2679 Farnam Street, Suite 205
Omaha, NE 68131
402-345-5187
www.yesomaha.org
|
|
It's the mission of YES to serve youth experiencing homelessness and near-homelessness by providing critically-needed resources which empower them to become self-sufficient.
|
|
Welcome to YES News -
Youth Emergency
Services' Monthly
E-newsletter!
We've always had a lot to say -- and a lot to tell you -- so we decided now is a GREAT TIME to launch YES News!
Each month, we'll fill you in on what's happening at YES along with stories of hope and perseverance, employee and youth features and anything else we think you WANT and NEED to know about YES!
"The Team at Youth Emergency Services is inspiring to me," said Executive Director Mary Frasier Meints. "They are being creative in doing mobile pantry, Zoom groups with the youth, teaching life skills remotely and supporting the youth in shelter and maternity group home.
"The mission of YES continues during this pandemic. We are grateful for the generosity of the community and the incredible support of our mission. We will get through this and be stronger as a result!"
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! Email Mike at [email protected] with your feedback.
We WANT to hear from you! We LOVE hearing from you!
Look for the October 2020 issue of YES News in your mailbox Thursday, Oct. 1! Thank you for helping us spread the word about the great things happening at YES!
|
|
YES Continues to Evolve with COVID-19
Just like everyone else worldwide, COVID-19 has impacted and continues to impact Youth Emergency Services in a variety of ways.
But in true YES fashion, we adapted quickly and continue to adapt as new information becomes available.
In late March, in order to continue to provide services for our youth, we started a Mobile Pantry. Youth can request items from our food pantry as well as clothes and personal care items that are then delivered to them, wherever they are, to keep them safe.
We've also limited open hours at our Street Outreach Center to a few each day. Masks are required at all times, and small numbers of youth are allowed inside at the same time to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
At our Emergency Shelter, Maternity Group Home and Transitional Living apartments, regular, thorough cleaning and limited interaction among residents has helped keep our youth safe during this precarious time.
YES is providing financial assistance with rent and utilities for youth and young adults to allow them to remain in their homes or find their first apartment.
We thank everyone who has continued to support YES with donations of money, meals and pantry items during this time.
|
|
YES Street Outreach Needs Your Help Providing Meals
We need your help filling the meal calendars for our Street Outreach Center for the remainder of 2020!
Our Center, which serves hundreds of homeless and near-homeless youth in the community each week, welcomes donations of catered meals (prepared when delivered) due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Won't you please Sign Up Today to donate meals so our youth don't Go Hungry?
|
|
|
|
Annual Golf Outing Remains a Great Success after Moving to August due to COVID-19
A change in date from May to August and social distancing couldn't stop YES' golf fundraiser from continuing to be a great success in 2020!
More than 130 golfers from throughout the country made the trip to Omaha's Player's Club at Deer Creek golf course August 31 to help youth experiencing homelessness and near-homelessness.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year's outing was held almost exclusively outside -- including team check-in, meal distribution, the purchase of mulligans and raffle tickets and, of course, a gorgeous afternoon of golfing.
"The weather cooperated for a beautiful day of golf, and we are grateful to all the businesses -- especially title sponsor Union Pacific -- for supporting YES and the youth we serve," said YES Director of Development Barb Farho.
"We appreciate everyone's flexibility and support, and we are excited to see everyone back for another successful golf event in 2021!"
|
|
Getting to Know... Lori Lines, YES Housing Supervisor
Lori Lines has been with YES for more than 22 years, and was promoted to Housing Supervisor a year ago.
She oversees our Emergency Shelter as well as our independent living programs: transitional living, maternity group home and rapid rehousing.
Lori said her calling to YES was largely about wanting to help young people. Growing up, she dreamed of being a teacher, and then found criminal justice as a major at the University of Nebraska-Omaha before landing at YES.
"YES was the best of both worlds for me," she said. "Each day, I get to wake up and am excited to go to work, and most of the time it doesn’t feel like work. I get to interact with young people, which keeps me young. I can’t imagine doing anything else."
Click HERE to learn more about YES' continuum of care services for youth experiencing homelessness and near-homelessness.
|
|
Say YES to Supporting YES!
Even though we had to postpone this year's Dance for a Chance: The Roaring Twenty-Twenties until next August, we have some exciting events coming up -- and we would love to count on your participation and support!
November 2020 -- National Homeless Youth Awareness Month and National Runaway Prevention Month
Dec. 1, 2020 -- Giving Tuesday
May 26, 2021 -- Omaha Gives!
August 5, 2021 -- Dance for a Chance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
