cancer heroes in our community during one of the most stressful times of their lives. A clean home and environment contributes to the welfare and recovery of patients.
Brenda Schwery, local business owner of Maid To Please, has provided free home cleaning services for years through another foundation where, unfortunately, women with cancer are the only recipients. In response to an overwhelming number of requests from not only women, but also men and children, Brenda founded Aiding Angels. Now, the void is filled and the much-needed help is extended to everyone going through cancer treatment or hospice due to cancer.
For more information on Aiding Angels, please visit www.aidingangels.com or contact Brenda at (402) 434-2472.
Serving our community by promoting the dignity, independence, and well-being of older adults, Tabitha (Tabitha.org) provides support for clients and their families across 28 Nebraska counties through results-driven rehabilitation, at-home health care, Tabitha Meals on Wheels, innovative living communities and compassionate hospice care. Tabitha is a local, nonprofit provider and an industry leader, believing everyone deserves extraordinary care. This commitment is illustrated with our world-class, award-winning continuum of services delivered to over 2,000 individuals daily. When you have questions about Senior Care, Tabitha is the Answer.
Tabitha is always looking for civic-minded individuals to donate their time, talent, and treasure to help us provide care for our friends and neighbors. You can make a difference in the lives of local veterans, teachers, public servants and community leaders who need a helping hand. Learn more at Tabitha.org or call (402) 486-8520.
For 86 years, Goodwill Industries Serving Southeast Nebraska, Inc. (www.lincolngoodwill.org) 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.
HopeSpoke (www.hopespoke.org) inspires healthy futures for children and families through comprehensive behavioral and mental health services. The struggle IS real. Mental health issues and trauma are hard for anyone to overcome, especially if you’re a kid. When things feel hopeless, HopeSpoke helps families find confidence.
HopeSpoke plays an invaluable role in providing children and families with the skills to feel empowered and be successful; helping them heal, be courageous, and find strength to live well.
With a long history and positive presence, HopeSpoke continues to reach out with expert care to make our community a better place—full of happy, hopeful, healthy families.
Last year we served 1,841 children, youth, and adults through a variety of programs and services. For more information about HopeSpoke’s programs or to make a donation, please go to www.hopespoke.org or call (402) 475-7666.
“It’s about what’s good for kids,” says TeamMates of Lincoln (LincolnTeamMates.org) Director, Jim Bennett. TeamMates’ work centers around youth, and as our mission says, “We aim to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential through mentoring.”
TeamMates of Lincoln, the flagship chapter of the regional mentoring program co-founded by Tom and Nancy Osborne in 1991, supports approximately 1200 mentors matched with students from grades 3 – 12. Mentors meet one-to-one with mentees once a week at their students’ school. Matches often play games, shoot hoops, read or journal together, or complete community service or craft projects. The most important aspect of the meeting is building a meaningful relationship.
“Mentors are not parents or peers, but caring adult friends who don’t have to be perfect or know all the answers,“ says mentor support specialist, Stacey Blizek. “TeamMates are cheerleaders, sounding boards, and developers.”
The need for TeamMates mentors is great, with nearly 800 students on Lincoln’s waiting list. If you would like to experience the power of mentoring, please call our office at (402) 436-1990 or visit us online at LincolnTeamMates.org.
Wear Yellow Nebraska (Wearyellownebraska.org) provides service, support, and community for Nebraska’s cancer survivors.
Our purpose from the very beginning was to bring people passionate about cycling together to celebrate life and fight cancer. Well, we’ve grown that purpose and since launching our free transportation program in late 2012. We have spent more than $130,000 dollars in providing more than 8,000 cab rides to cancer patients in need.
The Wear Yellow Cab Ride program, Powered by Lyft is our primary initiative and funded by our signature event, the Wear Yellow Ride, Run & Walk. Transportation to and from treatment is essential because patients are often unable to drive themselves, which also leaves them vulnerable to medical lapses. Even if patients do have family and friends who can help, they aren’t always available and sometimes they just don’t want to ask for one more thing.
Omaha – Fremont – Lincoln – Help us grow!
Do you question your “why” regarding life, business, and work? Do you want to develop more authentic relationships? Would you like others’ help in your struggles with major challenges? If you answered yes to any of these questions, CBMC Lincoln (lincoln.cbmc.com) is for you. CBMC is a ministry to business and professional individuals, encouraging them toward spiritual development, personal integrity, principled leadership, and a desire to impact others.
