History

The Omaha Home for Boys was founded October 12, 1920 in Omaha, Neb., after the Chamber of Commerce recognized the need for a safe place to send orphaned, neglected and wayward boys within Omaha’s city limits.

Tinley L. Combs, prominent jeweler and Chamber of Commerce president at the time, thought the project would be appropriate for a group he was affiliated with—the Masons. Combs, along with 11 other businessmen belonging to various Masonic Lodges in the Omaha area, founded a nonprofit, non-denominational safe haven for boys. This “home,” filled with boys of all socioeconomic and religious backgrounds, was called the Nebraska Children’s Homefinding Association. In 1952, the name changed to the Omaha Home for Boys.

Over the years, the Omaha Home for Boys served youth from across the country, however, the young men and women in our programs today primarily come from Nebraska.

Click here to read more about Omaha Home for Boys history. 

TIMELINE

1920: Founded as the Nebraska Children’s Homefinding Association on N. 22nd Street
1921: Took in first boy, James King
1923: Moved to the “Megeath House” near Omaha’s Hanscom Park
1930: Purchased the Elkhorn Farm for the boys to learn agricultural skills and provide food for themselves
1941: The Elkhorn Farm is sold to help purchase our current location in north Omaha
1942: Many of the home’s older boys leave to enter World War II
1945: Moved to cottage life on “Inspiration Hill,” our present location on 52nd and Ames Ave.
1948: Bob Cooper donates his stock farm to start a 4-H program for the boys
1959: First to pioneer the change from single housemothers taking care of the boys to married House Parents caring for them in a family atmosphere
1970: The Home celebrates its 50th anniversary
1994: Jacobs’ Place transitional living program begins operation
2010: The Branching Out Program begins, serving hundreds of youth ages 14-24