2010 Annual Report

Doing Th Doing The

Most Good We Shine Because You Shine SM

Most Goo The Salvation Army Annual Report 2010

Doing The

Most Good SM

We Shine Because You Shine Darkness can be overwhelming. Finding a source of light is not always easy, especially when it must come from within.

The Salvation Army dares to reach into the darkness of lost hope to guide individuals, families and entire communities to brighter days. The Army helps people shine, but we don’t do it alone. When a community comes together to help those in need, we all shine. We shine because we have hope in what we can accomplish together. We shine because you shine.

There are thousands of “you” who donate your time, services, income, possessions — and light. This year the Army had many shining moments. We received grants for successful programs, teamed up with Girl Scouts to fight hunger, expanded Winter Night Watch to South Omaha, bused kids from throughout the community to the Kroc Center and much more. Thank you for all you’ve done to help us help others this year. Keep shining.

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Welcome to the 2010 annual report, We Shine Because You Shine.

Throughout these pages, you will see many examples of how lives are affected by The Salvation Army’s ministries in metropolitan Omaha.

Because of your continued support, many individuals are able to shine through adversities that would otherwise be overwhelming.

I extend a sincere “thank you” to all of our supporters, volunteers and community partners and offer this wisdom from Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” May God bless you!

Your partner in service,

Major Paul D. Smith Divisional Commander Western Divisional Leader

Dear Friends, We sometimes forget that the work of The Salvation Army is not just seasonal, nor does it occur only when disaster strikes. Day in and day out, the Army accepts responsibility for helping a growing number of individuals and families here in metropolitan Omaha who struggle to gather basic necessities.

Our Mission The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The unwavering dedication of the officers, staff and volunteers of the Army moves us to praise Him in whose name they serve. They fulfill the biblical instruction to let your light shine by working to serve God through serving others.

We hope you are inspired by this report and find comfort in the fact that The Salvation Army is doing everything in its power to make our community a shining example of caring and compassion.

Many blessings,

Steven W. Seline Chairman, Advisory Board

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Shining through Youth Volunteerism In 2010 alone, individuals gave more than 55,000 hours of time to The Salvation Army. A surprising number of these volunteers were youths who were able to experience firsthand the need within our community – especially for things as basic as food. It is volunteers like these who make the future of The Salvation Army and those we serve look that much brighter.

Girl Scouts Fight Hunger and learn the importance of giving.

Just Can It makes indelible impression on UNO students.

A legacy of volunteerism sparks this teen’s bright idea.

“Their eyes get big when I tell my young Girl Scouts about families who need the basics of food, clothing and shelter, and they’re so pure of heart, they want to help,” explained Madeline Madden, troop leader and Girl Scouts Fight Hunger event organizer.

For one week each spring, UNO students from Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Alpha Xi Delta sorority forego the comfort of their beds to sleep in cardboard boxes in the parking lot of Crossroads Mall. Their motivation is Just Can It, an annual event to raise homelessness awareness and collect goods for The Salvation Army food pantry.

Allie Baxter competes on her high school cross-country team and enjoys running in the city’s various fundraising races. “I was doing a charity race and had this idea that instead of paying for entry, people could donate food.”

More than 200 Omaha-area Girl Scouts shined with the success of their second annual campaign to fight hunger in 2010. Their efforts yielded approximately 14,000 food items for The Salvation Army food pantry.

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They would come up and tell us about the hardships they’ve endured. It was an experience I won’t forget.

According to Madeline, the event had an impact on multiple levels. “The girls are remembering this, and that’s part of getting youth involved in the community. I see this as a great collaboration between the Girl Scouts and The Salvation Army to help the growing number of people who are having trouble making ends meet.”

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Just Can It gathered more than 31,000 nonperishable food items in 2010. That pleased student event organizer Bill Larsen, but it was the interactions he had with homeless individuals that left the biggest impression. “We had a couple people visit who were just walking by. They would come up and tell us about the hardships they’ve endured. It was an experience I won’t forget.”

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Because her grandmother and mother have been devoted supporters of The Salvation Army, Allie came up with the concept of the Red Kettle Run to benefit the Army’s food pantry. The inaugural event was held on Oct. 30, 2010, with an entry fee of 10 cans of food or a $10 donation.

