The Omaha Home for Boys...

2001 January Twig Newsletter

A Young Boy with Big Challenges Jacobs' Place: Making the Transition President's Column -- Let's discuss Longevity Alan Berk ... A Lifetime of Service

OHB ... 80 YEars of Helping Others Planned Giving Department Annuity Rates

  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.

	The OHB Video - "A Vision of Caring"
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.

A Young Boy with Big Challenges

When asked, "What would you like to be when you grow up?" Philip's eyes sparkled and with a big smile he responded, "I would like to be a video game tester, hockey player, race car driver, a technician or anything that has to do with athletics."

Philip is 10 years old and is the youngest boy on campus. When he first came to the Home he was a little scared. Being in a new place for the first time, he kept "hearing noises" and was very restless.

He was born in Seattle but left when he was three years old. He doesn't talk much about what brought him to the Home, but he says, "Before coming to the Home, I usually 'mouthed off' and didn't do as I was told."

Like all boys living at the Home, Philip attends public school. He is currently a fifth grader at Fontenelle Elementary School, where he enjoys math and physical education. He says that school can sometimes be really challenging, and like most kids thinks the teachers hand out too much homework.

Philip has been at The Omaha Home for Boys for just over a month and is already comfortable with the rules and how privileges are earned. He enjoys utilizing the different facilities on campus, in particular the Recreation Center, where he enjoys basketball, arts and crafts and foosball with his peers. Using the library is another plus for him. He also enjoys the computer time he gets in his Cottage.

His House Parents, Paul and Sherri Vandenberg, say Philip is a very intelligent young man. The easy flow of conversation between Paul, Sherri and Philip shows that already they are comfortable with one another and the progress that is being made. According to Paul and Sherri, "Philip loves to probe for information. He's a hard worker and his teachers are excited about the progress he is making in school." Paul and Sherri are very consistent with him, making it easier for Philip to understand what is expected. From the smiles they share it's easy to see why the threesome have hit it off so well.

Philip is a young boy with big challenges. As he faces those challeges growing up The Omaha Home for Boys will be there along the way to help guide him as he makes important life choices. Right now a couple of his goals are graduating from high school and college. Philip also wants to create and/or build better transportation systems for the future. Solid goals . . . solid challenges, but with the sparkle in his eyes, nothing is impossible!

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Jacobs' Place: Making the Transition

You may know that The Omaha Home for Boys is a place for boys and families to grow, develop and gain a second chance, but did you know that the Home sponsors other programs? One of those programs is Jacobs' Place, a Transitional Living program for young men and women ages 17-22 who have no family support.

Angie walked into Jacobs' Place with two things: a dream of someday becoming a nurse and a lot of questions. The dream was just that-a dream that didn't seem like it could ever come true. And the questions were hard to put into words because they were "how" questions. How do I handle tense work situations? How do I enroll in college? How do I learn about money management? How do I show respect for myself? And Angie was alone, with no family to help encourage her.

Have you ever felt like Angie? Have you ever had a dream that you wanted to come true, but you had no idea how to make that dream a reality? Have you ever wondered how to act in a certain situation? I have. But I was lucky. I had someone to talk with, to show me how to act and to teach me basic life skills. Angie has no one to ask for help, no family support, no one to look up to, and no one who's able to guide her. So Angie has come to Jacobs' Place.

The purpose of the Transitional Living Program is to train youth how to live independently. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Pat Jacobs, our desire to provide the missing link between the freedom of adolescence and the responsibilities of adulthood has now become a reality. Jacobs' Place is far enough from the main campus to force the residents to develop but close enough to foster the support of OHB resources. Transitional Living is run by a dedicated staff of full and part-time men and women under the direction of Eric Klooz.

At Jacobs' Place, Angie will have a chance to ask the questions that she's always wanted to ask someone, and she'll have the opportunity to make her dream of being a nurse a reality.

It Was Great . . . But I'm Glad to be Out!

Mike Curtis is pretty happy today-and a little scared too. He was just given a big promotion at work and he is not sure that he will meet all the expectations put on him. What Mike does know is that the years he spent here at the Home will help him succeed as one of Albertson's Food and Drug's youngest grocery managers.

Mike lived at The Omaha Home for Boys from 1982 to 1992, and then lived at the Home's Transitional Living facility. During this time, life was relatively normal for Mike. He went on trips, played intramural sports, and got into a little trouble now and again.

Mike says he's glad to be out of the Home, but not because he hated it. He's happy to be out because he took advantage of what the Home had to offer. As one of the first participants in the Transitional Living Program, Mike is thankful for the help he received in facing life's realities. For more information about Jacobs' Place, call Eric Klooz at 402-558-0366.

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Speaking Personally Let's take a moment to discuss ...Longevity

 Have you seen those advertisements with that bunny that kept going … and going … and going? What a great way to demonstrate longevity, staying power.

The Omaha Home for Boys is like that bunny: we keep going and going too. And we have staying power,-the staying power to change young lives.