We’ll encourage you in connecting closely with Christ and with others who are growing and discovering how to represent Christ in life and work. CBMC offers one-on-one mentoring, challenging growth groups, leadership development, networking, and larger events throughout the year. We serve business owners and leaders through Peer Advisory Groups, geared to equip members to lead lives and businesses which honor Christ and serve the community.
To learn how CBMC Lincoln can serve you, please contact us at (402) 204-1997 or visit lincoln.cbmc.com.
For over 20 years, Domesti-PUPS (www.domesti-pups.org) has been supporting people in our local, regional and national communities through the assistance of animals. From therapy dogs in the classroom motivating children to excel in their learning environment to pet therapy visitations in nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living centers, Domesti-PUPS pet therapy teams bring a bit of brightness through their furry encounters. Our service dog teams provide increased independence when paired with a disabled partner. These highly-skilled canines can turn on lights, provide balance and mobility, retrieve dropped items, bring a bottle of water from a refrigerator, respond to medical emergencies such as responding to a seizure or alerting to a diabetic high or low, and open doors both literally and figuratively. Some even provide life-saving measures for their disabled partners.
The Set Me Free Project (www.setmefreeproject.net) is a nonprofit organization whose focus is to combat sex trafficking. Our mission is to bring prevention education to youth and families to stop trafficking before it starts.
Our curricula packages are informative, interactive, and flexible – reaching students from 3rd–12th grades, educators, parents, industry-specific professionals, and community members.
The Set Me Free Project is unique, because we not only bring awareness, we bring education. Our educators empower each audience member to protect themselves and others from traffickers. We show students how and why they are at risk, and we teach them ways to protect themselves. We teach the adults involved in the lives of youth to better guide and protect them. Every presentation we give is based on the foundation of each individual’s intrinsic value and worth.
Together, with our collaborators and supporters, we stop human trafficking before it starts. Learn more at www.setmefreeproject.net or call (402) 521-3080.
Since 1983 Make-A-Wish® Nebraska (Nebraska.wish.org) has helped grant over 2,600 wishes for children across Nebraska.
A wish experience can be a game-changer for a child with a critical illness. This one belief guides us in everything we do at Make-A-Wish®. It is the founding principle of our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.
Wishes are more than just a gift, or singular event in time. Wishes impact everyone involved – wish kids, volunteers, donors, sponsors, medical professionals and communities. The impact varies. For wish kids, just the act of making their wish come true can give them the courage to comply with their medical treatments. Parents might finally feel like they can be optimistic. And others might realize all they have to offer the world through volunteer work or philanthropy.
To learn more about Make-A-Wish Nebraska and how you can get involved, please visit Nebraska.wish.org or call (402) 475-9474.
You probably know that when a worker is injured on the job, workers’ compensation pays the medical expenses and lost wages. What you may not know is that workers’ compensation does not take into account the costs of post-secondary education for children of the injured worker. Often families who have suffered such a tragedy are forced to care for the injured individual and do not have the funding to send their children to college.
Kids’ Chance of Nebraska’s (KCNE; kidschanceofne.org) mission is to provide scholarships to children whose parents have suffered a workplace injury or death. We want to raise awareness of our mission. KCNE wants to do what we say: Give the kids a chance.
Eligible students and families are encouraged to go to kidschanceofne.org for information, no matter the age of the children.
Kids’ Chance of Nebraska is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. If you are interested in making a donation, go to www.kidschanceofne.org/make-a-donation.
The Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation (www.joshuamemorial.org) was founded by Blake and Kathy Collingsworth after their personal tragedy of losing their son, Josh, due to accidental drowning. Out of this tragedy has come a worldwide foundation whose sole mission is to educate children and adults about water safety and drowning prevention. The local nonprofit foundation is recognized nationally and internationally for the Josh the Otter Water Safety Awareness Program and Float 4 Life.
“Josh the Baby Otter” was designed to help children comprehend and remember to stay away from water unless accompanied by an adult. Thousands of copies have been distributed globally. With ongoing support, we will continue to incorporate the Josh the Otter Program in every educational curriculum in the United States and beyond.
Float 4 Life was designed to teach and promote infant and toddler water safety training across the nation. Our Float 4 Life program which incorporates water training and water safety education also serves as the National Training Facility to instructors from all over the United States.
To view more information, please go to www.joshuamemorial.org.