Allie had a goal of 200 participants for the first Red Kettle Run. Yet on the day of the race, 400 people showed up and contributed $16,000 worth of food. “One person donated $250 to $300 right on the spot, just because he thought it was an amazing cause. We’re already planning the next Red Kettle Run,” said a beaming Allie.

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Shining through Education Knowledge is the single most empowering tool that we can help to provide. That’s why education is behind everything we do at The Salvation Army. Here are some programs that allowed all participants to shine brightly in 2010.

New program gives Sudanese youth an after-school haven.

Back-to-School program prepares kids on many levels.

Scholarship lets DJ’s Hero keep on shining.

Though 2010 was the program’s first year, as many as 75 children experienced nourishment for the body, mind and soul each school night at the Citadel chapel, located on The Salvation Army Lied Renaissance Center campus.

Since 1998 nearly 100,000 children have gotten new backpacks and school supplies through The Salvation Army and KETV 7 Can Help Kids Back-to-School Backpack program. Now Boys Town Pediatrics is seeing that children receive care that can even save their lives.

During her senior year at Fremont High School, Emily Essen logged more than 260 volunteer hours and rose above her own health problems to help others. For her efforts, Emily was awarded a DJ’s Hero scholarship of $5,000 to go toward higher education.

The program helps these youths to avoid becoming latchkey kids while their parents strive to make a living.

It also gives them the opportunity to explore new avenues such as Manners 101, a class created in collaboration with First National Bank and Opera Omaha.

“Doctors and nurses set up mini-clinics at each distribution site and do free For the kids who health checks. For many of these kids, received backpacks, it’s their only chance to get an exam these aren’t just all year,” explained Lino Vigil, Seasonal school supplies.

Events Coordinator at The Salvation These are their Army. “One physician discovered treasures that a young child had a very serious According to Madeline Madden, heart defect. He sent the mother and Director of Annual Fund/ child straight to the hospital. The mother had tears of Advancment, “Manners 101 ended with a graduation gratitude in her eyes.” luncheon on the top floor of the First National Tower

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downtown, and it was heartwarming to see that the kids had learned very well how to be gracious and carry themselves. They were very thankful to have such a unique opportunity. Their faces were just beaming.”

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“The scholarship money helped me pay for school so I didn’t have to get a job. That meant I had more time to continue doing the volunteer work I love,” said Emily, who founded Little Rays of Sunshine, which provides gifts and meals to children and their families who are in hospitals during holidays. She also volunteers her time to a variety of other causes.

Named in memory of D.J. Sokol, the award is given annually to Nebraska teens, aged 17-19, who – like D.J. – have exhibited uncommon character and commitment to good works.

As for the backpack distribution, a teacher at Blackburn Elementary School said it best in a testimony that read, “For the kids who received backpacks, these aren’t just school supplies. These are their treasures.”

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Shining through Outstanding Programs More than 20 programs are housed on The Salvation Army Lied Renaissance Center campus. Add them to the programs at four additional corps locations, the Gene Eppley Camp & Retreat Center and the Adult Rehabilitation Center with its five family stores, and you just might get enough positive energy to light the entire city. But since this isn’t possible, the best we can do is shine a light on some of the outstanding program advancements of 2010.

Winter Night Watch and the people it serves benefit from grant.

New program helps people during and after mental health crises.

Wellspring grant recognizes life-changing services.

In his job as director of Winter Night Watch, John Kuzma experiences both the joy of helping others and the sorrow of an ever-growing need for homelessness services in our community.

The newly formed Mobile Crisis Response Team is a collaborative effort among law enforcement, Lutheran Family Services and The Salvation Army to diffuse crisis situations resulting from mental health issues and arrange appropriate after-care services – many of which are offered through the Community Assisted Support Services program at The Salvation Army Lied Renaissance Center.

For years the Wellspring program has been helping people recover from lives of prostitution with little attention from the world beyond the walls of The Salvation Army Lied Renaissance Center. That changed in 2010 when a grant from the Women’s Fund of Omaha was awarded to the program in recognition of the life-changing work that happens here every day.

