The Omaha Home for Boys is a member of the National Fellowship of Child Care Executives and the National Association of Homes and Services for Children.

Founded in 1920, The Omaha Home for Boys is licensed by the State of Nebraska and is governed by 70 Trustees and our Board of Directors of 30 who serve as volunteers without financial remuneration. Annual operating and financial statements are prepared by certified public accountants and filed as public information with the Nebraska Department of Social Services.

The Omaha Home for Boys 75th Anniversary History Books are available. To receive your copy contact Todd Simpson at 1-800-408-4663 today! To read the Home's complete history, click on the history book to your right. Also available is the Home's new video -- "A Vision of Caring".

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOME? If you have a question about the Home, would like to receive our financial statements, or we can help in any way, call us at our new toll free number 1-800-408-4663.

PULLING HIS WEIGHT  

John’s father would crank the tractor seat up as high as it would go so the 5 year old could see over the wheel.  Although most fathers are teaching their boys the fine art of bicycle riding at this age, these two were forging a bond with each other – and with tractors!

John grew up in a close-knit farming community near Omaha with his parents and three siblings.  John’s father had been competing in tractor pull competitions for over 40 years, and he wanted John to experience the thrills, fun and hard work that go into that sport.

At the age of 12, John was a fixture at competitions – the little boy on the bright red 1949 Allis Chalmers, smoke belching and engine screaming, as he roared down the 300 foot track pulling a weighted sled.

John’s quiet manner and shy personality can hide his competitive nature.  In fact, his favorite competitions are the “floating finish” pulls – where drivers go all out and pull as far as they can go.  Only the determined need enter!

His attitude and tenacity earned the respect of his competitors, many of whom had been competing 20, 30 or even 40 years!

The bond between them grew as John and his father worked on the tractor engine, while reliving the excitement of the competition. They were buddies.

Then John’s world shattered.  His mother and father divorced, and even though they shared custody, John’s life changed forever.  Suddenly, his father wasn’t there every day to counsel and support him.  His mother moved on to a new relationship, which John didn’t want to accept.  Her actions slammed the door on his secret hopes of reconciliation.

John began running with the wrong crowd and making the wrong choices as a way to deal with the pain, and soon ended up facing a judge.  The judge recognized that John just needed to get back on track, and he sent him to The Omaha Home for Boys.

John was relieved to find a real home instead of an institution waiting for him.  His House Parents, Bob and Diana Rugg, are 12 year veterans at the Home and they gently guided John into his new life.

Through it all, John wanted to keep pulling. This goal fueled him and kept him on track, and he soon earned time from the        Home to compete.

He finished the year strong in tractor pulling … and in life.  His grades are excellent, he participates in the Home’s 4-H program, and his attitude has improved.

Early in February, John’s father arranged to take him to the tractor puller association awards banquet.  John looked forward to spending time with his father but didn’t expect to win anything.  After all, he’s the youngest puller in his division in the state.

John froze when his name was announced as the State Champion!  He could not believe he’d beaten seasoned veterans – especially the runner-up, 20 years his senior who had National Championship titles under his belt!

John’s time at The Omaha Home for Boys has given him a new focus and goals. That determination which has won countless competitions now helps him focus on positive paths for his life.  He would like to follow in his older brother’s footsteps by serving our country with a career in the Army.  In the meantime, graduation is his goal and he’s well on his way.

As for tractor pulling, John plans to compete again this year and try to earn enough points to secure an invitation to the National Championships.

We are convinced that with John’s competitive spirit and determination, all his dreams will become a reality.

 Back to Table of Contents

PERSONALLY SPEAKING
LET’S TAKE A MOMENT TO DISCUSS… BEING MORE THAN JUST A BOYS HOME 

I was talking with a friend at a Chamber of Commerce meeting the other day when a training session offered by The Omaha Home for Boys came up.  My friend said, “I knew you were a great home for needy kids, but I didn’t know you did all that!”  I smiled when I told her, “The Boys’ Home is much more than just a boys’ home!”

Certainly, giving needy boys a safe home with loving House Parents is still our primary focus.  But there is so much more to do!

In addition to residential care for boys, The Omaha Home for Boys also provides a number of other programs to help children and families grow.  These include:

• A transitional living program for young adults leaving a group home environment. 

• A residential program for adolescents with alcohol and dependency issues started in partnership with two other local charities.

• A separate, specialized program with counselors and psychologists for boys whose needs require a higher level of care.

• A training program for youth care workers offered in partnership with the University of Nebraska.

Last year The Omaha Home for Boys provided residential programs for 355 children, youth and young adults.  In addition, 67 parents received training and guidance on child rearing and 452 human service care workers were trained through our training programs.

The Omaha Home for Boys is a premier residential care facility for children and youth.  But, thanks to you, our dedicated friends and supporters, The Omaha Home for Boys will also continue to be much more than just a boys’ home! 

Thank you for caring so much.

