Youth Emergency Services assists youth experiencing homelessness and near homelessness by providing
critically-needed resources which support them in
their desire to be self-sufficient.
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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15
YES celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month to highlight and recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.
Take the time to discover documents, exhibits, films, blog posts and more from the National Archives and Presidential Libraries that highlight Hispanic culture.
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Have You Voted Yet? Get Your Tickets Today!
We have 11 AMAZING DANCERS representing the Omaha community who are ready to BOOGIE DOWN October 13th at the Omaha Design Center!
We hope you, your friends, your family and your BUSINESS can join and support US and THEM!
This year's lineup of community leaders and YES supporters (VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES HERE; each vote is $1) include:
Sandy Spady -- Entrepreneur
Chris Tooker -- Certified Financial Planner
Similar to Dancing with the Stars, Dance for a Chance is YES' biggest fundraiser and is recognized as one of the MOST FUN, EXCITING, INTERACTIVE annual events around!
So DUST OFF your PLATFORMS and BELL BOTTOMS and join us for a night of Disco fun!
Can You Dig it?
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Meet Nya
In many ways, Nya isn't your typical youth who needs the services and resources at Youth Emergency Services.
A basketball standout and student at Central Community College in Columbus, Neb., Nya came to YES for a second time this summer to stay in our emergency shelter.
Before starting her freshman year at Central in fall 2021, she also stayed for the summer in the YES shelter -- always with the intention of continuing to pursue her education and, one day, live on her own.
"I really feel like my experience at YES made me a stronger, more confident and more mature person in a lot of ways," said Nya, who will finish her Associates degree from Central next spring and plans to move on to a four-year college to get her bachelor's degree in social work or human services.
Nya's journey to YES began as a youth living in South Sudan. She emigrated to the United States with her dad, and when he was unable to care for her, she entered the foster care system.
She jumped from foster home to foster home until her last foster parents became her adopted family shortly before she started high school.
But some bad decisions as a teenager created a rift between Nya and her parents, and the summer before her freshman year of college, she found herself without a place to call home.
Through the Making A Connection program at Creighton University, she found temporary refuge and newfound independence at YES.
"I stayed at the Emergency Shelter in the summer of 2021 before leaving for college, and when the spring semester was over in 2022, I came back to the shelter because I didn't have anywhere else to go," she said.
And while she hopes to one day repair her relationship with her parents, Nya said her time at YES has helped her find independence.
She loves continuing to learn to be self-sufficient and responsible for herself.
Less than a week before she returned to Central CC in early August, she gained a matching grant from Project Everlast to combine with her own savings to buy her first car.
"I don't know where I'd be without Karla at Making A Connection and everyone at YES, especially everyone at the Shelter," Nya said. "I'm excited for what my future holds, and that was something I didn't consider or think about much a few years ago. I now feel like I truly have a future."
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YES Receives Grants from United Way of the Midlands
United Way of the Midlands granted $36,000 toward YES’s job readiness program and $10,000 to help fund its Street Outreach program.
“We are incredibly grateful to the United Way of the Midlands for recognizing the need for job readiness development for youth experiencing homelessness and near-homelessness in the community,” said YES Director of Development Barb Farho. “We also appreciate the grant for our street outreach program.
“Both of these programs make tremendous impacts to help get youth off the streets and working toward independent futures. We can’t do what we do and provide all of the many services we do for our youth without the support of organizations like the United Way of the Midlands.”
Job Readiness
YES’ Job Readiness Program helps youth aged 16-24 identify long-term career interests, pursue education goals, learn appropriate job applicant behavior, and seek and obtain employment.
A Job Readiness Coordinator, a community advisory council and partnerships with area businesses and schools provides:
- Thorough assessments of current education and employability status;
- Personalized guidance in development of long-term career/education goals;
- Instruction in basic pre-employment skills: interviewing, resumes, networking, communication, search strategies, role-playing, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and professionalism;
- Transportation to and from interviews, job fairs, job trainings and employment;
- Volunteer opportunities to enhance social skills and be exposed to work environments; and
- Support from area businesses. The ACT National Career Readiness Certificate, an industry-recognized credential that identifies skills required for virtually any job, is utilized.
With the help of this grant, YES is able to help youth from any of YES’ programs (Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living program, Maternity Home, or accessing services at the Street Outreach Center) and complements YES’ current continuum of care by filling the gaps in each participant’s education and work experience.
Youth must be aged 16-24, able to commit to 6 weeks of structured training sessions and hands-on work experience, and have a desire to work and make progress toward their educational and career goals.
YES Street Outreach
Street Outreach is the gateway to most YES programs. Youth come to street outreach if they are homeless or facing homelessness. The Street Outreach Program:
- Assists homeless and near-homeless youth in crisis.
- Provides care coordination with case management services addressing basic needs such as enrolling in benefits, obtaining a state identification card or license, securing stable housing, enrolling in other YES programs, and any other assistance they might need.
- Staff work with youth on life skills and independence, assisting them in their desire to become self-sufficient.
- Addresses food security by providing youth with pantry services and a daily meal.
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Great Weather Equals Great Time at YES Golf Outing
A rainy morning evolved into a day of sunshine and great golfing fun August 29 during the annual YES Golf Outing presented by Union Pacific.
Thank You to our participants and supporters for making this another FANTASTIC fundraiser to help youth experiencing homelessness and near-homelessness!
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We have some exciting EVENTS coming up. We would LOVE your support!
November 29 -- Giving Tuesday
For more information, please contact Barb.
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Check Out Our News!
We love telling you about the great things we do every day to change the lives of homeless and near-homeless youth -- and here's proof!
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Like What We're Saying?
Please Share This With Your Friends!
Please share this newsletter with friends and family, and if you aren't seeing something you want to know about YES -- please let us know.
Look for the October 2022 issue of YES News in your mailbox Monday, October 3!
Thank you for helping us spread the word about the great things being done at YES!
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Youth Emergency Services (YES)
2566 Farnam Street, Suite 301
Omaha, NE 68131
402-345-5187
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