“We’re constantly hearing, ‘Thank you for being here’ and, ‘God bless, this is the only hot meal I get.’ You just have to see it for yourself: a whole line of people standing in line out in the cold for a warm meal to arrive. It hurts to see that.”

The crisis team is unique in that it serves both youths and adults, explained Jessica Woodard, program director of Post Crisis Response Services at The Salvation Army.

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... we are seeing A significant grant from Dundee her become more Presbyterian Church in 2010 optimistic, goal-driven allowed The Salvation Army to add a second Winter Night Watch “Our youngest client was a 10-yearand excited to go back mobile canteen and distribute old girl in a foster home that wasn’t to school. We’ve gotten warm meals, hats, coats, blankets, working out. Her case manager has her to start dreaming gloves, socks and other winter worked with her for a while now and again. supplies to approximately 300 is seeing positive changes. She was a people per night. While it can’t young girl with a pessimistic outlook, take away the hurt of homelessness, Winter Night Watch but we are seeing her become more optimistic, goalcan deliver a bit of warmth and kindness on cold nights. driven and excited to go back to school. We’ve gotten her to start dreaming again.”

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Typically Wellspring clients are women who have just been released after being in jail for solicitation. The Salvation Army is often the only place where they can find shelter, along with therapeutic services, support groups and life skills training.

Program director Mary Raynovich is thrilled to have received extra funding to help Wellspring participants.

“These women are incredibly brave. They have often had a life of poverty or a chaotic family life and ended up on the street where they have been raped or succumbed to drug addiction. Now we have several women who have established their own residence for the first time in years or even the first time in their lives. These are huge shining moments, and we don’t want them to go unnoticed.”

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Shining through the Kroc Center “Joan Kroc never learned how to swim or ride a bike and that’s part of the reason she wanted The Salvation Army to build Kroc Centers in underserved communities. She wanted to present people with opportunities to realize God-given talents they may not have discovered otherwise,” explained Major Todd Thielke, Senior Officer at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. In 2010 the generosity of Kroc scholarship donors helped 155 families gain membership to the center, allowing an additional 645 people to open the doors of opportunity in South Omaha.

Swimming programs help build children’s self-esteem.

Road to Citizenship classes help enrich and improve lives.

“Shine is the perfect description of what these kids’ faces look like when they accomplish something like making it across the pool for the first time. They’re beaming,” said Major Cathy Thielke, Officer for Congregational Life at the Kroc Center.

Gina Ponce, director of Education and Arts, is proud that the English as a Second Language classes (ESL) are among the most popular offerings at the Kroc Center. “Contrary to some of the negative perceptions out there, people who come to our country really do want to learn English. They understand the importance of speaking the language In the eyes of when looking for jobs, communicating those who are with their children’s teachers and involved with the achieving a higher quality of life for Kroc Center, we their families.”

The main pool at the Kroc Center is 25 yards long, which can look like a mile to a child. Many are hesitant at first, especially since most kids who come here for swimming lessons haven’t been to many or any all come away as pools in their lifetimes. But as their ESL is offered in three levels so that winners. experience grows, so does their participants can build upon their reading, confidence, and sessions often end writing and speaking skills. The same with a new group of water lovers. class structure also applies to Spanish Even those less enthusiastic come away with important as a Second Language classes. water safety awareness.

Language classes are only a part of The Road to Citizenship

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In the eyes of those who are involved with the Kroc Center, we all come away as winners.

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curriculum at the Kroc Center, which also includes an Immigration Information Workshop and a Citizenship Class.

Community partnerships shine a light on collaboration.

No matter the season, 2010 was a year of strengthening bonds between the Kroc Center and community partners — such as the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which began providing on-site health screenings, and the Red Cross and Wells Fargo, who together started a free swimming program.

In summer the Westside Nutrition Services’ Summer Feeding Program for children started up, along with the Food Bank for the Heartland’s distribution of free produce on Thursdays. Concerts were heard on the lawn because of ConAgra and other corporate sponsors.

Autumn brought a partnership with 13 area elementary schools, allowing students and teachers and their families to use the facilities free of charge on designated evenings.

Omaha Nighthawks players with the United States Football League designated us as their training center.

