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The Omaha Home for Boys...
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THE TWIG is a publication of :
The Omaha Home for Boys
4343 North 52nd Street
Omaha, NE 68104
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 Marsha Cussen 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.
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The OHB Video - "A Vision of Caring" |
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The Home's video, "A vision of Caring," is avaialable for viewing in your home of presenting before clubs or groups. If you would like to borrow a copy please let us know at 800/408/4663 and we will make sure you receive the tape. | ||||
FROM THE BOTTOM OF A MOTHER'S HEART
Pleasant" and "warm" are the words
Barb chooses to describe the relationship her family has with The
Omaha Home for Boys.
Barb talks openly about situations many people would prefer not to make public. "At first I was hesitant to tell people my son was here - now I don't hesitate to tell people where he's at," she says. "If they can't handle it then I know it's their problem to deal with. I've had my eyes opened to reality. I realize that I was trying to protect my son . . . never wanting him to feel hurt and at the same time making the situation worse. Then we came to the point of asking ourselves what can we do to change this."
The problems started two years prior to Brandon coming to the Home. He was showing a total disregard for authority, stealing from his parents and reflecting an I'll do what I want attitude. The legal system was not yet involved but the situation was worsening. He continued to blame others for his poor choices and manipulated situations and people.
As Barb talks about their first visit to the Home, a smile crosses
her face as her eyes fill with tears. Brandon came to the Home
two years ago,
the day after school was out. "I was devastated," she recalls. "I
thought 'Poor Brandon.' I felt pushed into placing him here. He was
so tense as we entered Scott Cottage." The smile broadens as she
remembers how quickly Brandon relaxed. "It was evident the Home's
main concern was for the boys."
Barb has good advice for other parents who are facing similar
situations with their children. She strongly recommends taking a
course on
parenting. She and her husband have taken the Effective Parenting
course offered by the Home. "There are many things I never knew that
I know now. We learned positive ways of dealing with negative actions
and how to discipline in a loving, caring way." Barb also encourages
parents to keep an open line of communication, be involved with their
kids, know who their friends are and be a good example to them.
Barb is encouraged by the progress she is seeing in her son. She
and her husband work together with House Parents Bob and
Diane Rugg and
consultant Becky White to determine a successful program for Brandon.
Barb speaks for many when she shares her thoughts on the people like you who have made The Omaha Home for Boys possible. "I thank God that He put it on the hearts of people to do this. I cannot imagine . . . it scares me to think where he'd be and what the situation would be if he couldn't be here."
On behalf of Barb and all the other mothers, fathers and friends of the boys who call our Home their home, thank you, from the bottom of a mother's heart.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
SPEAKING PERSONALLY
Let's take a moment to talk about . . .
Helping Others by Giving
Winston Chuchill said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." That is quite a profound statement, and I believe it is 100 percent accurate!
Remember the last time you helped someone? Why did you help them? How did it make you feel?
I have to be honest; when I help someone else I am really helping myself. When I help someone in need I feel good about myself. Treating others as you would want to be treated is an extremely important value. And helping others is a value we are teaching here at The Omaha Home for Boys.
Why does the Home feel that helping others is such an important value? I guess it all comes down to caring. Caring about others. Caring about the less fortunate. And about the needy. At the Home we feel that a young person who understands how to help others and care about others will grow into a better parent … a better neighbor … a better person.
That's why I am so proud when our boys give a special gift or volunteer for a project. A couple of years ago when an ice storm hit Omaha, our boys were out in the neighborhood clearing branches and broken trees from our elderly neighbors' yards. Last fall when the Red Cross Bloodmobile came to campus, six of the boys gave blood. And last semester a number of youngsters from the neighborhood were tutored in reading, writing and math by several of our older boys.
But helping others is not always easy. I honestly believe that most people want to help others, but they just do not know how. They may be embarrassed or afraid they will offend the person they are trying to help. Some people are just uncomfortable saying, "Friend, what can I do to help?"
Teaching our boys how to help others - and why to help others - is one of the single most important values we can give to the next generation. After all, the world will be what they make of it. Don't you agree?
