Reaching a milestone. Turning vision into reality.In 1995 The Omaha Home for Boys fulfilled our commitment to our mission statement – to support and strengthen families & youth – by overcoming challenges and completing a number of projects which turned optimism into fact. In January, 1994, I became President of the Board of Directors. The Board and I promised the Boys’ Home that we would begin implementing the recommendations of a Long Range Planning Study. After two years, I can proudly say we have kept our promise. The Home continues to be unique among youth care agencies. The quality of our Residential Program, which was originally begun for orphaned and wayward boys, is well known among our youth service and social service peers. The services the Home provides today are among the very best available for neglected, abused, abandoned and troubled boys from all parts of the United States. Other unique characteristics are: •All residents receive care free of charge. •All boys attend public schools and the churches of their own faith. •Direct care is provided by house parents living in the residential cottage alongside the boys. •Educational services are provided on campus in all subject areas to supplement public schooling and meet the individual needs of the boys. Besides maintaining our existing youth programs, the Long Range Planning Study also recommended the Home consider: Transitional Living - For youth who have graduated from High School, but still have no basic family support system as they move on to college, trade school or the work force. Family Counseling - To help resolve conflicts within the family and make reunification possible. Life and Independent Living Skills - To teach residents how to perform the necessities of daily life and manage their personal lives. All of these additional programs went on-line in 1994 and reached full capacity in 1995. This year we revitalized our Transitional Living program by recruiting a new set of “veteran” House Parents and reviewing all procedures and operations. The result – we accepted 18 new residents into Transitional Living! The Home’s Family Counseling program also went into full production in 1995. During the year, our counselors and staff worked with 21 parents in a four session parent training module. Further, the Home’s staff conducted a parenting seminar for clients of the Greater Omaha Community Alliance. Finally, opportunities to learn Life and Independent Living Skills have been made available to all our residents through the Home’s Successful Living Instructor. He, along with the House Parents, has worked with the boys, teaching life skills both in theory and practical application. In addition to solidifying our existing programs, and instituting new ones, The Omaha Home for Boys also revitalized our commitment to the joint effort with Uta Halee Girls Village – The Cooper Village Residential Psychiatric Care Facility. With the financial backing of the Boys’ Home, two more cottages were completed at Cooper Village in 1995. Twenty-four boys received the residential psychiatric intensive care offered by Cooper Village last year, and the facility began its day treatment program for local youth in need of support. The 1995 year also marked the 75th Anniversary of the founding of The Omaha Home for Boys. The Home’s 75th Anniversary celebration included a number of special events and projects. These included our 3rd National Alumni Reunion with over 300 attendees; the completion and dedication of the new Youth & Family Services Building and Visitors Center; the publishing of the Home’s 75th Anniversary History Book; and President Gerald Ford’s visit. Last year truly was a time for reaching milestones and turning vision into reality. As I leave office, I look back proudly at the direction the Home has taken and the strides made in 1994-95. I was only a small part of those accomplishments – joined by a magnificent group of dedicated friends, donors, directors, trustees and staff. On behalf of the boys and myself, I want to thank all the committed, steadfast supporters of The Omaha Home for Boys for their loyalty and hard work. And if you think last year was good, just wait till 1996 ... Most Sincerely,
James A. Chapin |