These are but a few examples of the partnerships that benefit those who visit our center on a year-round basis – and every day we are grateful.

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Programs 2010 Family and Children’s Services

Kroc Corps Community Center

Stepping Stones Center — Loving, intergenerational child development and education.

A state-of-the-art facility where children, adults, seniors, families, businesses and groups can come as members or visitors for fun, fitness, education, meetings, celebrations, worship or the arts.

CARES (Comprehensive Adolescent Residential and

Educational Services) — Residential and support

services for female adolescents including those who are pregnant and parenting.

Early Head Start — A family-centered program for low-income families who are expecting or have an infant or toddler.

Wellspring — Support, education and advocacy for women, men and children who are adversely affected by prostitution.

Real Life Connections — Educational groups and therapeutic intervention for incarcerated men and women. Homeless

Health Services

and Behavioral

37th Street Residential Readiness Program — Educational, goal-oriented community living for people who are homeless.

Transitional Housing — For previously homeless families that are preparing to live independently.

Scattered Site Transitional Housing — Communitybased housing for people in final preparation for independent living.

MASS (Material Assistance and Seasonal Services) — Food pantry, heat aid, summer fan program, clothing and material assistance for people in need. Includes Christmas programs and backpack distributions.

Mental Health Respite Emergency Community Support — Residential care for adults needing psychiatric stabilization.

Emergency Community Support — Immediate brief community support for individuals who have experienced a recent mental health crisis.

CASS (Community Assisted Support Services) — Community support for individuals dealing with chronic mental illness.

ICS (Intensive Community Support) — Daily support for individuals with severe, chronic mental illness concerns.

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Senior Services

Charles and Margre Durham Booth Manor — Comfortable apartment living for low-income seniors.

Dora Bingel Senior Center — Social, recreational and spiritual opportunities for seniors.

Goldenrod Club — Opportunities for fellowship and education.

OASIS (Omaha Area Service Institute for Seniors) — Comprehensive array of one-stop community services for elderly individuals.

Telephone Reassurance/Friendly Visitor — Caring contact with lonely seniors through phone calls and visits.

Disaster Services A 24/7, 365 days-a-year program offering relief for first responders and survivors of emergency disasters. Included are provisions of food, water, clothing and spiritual guidance.

Winter Night WatchReaching out on cold evenings to individuals and families who

are homeless or near-homeless.ARC (Adult Rehabilitation Center)

Men in despair from drug and alcohol addiction receive the help necessary to turn their lives around.

Housing, intensive counseling and jobs, often associated with The Salvation Army Thrift Stores, are part of this program.

Locations The Salvation Army Lied Renaissance Center Divisional Headquarters & Omaha Social Services

Council Bluffs Corps Worship & Community Center

3612 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 402-898-5900

Lieutenants Bradley & Cassandra Burkett 715 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 712-328-2088

Citadel Corps Worship & Community Center

Gene Eppley Camp & Retreat Center

Majors Richard & Susan Rubottom Hubermann-Dietrich Memorial Chapel 3738 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 402-553-5694

Pete Hoskin, Camp Director 915 Allied Road, Bellevue, NE 68123 402-291-1912

North Corps Worship & Community Center

Majors Laurence & Judy McPherson 2551 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68131 402-342-4135

Lieutenants Joel & Etta Johnson 2424 Pratt Street, Omaha, NE 68111 402-451-4048

ARC (Adult Rehabilitation Center)

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center Majors Todd & Catherine Thielke Administrative Corps Officers Lieutenant Bersabe Vera-Hernandez Officer for Youth Development & Outreach 2825 Y Street, Omaha, NE 68107 402-905-3500

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Leadership 2010

Summary of Financial Support

Central Territory Western Division

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010

Public Support and Revenue Public Contributions and Support

$15,521,034

Adult Rehabilitation Center Support and Revenue

$3,524,169

Allocated by United Way of the Midlands

$591,789

Total Public Support and Revenue

$19,636,992

Expenses Program and Services

$14,963,479

Management and General

$661,811

Fundraising Expense

$1,260,999

Adult Rehabilitation Center Expense

$3,524,169

Total Expense

$20,383,458

Back to School Total served Family & Children Services Total served

23,381 6,973

Winter Night Watch Total served

4,573

Camp Total served

19,493 21,591 3,345

Homelessness Prevention Services Total served 14,787

Corps Community Centers Recreational activity participants 40,727

Senior Services Total served

Volunteer Services Total volunteers Total volunteer hours

11,173

18,099 48,459

Bequeathment There are several types of gift plans, many with donor benefits like increased income and tax savings. For further information and advice, consult your professional adviser and The Salvation Army Planned Giving Department at 402-898-5913, or visit our planned giving Web site: www.salarmygiving.org.