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Thank you for helping to make this Christmas extra special. The boys loved reading the notes you sent. Here are just a few of the special messages they received. Always follow your heart - you were born to contribute your own unique gifts to the world. … We're so glad you're here! - Barbara & Arthur Merry Christmas. Sometimes when you find yourself on the lower rung, don't be afraid to look above because there is always someone offering you a hand up. Don't be ashamed to take that hand because someday you'll be the one offering that hand to another. - Keith Remember to do something for someone else every day. - Jennie (she's 101 years young!) We wish each of you: a hand to hold, a tree to climb, legs that run fast and free, a tender heart, safety and warmth, laughter often, and most importantly, love and peace. - Steph & Family Thank you for taking time to remember the youth at The Omaha Home for Boys during your busy holiday season. It was such a blessing! |
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Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
Doing It Right . . . Every Day
Kevin Orr, Director of Youth Services, becomes excited as he discusses the Home's daily teaching model focused on family values. This model, the National Family Home Program, originated more than 30 years ago at the University of Kansas.
"This program has undergone many revisions, all based on a huge amount of research," said Kevin. "The strength of this model is through a positive interaction teaching and motivation system. We know from research that today's youth are most impacted by the people they spend the most time with. In the case of The Omaha Home for Boys, these are our House Parent couples."
Jim Weber, a former high school teacher with a quick smile and an
obvious love for people, was recently hired as the Home's
Training Specialist. His real passion -
young people and helping them succeed - comes through as he describes
the Pre-Service Training at the Home.
The following are some excerpts from our interview with Jim.
Why House Parent training?
"Our House Parents come from all over the nation. Each assumes different things about life, etc. in the Midwest. The training is reviewed and evaluated in an ongoing process. We try to meet the concerns and needs that are brought to our attention.
"We (the Home) are a small community but have numerous teachers for the boys. Through the House Parent training we are able to bring in teachers who are professionals and best suited to instruct in certain areas. We are also able to address issues that we see need to be addressed, before they become problems."
What trends, nationally, do you feel directly relate to what we are experiencing at the Home?
"From what we see and read in the news, schools around the country are dealing with a multitude of problems. It's not the aggressive kids always causing the problems, but the passive ones. Due to their passive behaviors they have not been dealt with before the problems occur."
"At the Home we are trained to observe and deal with these traits, hopefully stopping any serious problems before they happen. The self-government that the Home enforces is a big deterrent to some of the prevalent issues."
"There was a time when low-income parents felt guilty because they felt responsible, due to economic status, for what the kids were doing. The kids exhibiting serious behavior problems are no longer primarily low income. There are a lot of kids from good neighborhoods and well-off homes getting into trouble. I feel the problem at most levels is communication. Whether parents are working or not, they need to communicate with their youth. We also need to remember to praise the small steps we see. Everybody knows praise is good - and that it works - we just don't realize how important it is to do on a regular basis and for small steps of progress along the way."
What are the elements that you feel are most important to this program?
"All of the elements act as a ladder, one leading to the other. I feel effective praise, principles of behaviors, observing and describing out-of-control behavior are extremely important in gearing for success."
How is Omaha Home for Boys preparing to help other group homes?
"It's hard, as a trainer, to say there is no better program, but we have seen proof of the success that comes when the program is adapted and followed."
"When we're asked for help from another home or agency, we go in full force. There have been several replications of this program that we've been involved with, including Texas, Florida, central Nebraska and others."
"I believe the need is growing and the need for outreach is growing also. Through the accreditation process of the Council of Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, we have become a more powerful and committed agency. We have seen a real interest in our Effective Parenting program that complements our House Parent Training. We encourage every parent who has a boy at the Home to take the training.
"I think we've just touched on the need. There is more than we know of at this point."
What is different about The Omaha Home for Boys from other group homes?
"Most important is the foundation of people who believe that what they're doing is right and that it works."
Thanks to faithful donor support and a committed staff, such as Jim, the Home is paving the way for a brighter tomorrow for youth and families.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
House Parents'
Corner
You Can Really Make a Difference . . .
