Shelter Adds Additional Beds: Construction Completed, Weather Changing

January 12, 2007 – Omaha, NE Approval was given by the Stephen Center Board of Directors on December 15, 2006 to add 14 additional beds to the emergency shelter program. This addition brings the availability of beds to 36 for men who are clients of the emergency shelter. Available beds and needs for additional shelter is a growing demand for all of the area shelters including the Stephen Center.  This addition means the emergency shelter will have capacity for as many as 100 men, women and children.

The addition of beds will help alleviate the number of men sleeping on the floor each night at the Stephen Center.  “On a given night there are between 30 and 40 men sleeping on the floor”, says executive director Del Bomberger, “I expect to continue to sleep many individuals on the floor, this is just an emergency step. The weather the past 2 weeks helped us complete the construction needed and with the forecast ahead in the next 3 days, timing couldn’t be better.” 

The additional space became available as the Stephen Center Programs have grown.  The move of the HERO program to the new John L. Hoich Center for Recovery in July of 2006 opened up former office space that was previously used for clients in treatment program.

The addition of beds will be seasonal and will be utilized until April of this year. A fund for this addition has been set up to cover the costs of staff, construction, bedding, heavy duty bunk beds and mattresses.  Visit www.stephencenter.org to learn more.

The Stephen Center was opened in 1984 as a safe and clean facility to serve men and women who have made a commitment not to use drugs and/or alcohol in order to improve the quality of their lives. In the 22 year history The Stephen Center has provided overnight shelter to men, women and children, recovery and mental health programs for individuals with a co-occurring diagnosis, transitional housing for HERO program graduates and case management to emergency shelter clients. The Stephen Center encourages the public to contribute nonperishable foods, clothing, toiletries and hygiene products. Monetary donations provide the most flexibility to purchase what is needed most and may be sent or delivered to The Stephen Center, 2723 Q Street, Omaha, NE 68107.  Donations can be made online www.stephencenter.org.