Stories

Story shared by Adrielle Griffin, Completely KIDS Chief Marketing and Development Officer
 
When the COVID-19 pandemic washed over the Omaha metro area in mid-March, much was unknown. Many, including those at Completely KIDS, thought they might be shut down for a week or so and then life would return to some sense of normalcy. The Completely KIDS staff realized quickly that would not be the case and jumped into action.
 

The Hope Center for Kids founders Pastor Ty and Terri Schenzel saw the need for hope in the lives of children who could not see beyond their circumstances. Today, their vision is carried on by dedicated staff and volunteers who provide a safe after-school and summer program where youth can take part in faith-building, academic support, youth development, employment training and receive a hot meal.

Lou, a longtime volunteer, and her husband have supported the work of The Hope Center for 20 years.

January is National Mentoring Month. Find your fit and become a mentor now.
 
Mentors connect, befriend and guide. The impact of mentors is tangible. Mentoring is linked to improved academic, social and economic prospects for Omaha/Council Bluffs metro young people who become the future leaders of our community.

Every volunteer comes to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Nebraska with a deeply personal reason for becoming involved. Often, these lifesavers are propelled to spread suicide prevention awareness because of their own pain.

As KETV says, NorthStar volunteers are Community Champions. To see if volunteering at NorthStar is a fit for you, learn more here.
 

The Internet is an amazing thing.

Every year, a group of Northwest Arkansas churches partner together for a mission trip and volunteer for a week. Early this summer they asked Google, ‘Where should we go? Who needs our help?’

  
The Humble Lily is an Omaha gem that is becoming not-so-secret. The Humble Lily is an immaculate boutique at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 114 in Shaker Place that sells lightly used women’s clothing. The proceeds from The Humble Lily support Bethlehem house, a 12-bedroom maternity home for pregnant women in crisis.

Last year Humble Lily funds accounted for 30% of operating income for Bethlehem House. Volunteers are a key part of keeping overhead low. One of these valued volunteers is Kaye.

Partnership 4 Hope's Youth Mart, a donation center for former foster youth, needs new Truck Brigade volunteers! Sign up to join the Truck Brigade here.
 
Overheard during a ride-along with the Truck Brigade, as a team of volunteers delivered a couch, bed frame and mattress to a recipient of donation items:

It’s all about perspective. If you see a carrot with three or four legs at the supermarket, you might “turnip” your nose at it. At a farmer’s market? That organic carrot has personality and it’s worth at least double!   

On a Tuesday evening at the Food Bank for the Heartland, volunteers inspected and sorted pot roast veggies, including carrots with a few extra legs, for distribution to the 93 counties and over 500 agencies the Food Bank serves in Nebraska and Western Iowa.

Peace, healing, joy. Each guest comes to Scatter Joy Acres looking for something different. When they find it, they’re hooked.

“You come one time and that’s all it takes. You’ll be back,” says Kim, a regular Scatter Joy Acres volunteer.