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Major Steven Merritt Divisional Secretary/ Men’s Ministries Major Christine Merritt Women’s Ministries Secretary Major Greg Voeller Divisional Financial Secretary

Major Barbara Shiels Older Adult Ministries Director/Community Care Ministries Secretary

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2010

Disaster Services Total served

Major Renea Smith Director of Women’s Ministries/Divisional Secretary for Program/ Divisional Leadership Development Secretary

Major Carla Voeller Assistant Program Secretary/Divisional Music Secretary/ Assistant Camp Administrator/Moral & Ethical Issues Secretary

Statistics ’10 Christmas Total served

Major Paul D. Smith Divisional Commander

Captain Scott Shelbourn Divisional Youth Secretary/Camp Administrator/Assistant Candidates Secretary Captain Jolinda Shelbourn Divisional Youth Secretary

Carl Mammel

Carol Cranston

Steven S. Martin

Dee D’Agosto

Sharon Marvin-Griffin**

Mary Kaye Eggers

Terry Moore

Marte Ellis

Joe O’Connor

Jan Faist

John Kuzma Divisional Director of Disaster Services

Dolores Owen

Rosemary Frandeen

Keith Powell

Julie Fritz

Bill Ramsey*

Cris Hedgpeth

2010-2011 Advisory Board

James P. Ryan

Mary Alice Hurlburt

Rita Sanders

Lou Ann Landholm

Steve Sawtell**

Tracy Jerkovich

Steve Seline Chairman

Charles V. Sederstrom***

Linda Johnson

Nick Taylor Vice-Chairman

Michael Simmonds

Mary Moberg

Joleen David Secretary

Dr. Lee Simmons

Linda Garbina Divisional Director of Planned Giving Madeline Madden Director of Annual Fund/Advancement

Fred Hunzeker Treasurer Jack Barnhart** Anne Baxter David Bishop Ed Burchfield Dorene Butler*

Wayne Smith Gene Spence** Jim Suttle Mark Theisen L.B. “Red” Thomas** Anne Thorne Weaver Sue Toberer

Michael Cassling

Jeff Wilke

Chancellor John Christensen

2010-2011 Women’s Auxiliary Board

Patrick Combs Hal Daub John Fraser Captain James Gentile Bennett Ginsberg Gail Graeve Kent Grisham Tim Harrison

Joanne K. Bemis Divisional Director of Community Relations & Development

Kevin Simmonds

Timothy Hart Tom Hillmer* Ryan Horn

Dr. Linda Burkle Divisional Director of Social Services

Jeannette James

Susan Eustice Divisional Director of Public Relations & Communications

Joe Kavan

Lawrence R. “Chip” James II Chris Kircher James E. Landen*** Michelle Lebens

* = Emeritus Member

** = Life Member

Nancy Wolf President Kathy Gross

Vice President Nancy Hanson Treasurer Polly Goecke

Recording Secretary

Nancy Kratky Joyce Mullins Lenore Polack Sandy Price Kari Kratky Salem Dorene Sherman Marie Simmons Judy Skinner Deb Summers Sue Toberer Wanda Utecht Anne Thorne Weaver Marcia Weber Kay Kriss Weinstein Mary Yoest For information on The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary or an application form,

call 402-898-5933.

Susan Coffey Corresponding Secretary Karen Spaustat Advisor Ex-Officio Major Renea Smith Ex-Officio Devra Bram Jan Cohen Susan Conine *** = National Advisory Board Member

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Acknowledgments The Salvation Army 2010 Annual Report was graciously created and donated by Wright Jensen Paragon Printing, Craig Fulkerson Photography, Ervin Photography and SKAR.

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