Click on the invitation for more information.

 

Thanksgiving at the Stephen Center

The Emergency Shelter once again celebrated Thanksgiving on the Mayflower. This is the 3rd year where guests were able to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast aboard a Mayflower moving van. In addition to all of the food, they were also able to watch the parade and football games. The weather cooperated and a good time was had by all. In the Thanksgiving tradition, St. Gerald's delivered three vans full of food and personal care items to the shelter. Volunteers quickly filled the pantry shelves. Thank you to Select Van & Storage / Mayflower Transit, St. Gerald's and all of the volunteers that helped at the Stephen Center Emergency Shelter on Thanksgiving Day.

The Thanksgiving Celebration in the HERO Program is a very different experience. Ric Couch and his team of chefs set out a holiday spread that anyone would envy. If you didn't know you were in the HERO building, you may have mistaken this celebration for that at any restaurant. Volunteers seated and served the clients and their family members. This is a time for our clients to spend time with their families and give thanks for all that is before them.

It is always wonderful to be able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday down at the Stephen Center.

 

Spooktacular Week

The children staying at Stephen Center Emergency Shelter had a fun-filled week celebrating Halloween. All the little ghosts and goblins were able to choose a costume when Kaplan University came in to celebrate Halloween. The Kaplan students and staff also helped the children decorate picture frames and handed out treats. Of course, Kaplan took pictures of the kids in their brand new costumes so they would have a picture to put in that spooky frame.

On Friday, the ghost patrol took the children over to One World's — 'Twas the Night before Halloween where they were able to trick or treat in a safe environment and judge the rooms for spookiest room. The trick or treating wasn't over yet because they also went to the HERO building for more treats. By this time the little goblins were getting very good at all things Halloween and they were asked to judge the pumpkins carved by the clients of the HERO Program. If that wasn't enough, the children and guild members also decorated cookies for all of the residents staying at the shelter.

 

Thanks to the members of the Stephen Center Guild, Kaplan University, One World and the guests in the Emergency Shelter and HERO Program.

 

Stephen Center Thrift Opens

Stephen Center Thrift opened its doors the week of October 19th.  The store is the culmination of many of our dreams.  It is so nice to see that our goals are already being met.  Every person that we have hired to work at Stephen Center Thrift is either staying at our shelter, in the HERO Program or living in one of the Transitional Living apartments or houses.  We’re very excited to be able to provide jobs and training for our clients.  We will also be providing vouchers to our clients that they can use to shop and pay for items in the store.  This will provide all clients’ better access and selection of the items that they need.  All proceeds from the operation of Stephen Center Thrift will support the operation of our mission. 

 

Donations will be accepted at the store during regular business hours.  You can also call 614-1017 to schedule a pick up.  Please see the chart for a list of items we accept and those that we are unable to accept.

 

Stephen Center will Accept:	We are Unable to Accept:
Cleanclothing (men, women, children and infant) Shoes/Boots (in pairs) Jewelry Garden tools, hand tools Bedding, linens (no mattresses) Housewares, dishes, pots/pans Small appliances (toasters, lamps, clocks, etc) Clean furniture Portable stereos and TVs Stuffed animals Give us what you would give your friend!	Console TVs Hazardous waste/chemical lubricants Plumbing fixtures/scrap building materials Large appliances (refrigerators, dryers, etc.) Used tires, paint, oil Dehumidifiers/humidifiers Waterbeds, mattresses, box springs Furniture in need of repair Large exercise equipment or sporting goods Pianos/organs Encyclopedias Children's toys Bicycles

For the story about the new Stephen Center Thrift on the WOWT website, click here. (Will open in a new browser window at WOWT.com)

Our Lady of Lourdes Sixth Annual Walk for the Homeless

It may have been cold outside, but that didn't stop the students from Our Lady of Lourdes from making their sixth annual trek from the school down to the Stephen Center Emergency Shelter. The Omaha Police Department escorted the group on their four mile walk. The students were greeted with treats and punch by the staff, volunteers and guests at the shelter. In addition to the walk, the students also held a bake sale and change war between the classes to raise money for the Stephen Center. Thanks to all the walkers. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

 

Profiles in Caring

Stephen Center received an “Ambassador of Caring” award from Equitable Life & Casualty.  In addition to the award, a segment about the center was created for a program called Profiles in Caring.  The segment will air in Salt Lake City and is syndicated to several stations throughout the United Sates.  You can view the three segments by clicking here or going to www.goodtube.org.  Then follow these instructions to view the Stephen Center segments:

Select the tab that says Organizations

Find Ambassadors of Caring

Scroll to the bottom of the left hand side and you will find all three (7-minute) segments.

Stephen Center on Facebook

Click the logo to visit the Stephen Center facebook page: