The Stephen Center Mission

Stephen Center partners with the community, families and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction and poverty. Stephen Center, Inc. has served the homeless and low-income men, women and children in Omaha since 1984. The organization was founded by Sharon and Dick McNeil who were determined to focus on the particular needs of the poor in south Omaha. With the help of many friends and volunteers they opened Stephen Center in a building that had been a former bar with a colorful history. Stephen Center operates three distinct programs: Stephen Center Emergency Shelter, Stephen Center HERO program, and the Stephen Center Transitional Living Program. Stephen Center focuses on assisting those who have made a commitment to overcome the life-destroying effects of drugs and alcohol. Del Bomberger has served as Executive Director of Stephen Center since September of 2002. Organizational oversight is provided by the Board of Directors led by President Tom Friehe and is supported by the Guild led by Guild Chair Kim Christensen.

• The Stephen Center Emergency Shelter offering overnight shelter to homeless men, women and children
• The Stephen Center HERO Program for recovering homeless men and women with a co-occurring diagnosis
• The Stephen Center Transitional Living Program
  

Stephen Center Emergency Shelter

The Emergency Shelter at the Stephen Center works with homeless men, women and children. As the area’s only dry shelter, sobriety and a drug-free environment are the hallmarks of this program. The shelter is open on an emergency basis from a few nights to two weeks or longer depending upon the situation. The Emergency Shelter provides a gateway to a variety of supportive services including the opportunity to enroll in the Stephen Center HERO Substance Abuse Treatment Program or Transitional Living opportunities.

Our emergency shelter houses as many as 20-25 children and their mothers at any one time as well as up to 40 single men and 20 single women. Each person is treated with dignity and respect as Stephen Center staff and volunteers work with each person individually to develop and implement a plan for success in emerging from homelessness and regaining a healthy and happy life. Meals are served seven days a week to those staying at the Stephen Center. The Stephen Center is staffed 24 hours a day including the overnight hours when volunteers are typically in charge.

Stephen Center HERO Program – Help, Hope, Heroes

Housed in the recently constructed John L. Hoich Center for Recovery, the HERO program is a state-licensed substance abuse treatment center. Treatment and residence in the HERO program is extremely affordable. making access to treatment available to a wide variety of men and women. This evidence-based twelve-step supported program provides a wide array of treatment opportunities that go far beyond simple 28-day recovery programs. Clients have the opportunity to remain in the program for as long as necessary while regaining employment, re-establishing family relationships and preparing themselves for lifetimes of sobriety and drug-free success. The program recognizes the need for and provides treatment options for those with a co-occurring mental illness as well. HERO program staff work closely with families, drug-courts and other professionals providing additional services to clients. HERO graduates have the opportunity to apply for housing in the Stephen Center Transitional Living Program where they can live for up to 24 months while fine-tuning their newly acquired life skills in a supportive environment.

Stephen Center Transitional Living Program

The Stephen Center Transitional Living Program provides independent housing opportunities for persons that have successfully completed a drug and alcohol treatment program, many who have graduated from our own HERO program. The dwellings consist of seven scattered site homes that enable single parent families to experience independent living and get back on their feet. The program also has eight efficiency apartments for single men and women. The program was designed as part of the continuum of care for the homeless population.

As part of the program, the participants and counselors use a strength-based case management philosophy to develop an individual service plan. The focus of the plan is to help the participants attain self-sufficiency, build self-esteem and complete the treatment program. The Stephen Center goal is to solidify a change in lifestyle that will ensure continued self- reliance and a healthy lifestyle. The homes and apartments are available for up to 24 months.