You'll love it here . . . you can really make a difference." That's what Scott Frerking's childhood friend Dave Teague told him. Dave, who works in The Omaha Home for Boys' Youth & Family Services Department, called Scott when a House Parent position opened up in June 1998.
Scott was youth pastor and basketball coach and Winter,
his wife, was working in a day care for infants in Texas when Dave
called. The Frerkings traveled to Omaha, toured the campus, met the
staff and some of the boys, and made up their minds. "The decision
was easy," says Winter, "We both knew the Home was the right place
for us at this time in our lives."
Scott and Winter came to OHB with a wide variety of experiences. Scott grew up in San Marcos, Texas, and Winter hails from Wasilla, Alaska. The two met in Hawaii in 1994. Winter was in training for overseas missionary work. Scott was her trainer. After her first assignment, Winter joined the mission's professional staff and led missionary groups to Australia and India. Scott has led missions to more than 20 countries. He even spent a few hours in a Chinese jail for passing out Bibles at Tiananmen Square.
"I knew right away we were sole mates," laughs Scott, "but I had to convince Winter!" After marrying in 1996, the two relocated to Texas. Not long after, Dave Teague called about the House Parent position.
Even though the House Parent job is challenging, Scott and Winter love it. Scott explains, "I really enjoy working with kids who have had some hard knocks . . . the impact you can have is so much greater! I love working with a boy and seeing the little things - like saying 'please' and 'thank you' - grow into big accomplishments."
When talking about accomplishments, the impact the Frerkings are
making becomes very apparent. Since joining OHB last
year, the Frerkings have worked with more than 60 boys. They both
smile when they talk about Jason, a youth who came to the Home
"knowing it all" and not needing anybody's help, and who today shares
his fears and emotions with them freely. Or William, who was kicked
out of school before he came to the Home and now receives excellent
school notes from all his teachers.
But a few months ago the Frerkings were considering leaving the Home. Scott had an offer to teach in Texas. They struggled with their decision, and at the last second decided to stay at the Home. "There were a number of signs telling us to stay," says Winter, "and when we made the decision we both knew it was the best choice we could have made."
When asked what they would say to someone considering the House Parent position, Scott smiles and notes that they should "make sure they can work together 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
The Frerkings are not sure how long they will serve as House Parents at OHB. Scott has one year left to complete his master's degree. And afterwards they both want to begin a family.
But for now, their passion is for helping youth in need. And they are doing that every single day!
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
One common link among the diverse staff at The Omaha Home for Boys is the boys. Doing what is best for the youth at the Home is everyone's primary goal. Bill Auxier, director of Recreation, shares his passion for youth as he describes the efforts of the Rec Center to allow the youth a place to grow, share and experience life. Bill tells about Steve, a youth who caught his attention.
Steve had no intention of playing basketball. He had "been
there and done that." The experience had been less than enjoyable. He
wasn't an athlete.
Why did he even have to be home that night for the informational and sign-up meeting? He would have much preferred to be at the computer lab or in front of the television. But, like lots of other things at The Omaha Home for Boys, the meeting was required.
Steve, a very polite, likable young man, was present for the meeting. He listened attentively and declined the invitation to participate. Thanks, but no thanks.
All was fine in Steve's world. His comfort zone was intact. But what happened next was new to Steve.
It had always been easy to decline athletic events. He just never
felt like he was good enough. In fact, Steve always felt he was
just plain bad. But a little pressure and a little "deal
making" ended with Steve agreeing to try just one night, with the
understanding that he could "retire" after that first game if he
didn't enjoy himself.
Well, Steve did enjoy himself. He not only finished that one game but committed to the remainder of the season and proceeded to sign up for volleyball, flag football and then basketball again!
Athletics, OHB style, happen most every Monday evening at the Home. OHB style means many things. Most of all it means FUN! Emphasis is not on winning and losing but on fun, teamwork and learning-in that order.
Too often today young people suffer negative experiences involving athletics. Many well-known leagues or city sponsored events are geared to the "select" teams or the "all-star" team. In comparison, OHB intramurals might be considered a remedial athletic program in that participants are provided an opportunity to simply enjoy themselves in an athletic event.