John C. Furstenberg
President

Back to Table of Contents

HOME HAPPENINGS

BOYS “FIRED UP” ABOUT POTTERY  

    The boys are taking advantage of the Wurdeman Learning Center’s art room to practice their pottery skills.  Instructor Chad Crouch, who also teaches art at the local high school, says many of the boys are “naturals” at the pottery wheel.  Spencer, age 15, created a unique mask by hand in just one day! Another boy is working on a large bowl as a present for his mom on Mother’s Day.  Once their pottery is created, it’s fired in the kiln, then glaze is applied and will be fired at a higher temperature to bring out the colors. 

BOYS CREATE HANDMADE BOOKS FOR LITERACY FUNDRAISING AUCTION

 The Omaha Home for Boys was asked to participate in a fundraising event for a local literacy program.  Several boys volunteered to create handmade books for inclusion in the program’s dinner and auction event.  Peggy Jones, a volunteer with the literacy center, showed the boys how to create a unique “accordion page” book.  The boys had a great time and Austin, age 15, said, “I wanted to volunteer because I like helping people.” 

GUITARS AND BOYS  

John Housley is a guitar instructor from a local music store in Omaha, and enjoys taking time out of his busy schedule to teach the boys at the Home the finer points of the six string.  Caleb, age 15, and Chase, age 17 are working on their acoustic skills, while Josh, age 15, has “graduated” to an electric guitar.  Their musical interests range widely from rock & pop, to classical and jazz. 

ANIMAL PLANET STAR JEFF CORWIN MEETS BOYS  

The boys had the opportunity to meet Jeff Corwin at a breakfast sponsored in part by The Omaha Home for Boys.  Corwin is the current executive producer and host of “The Jeff Corwin Experience”, which premiered in the fall of 2000 and is among the top-rated shows for the Animal Planet network.

BINGO!  

House Parents Bob & Diana Rugg enjoy hosting “bingo night” at the Combs Cottage.  The game keeps the boys entertained, and everyone gets a prize!

Back to Table of Contents
 

COMMON SENSE PARENTING  

Raising kids is the most important responsibility a parent can have.  It can also be one of the most rewarding and one of the most frustrating!

For something this important parents get surprisingly little help.  No one would drive an automobile without training, but often parents have little background or preparation for the biggest responsibility of their lives.

To help fill this void, Parent Training was introduced about ten years ago at The Omaha Home for Boys.  The program became so successful for parents of the boys, the Home opened it up to the community and later began offering a Parent Support Group and Common Sense Parenting for Toddlers and Preschoolers.

“The best parenting is proactive, not reactive,” says Training Specialist Jim Weber. “But it can be hard to implement, and even harder to keep it up.”

The Home draws on its staff expertise and an established curriculum to help guide parents through the six-week course.  The program’s logical strategies and easy-to-learn techniques address issues of communication, discipline, decision-making, relationships, self-control and school success.

Jim says the Home is dedicated to reaching as many parents as possible by keeping the course affordable, and offering free babysitting.  “The $15 cost of the course covers the book the parents get to keep,” Jim noted.

After completing the course, parents are offered the opportunity to join the Home’s Parent Support Group.  They meet every other Tuesday evening, reinforcing what they’ve learned in the class, sharing ideas, frustration, tears and laughter together.

Parent Trainer/Consultant Shelli Meier says an average of seven to ten parents attend these meetings, but for one parent, the group has been more than just friendly support; it’s been a lifeline.

Mary and her husband Bill saw an ad in the newspaper for the parent training classes at the Home.  As parents of 11 and 13 year old boys, they thought the class might help them guide their boys through adolescence.

Mary and Bill completed the course, and Mary decided to take advantage of the Parent Support Group the Home had just implemented.  Only three months later, the unthinkable happened.  Bill had a fatal heart attack, leaving Mary to raise their boys alone. 

Mary says just having “someone to talk to” has been a tremendous blessing.  “The Parent Support Group has been a great sounding board.  I’m glad a group like this was here for me.”

The Home is committed to building stronger families for people like Mary.  Parent Training is just one more way we’re making a difference … one relationship at a time.

 Back to Table of Contents

JOURNEY TO SOBRIETY

Becki is an 18-year-old girl with a loving, caring family.  Her father is a physician.  She lives in a nice house in a nice neighborhood, and she is an alcoholic.

“I walked into treatment four and a half months ago an angry person.  I hated everyone and everything.  Today I ask myself, who was that girl?  When I finally admitted to myself and others that I had a problem, the walls slowly started falling down.  And so began my journey to sobriety.”

Alcoholism is tragic at any age, but it is particularly heartbreaking when it involves a youth. The Omaha Home for Boys, along with the Child Saving Institute and Catholic Charities, saw the need for substance abuse treatment specifically designed for adolescents.  Together, these organizations pooled their expertise and resources in 2003 to begin a treatment program called Journeys.

“Aftercare is what makes Journeys unique,” explains Program Director, Karen Scott. “The program is longer than most – four months of residential care, rather than just 30 days of in-patient treatment.  Most relapses occur in the first 90 days following treatment, so we are there with a safety net.  We also provide in-home family therapy and private counseling for as long as the patient feels they need it.”

