Denture Program Results

Thanks to the Creighton University School of Dentistry and The Charles Drew Clinic, of the 68 people in need of critical denture care, 12 have received dentures and 41 others are in process. Read the full story ».

Tuesday June 3rd, 2008

Project Homeless Connect, Omaha, brought the gift of hope to more than 300 homeless persons, and created life-changing experiences for hundreds of volunteers.

Held at the Kiewit Center on the Creighton University campus, nearly 500 volunteers were instrumental in affecting a positive and lasting impact on the lives of our less fortunate neighbors in the metro area. Volunteers included professionals and college students who donated their time and talents in the areas of housing, legal, medical, and government agencies/services. Additional volunteers were specially trained adults who served as “navigators,” paired with clients to accompany them throughout the event. The volunteers later shared insights regarding their interactions with clients... Read the full story »

Tuesday June 3rd, 2008

After losing his job of 29 years, Melvin Foster found himself standing among hundreds of other homeless people today, hoping Omaha's first Project Homeless Connect could lead to steady work, a place to live, a life off the streets.

Foster arrived with the first round of buses that brought people from homeless shelters in Omaha and Council Bluffs to the Creighton University campus. More buses were scheduled to arrive throughout the day, delivering as many as... Read the full story »

April 21, 2008

Many Merit Thanks for Homeless Event - From the Omaha World Herald

What a remarkable community in which we live.

When my wife suggested we organize a Project Homeless Connect in Omaha, never did I imagine the results that would come about. With the support of Fred Simon and Gail Werner -Robertson, miracles began to happen right from... Read the full story »

April 21, 2008

Many Helping Hands - From the Omaha World-Herald

Omaha's first-ever Project Homeless Connect event was not only a comprehensive approach to the area's homeless problem. This praiseworthy effort also proved a moving experience for the hundreds of volunteers... Read the full story »

April 11, 2008

The Iowa West Foundation Supports Project Homeless Connect Omaha

The Iowa West Foundation, which is headquartered in Council Bluffs, announced its first quarter grants to non-profits and government entities, and included in the announcement is a $13,400 grant to the Siena/Francis House in Omaha, to support Project Homeless Connect Omaha. The grant is to be used for transitional services for the homeless in the Omaha metropolitan area. The Siena/Francis House has been fortunate to have received five previous grants from the Iowa West Foundation over the years, as well. More information about the foundation can be found at www.IowaWestFoundation.org.

February 28th, 2008

Omaha's First "Project Homeless Connect" Day Aims To Match
Homeless with Benefits, Resources

Homeless citizens in the greater Omaha area will receive help, hope, and housing during the first Project Homeless Connect, Omaha event. This special one-day event is scheduled for Friday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to provide a "one-stop shop" to connect the homeless with important services in a supportive setting, at the Kiewit Center on the Creighton University campus.

Homeless individuals will have access to immediate benefits, and information on employment, housing, healthcare, education, legal resources, clothing for job interviews, food stamps, and Social Security. Event coordinator Ed Shada says the goal is simple: "To end homelessness, one person at a time."

Area agencies have identified homeless citizens who will be invited to participate. Non-profit agencies, local businesses, volunteer groups, healthcare providers, legal experts, human resource professionals, government employees, translators, personal appearance specialists including hair stylists and clothing providers, and other service providers will be on hand to offer immediate assistance and referrals.

Shada emphasizes the need for at least 600 volunteers, from persons with expertise in healthcare, legal, and other resources, to people who can donate a few hours to welcome their fellow citizens in need, assist them in completing forms, and provide an encouraging smile. "People in the Midwest are known for their willingness to help others. Project Homeless Connect is a great opportunity for people within our community to demonstrate their custom of caring and support." Shada adds that interested persons can complete a volunteer registration form found at www.HomelessConnectOmaha.org.

Creighton University President Father John P. Schlegel, S.J., is the Honorary Chairman for this inaugural event, and has offered Creighton University's Kiewit Center, 2500 California Plaza, as the host site.