Steve's is not a unique case at OHB. On many occasions the positive experience in OHB intramurals has given a young man the confidence to go on and participate in his school's intramural program, or try out for his school's athletic teams. It is not important whether or not he makes the team, though many boys do. What really matters is that he feels confident enough to try.
Steve won't play in the NBA. He won't play in college or even on his high school team. But he sure is a terrific young man. His only concern when asked for permission to tell his story was that his mother, who has moved to Oregon, gets a copy of this newsletter. He wanted to surprise her. Well, Mom, this one's for you! Thanks for making Steve a huge part of our team.
It is not important whether or not he makes the team, though many boys do. What really matters is that he feels confident enough to try.
Return to January 2000 Twig Table of Contents
PLANNED GIVING
DEPARTMENT
Planning for the Future
Happy New Year! And greetings from The Omaha Home for
Boys. A new year always brings a sense of new beginnings and new
opportunities. In 1995, when I joined the Home as Director of
Development, it was a new beginning for me. My wife and I had just
begun our family with the birth of our first child. But before long,
we realized we were part of a much bigger family here at The Omaha
Home for Boys.
Every day I work with friends and donors like you to make a difference in the lives of children. And every day I am proud to see the lives we are changing.
I want to thank you for your care and dedication to youth. And I want you to know that you are truly making a difference in the lives of these boys.
One way a recent widow and long-time supporter of the Home made a difference was to support the boys and honor her deceased husband in a special way. She had already included the Home as a beneficiary of her husband's funeral memorials, but she wanted to do something more for him.
We discussed whether there were any assets that she no longer needed, such as paid-up life insurance policies, commercial annuities or appreciated stock.
After discussing these ideas, we realized that she had two paid-up life insurance policies that she no longer needed. She met with her insurance agent and simply transferred the policies to the Home-she also could have simply changed the beneficiary to the Home. Either way, the Home will benefit upon her death and all proceeds will be dedicated to her husband's honor. By transferring ownership of the policies, she also received a charitable income tax deduction.
This allowed a combined memorial from her husband's funeral with "cash" from one of the life insurance policies and created an endowment fund in her husband's memory. This is a win-win strategy. The widow wins due to the satisfaction of doing something in memory of her husband and receiving an income tax deduction for both insurance policies, and the Home wins because of an immediate gift plus a deferred gift to create an endowment.
If you have any questions regarding The Omaha Home for Boys or would like information on gifting assets for the Home, please feel free to call me.
Thank you, and God bless.
Income for Life for You Benefit for Future Generations
A charitable gift annuity is an extraordinary way to make a gift, increase your income and slice your tax bill-all in one transaction! Our charitable gift annuity program was created as a service to our many friends who have expressed a desire to make a gift of significance while still retaining income from the gift property during their lives.
A charitable gift annuity is a contract in which you exchange a gift of cash or securities for a guaranteed, fixed income each year for the rest of your life. Your gift annuity offers five distinct advantages.
Income for Life: at attractive payout rates for one or two lives
Tax Deduction Savings: a large part of what you transfer is a deductible charitable gift
Tax-Free Income: a large part of your annual payments are tax-free return of principal
Capital Gains Tax Savings: when you contribute securities for a gift annuity, you minimize any taxes on your "paper profit"
Personal Satisfaction: from making a gift of lasting significance
You can choose how payments will be made (quarterly, semiannually, annually); one life or two life annuities; and cash or securities to fund your gift. Cash allows maximum tax-free income; gifts of securities allow you to minimize capital gains taxes.
GIFT ANNUITY RATE CHART
FOR 2000
The following chart is based on a
gift of $5,000:
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Age |
Annual Return |
Charitable Deduction |
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65 |
7.0% - $350 |
$1,940 |
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70 |
7.5% - $375 |
$2,105 |
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75 |
8.2% - $410 |
$2,275 |
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80 |
9.2% - $460 |
$2,475 |
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85 |
10.5% - $525 |
$2,730 |
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90 |
12.0% - $600 |
$2,955 |
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American Council Gift Annuity Rates as of July 1, 1999
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.