For Becki, the program is much more than treatment – it was a journey towards self-discovery.  She wrote a farewell to the other youth in the program’s newsletter: “I am so thankful for Journeys.  This treatment center has given me more than I could have ever asked for.   My life has turned around and is now on the right track.  So I say goodbye to you all and wish to offer you some advice: open your hearts, and let in the people that really care.  Let God in because He will always be there for you, even in the hardest times.”

Back to Table of Contents

TRAINING INSTITUTE – REACHING OUT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE  

One of the greatest strengths of The Omaha Home for Boys is our dedication to providing the right people with the right tools to make a difference for families and youth.  The Home’s Training Institute reaches far into the surrounding community to help people enhance their skills as youth care providers.

In 1995, Nebraska’s Governor created a task force to investigate the rising adolescent crime rate. Their investigation found many of the state’s youth care workers were well meaning, but under-trained.

The Omaha Home for Boys took on the challenge and founded the Youth Service Workers Certificate Program in partnership with other non-profit youth organizations.  The programs are approved by the Training Institute Steering Committee and participants earn their certificate through the University of Nebraska - Omaha for continuing education credits.

This certification program has been so successful that it has prompted several local agencies to contract with the Home to perform all of their youth care providers’ training.  Sessions are offered regularly so that new staff as well as those needing re-certification can meet their educational needs.   The Training Institute keeps a database for each agency and sends reminders when staff is due for re-certification.

The Training Institute also offers education on mentoring, foster care, and residential childcare.  Angela Weis, Training Institute Manager, says she is excited about the new direction the Training Institute is taking with the development of a Supervisory Certification Program for youth service workers.  “It’s the next step for staff committed to the youth care profession.”

Caring for youth, reaching out to share our expertise, and strengthening relationships is what The Omaha Home for Boys is all about.
Back to Table of Contents

RETIREMENT INCOME YOU CAN DEPEND ON – ARE THE TIMES RIGHT FOR YOUR GIFT ANNUITY WITH THE HOME?   With all the ups and downs in the financial markets, many of our older friends are turning to The Omaha Home for Boys’ gift annuity program to create a steady, dependable stream of lifetime income. They like knowing that every quarter they will receive the same amount, year in and year out. They like the other benefits, too. Things like a good payment rate and income that is partially tax-free. They like the income tax charitable deduction they receive and, of course, the fact that they are helping the boys here at The Omaha Home for Boys. Example Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both 75 years old. They give $50,000 to The Omaha Home for Boys in exchange for a charitable gift annuity. The Home’s payment rate for their combined ages happens to be 6.5%, which means they will receive $3,250 every   year, or $812.50 every quarter. (Note: The rates will vary, depending on one’s age and whatever is currently being recommended by the American Council on Gift Annuities.) The Smiths will receive fixed payments for the rest of their lives. And even when one of them dies, the surviving spouse will continue to receive the same fixed payments for the rest of his or her life. Because the full assets of The Omaha Home for Boys back the payments, the Smiths can have confidence that their annuity checks will always be there for them.  You don’t have to be married to obtain a gift annuity. In fact, single-life annuities pay a higher rate. Also, the older a person or couple is, the higher the payment rate. Easy to Do To learn more, fill out the annuity portion of the reply slip that came with this newsletter (no gift is necessary) and drop it in the postage paid envelope. Once I know your age and the amount of the gift you want to make, and whether it will be cash or stock, I can prepare an easy-to-read gift illustration that will tell you: • How much you will receive for the rest of your life • How much of your quarterly income will be tax-free • How much your income tax charitable deduction will be • How your gift annuity will benefit The Omaha Home for Boys Why not take a moment to fill out and send in the annuity portion of the reply slip. This will allow me to provide a tailor-made illustration that will show you just how well a charitable gift annuity can work for you. Of course, you are under no obligation to proceed with a gift.  Thank you for caring! R. Todd Simpson, CFRE Director of Development

 Back to Table of Contents

REMEMBERING FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN OUR HERITAGE COURTYARD  

Over 1,600 friends of the Home are remembered with their names engraved on bricks placed in the Courtyard adjoining the Youth and Family Services building. The Courtyard is a restful place surrounded by beautiful perennial plantings and trees.

You can immortalize a name, message, birthday, etc. and leave a legacy for all time by placing a brick in our Heritage Courtyard.  Many people use the passing of a loved one as an opportunity to memorialize family members or friends, and at the same time remember The Omaha Home for Boys.

Engraved bricks are placed in the Heritage Courtyard for friends of the Home making gifts of $100 or more.

 Back to Table of Contents

GIFT ANNUITY RATE CHART
The following chart is based on a gift of $5,000:

OHB rates American Council Gift Annuity Rates as of July 1, 2003

Back to Table of Contents

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOME? If you have questions about the Home, would like to receive our financial statements, or we can help in any way, please call us at our toll free number 1-800-408-HOME.