Project Homeless Connect began in San Francisco in 2004, and has grown to chapters in 120 cities and tens of thousands of volunteers who believe in helping their neighbors. Shada, Manager of Business Development at Bellevue University's Corporate Learning Services Division, became involved after learning of a homeless man whose family had been searching for him for 25 years. Shada's interest has led him to visit other cities conducting similar one-day assistance events, and he brought the idea to the greater Omaha area to serve the homeless population in the community. Shada says homeless in the greater Omaha area include children, seniors, and veterans.

"Imagine a homeless person looking for a job, but he is in need of getting a state ID card, plus a hair cut and a decent outfit, before finding a company willing to take a chance on hiring him. Or a young woman who needs daycare so she can search for employment, and needs transportation just to get to the interview," Shada says. "On Friday, April 11, homeless individuals will be treated as welcomed guests, receive immediate aid, interact with service providers, and rebuild a sense of worth and self-esteem," notes Shada.

The following spokespeople will be available for interviews at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 11:

• Father John P. Schlegel, S.J., President, Creighton University
• Mike Fahey, Mayor, Omaha
• Tom Hanafan, Mayor, Council Bluffs

February 9th, 2008

Heartland Focus' Rachel Pierce will be hosting a discussion between Pastor Harry Wallar of MOHM’s Place in Council Bluffs, Mike Saklar of the Sienna Francis House and Ed Shada to discuss homelessness in Omaha and this upcoming event.

February 4th, 2008

Mayor Mike Fahey confirms his attendance at Project Homeless Connect Omaha. Mayor Fahey has worked to strengthen neighborhoods and parks, enhance our professional police and fire departments, and build our city to higher design standards. He has been very active in community projects since his election to office in 2001. According to Ed Shada, 'this is a great event and we are honored to have the Mayor in attendance'.

January 17, 2008

Mayor Tom Hanafan of Council Bluffs, IA will attend the opening of the inaugural Project Homeless Connect – Omaha, April 11, 2008. This event is a combined effort of both Omaha, NE and Council Bluffs, IA homeless services. Mayor Hanafan has been the mayor of Council Bluffs, Iowa for the last 16 years and is a past president of the Iowa League of Cities.

We are honored to have his support for this Metro-area event.

January 16, 2008

Sally Ganem, First Lady of Nebraska, announced she will attend the first annual Project Homeless Connect – Omaha, April 11, 2008. The First Lady is active in the Fremont community as a member of the Low Income Ministry Board and the Social Sciences Advisory Board of Metropolitan Community College, and received the Lifetime Membership Award from the Fremont Noon Optimists. She is a past president of both the Fremont Area United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She has been an American Heart Association volunteer and a John C Fremont Days volunteer, where she started the children's activities portion of the celebration.

It is truly an honor to have Ms. Ganem’s presence and support for this event.

December 3rd, 2007

PHC Omaha Kick-off lunch: Mike Saklar – Sienna Francis House; Ken Reed-Bouley and Wayne Morford – Creighton University; Cindy Goodin - Director of Program Services, Youth Emergency Services, Inc.; Beth Haley – ConAgra Foods, Inc.; Bailie Shada – SilverStone Group, Inc.; Joyce O'Neil - ServicePoint System Administrator; Pastor Harry Wallar – MOHM’s Place, Council Bluffs, IA; and Ed Shada – Bellevue University.

December 2nd, 2007

Eve and Fred Simon and The Robertson Family Trust have agreed to support this event through generous donations.

November 28th, 2007

Creighton University agrees to host the areas first Project Homeless Connect a one-day event that serves as a one-stop shop, connecting homeless individuals to needed services, including: employment, housing, healthcare, legal resources, Social Security and food-stamp benefits.

November 5th, 2007

Ed Shada announces Project Homeless Connect to The Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (“MACCH”), an organization in Omaha, Nebraska designed to lead a collaborative network that coordinates and maximizes resources to prevent and eliminate homelessness.