Last year marked the Home's 80th anniversary. Eighty years of helping others. Eighty years of making a difference. The Home has been here through the stock market crash, the Great Depression, the Second World War and more. The Home has seen a cold war start and end, the breakup of the Soviet Union and a man walk on the moon.

Through it all-from radio to television to cyberspace-

the Home has changed lives … rebuilt lives … saved lives.

The Home's longevity-our staying power-can be attributed to one thing: people. People like Alan Berk, the Home's Education Coordinator, who retired last October after 40 years with the Home. Or people like Dick and Barb Mathiesen, who retired after serving 25 years with the Home as House Parents. Or people like Steven from Pennsylvania who has been a dedicated supporter of the Home for more than 30 years!

And our staying power can be attributed to you, a friend and donor to the Home. With your help, the Home will have the staying power to change young lives for another 80 years … and another 80 … and another … and another …

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Alan Berk: A Lifetime of Service

To some people 40 years at one job would seem like a lifetime. Alan Berk describes his 40 years working for The Omaha Home for Boys as a way of life. While working at the Home he's seen it all, and then some.

To this quiet, unassuming man, this career path was a true blessing. Alan loves to fish and enjoys being outdoors. He's shared that love, and the life lessons he's learned, with many boys throughout the years. Just as patience and quiet fortitude will help you catch a fish, those qualities helped him win a special place in the hearts of many.

With a smile on his face and looking away to avoid the inevitable tears, Alan said good-bye to the Home he's loved. His retirement reception had tears, laughter, stories of the past and anticipation of the future.

You didn't have to look too far to see evidence of the lives Alan impacted Ken, one of the first boys Alan worked with at the Home in 1961, returned to the Home for the first time since he'd left just to say "thank you to a man who meant so much."

Ron, a resident from 1970 until his graduation in 1981, shared how much it meant to him to have Alan attend his high school functions, beaming as a proud "parent" and encouraging him in life. Ron's wife and children sat close by and listened proudly as their husband and father shared a tender moment of lessons learned and love shared.

In a note to Kevin Orr, former resident of the Home and currently the Director of Youth & Family Services, Alan wrote, "I guess you were about eight years old when we first met and now you are pushing 50. I have had the privilege of watching you grow, mature and position yourself to help other young men."

Forty years-only years to some, but a lifetime of caring and love to others. Alan, The Omaha Home for Boys says "thank you!" Thank you for sharing your life with so many. Your service to the Home was a true blessing to all who knew you.

A Testimony to Alan

Over the years, Alan Berk touched my life in a number of ways. I came to live at OHB in January 1989. My stay at the Home lasted three and a half years. During my years at the Home, Mr. Berk took me under his wing. I recall on several occasions being suspended from school and spending that time in the Learning Center on campus. While I was at the Learning Center, I remember Mr. Berk giving me words of encouragement and counseling me about the necessity of a good education. Mr. Berk would question me and say, "What are you going to do without an education?" To a certain extent, education was a key to a bright future for me. It was a gateway to success.

In August 1992, I left OHB at the age of 16. Before I left, Mr. Berk came to me and said, "You graduate from high school." In his mind, he knew that finishing high school was a big challenge for me. I followed his statement with one of my own: "Not only am I going to finish high school, but I am going to do so with good grades!"

In January 1994 I graduated from Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, Illinois. Not only did I get my high school diploma, but I did so in only three and a half years. Later that year I decided I would try college. I was unsure as to whether or not I could do it, but I wanted to try. Three years of hard work really paid off. In August 1997 I graduated from Harper Community College with an Associate Degree.

After completing my AA degree, I made a visit to OHB. While I was there, I spent my time with Mr. Berk. He told me numerous times how proud he was of me. Before leaving, Mr. Berk said something to me which I could not believe. He reminded me of a conversation we had five years prior. He said, "I knew you were going to graduate high school, because you gave me your word that you would finish." That meant so much to me. It made it all worthwhile. This was a person who really cared about me, a person who was personally concerned with me and my life.

In August 1999 I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology. There were many struggles along the way, but it was the loyalty of a man in Nebraska that made this a reality for me.

Mr. Berk has been a blessing in my life over the years and I'll be sad to see him go. He genuinely cared for the youth he worked with. He is a man whose work often went unnoticed. I would like to extend my appreciation to Alan Berk and say, "Well done! You have truly touched my life."

-Jeff, former resident

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The Omaha Home for Boys Celebrating 80 Years of Helping Others!A Scrap Book History

Happy Birthday!
The Governor of Nebraska, Mike Johanns (left), helped celebrate the Home's 80th birthday in style! The boys, staff and members of the Board met at the Strategic Air Command Museum for cake and fun-complete with a paper airplane contest.
Paper Galore! The paper airplane contest was a sight to see!

		Alumni Reunion
			The 80th anniversary included a sixth Nationwide Alumni Reunion. Alumni, former and current staff and friends joined together for a great time of celebration.   Alumni enjoy the Visitor's Center. "That can't be me . . . that's you!"

Breakfast with James Earl Jones
The Omaha Home for Boys partnered with the University of Nebraska-Omaha to bring James Earl Jones to town. Mr. Jones spoke to more than 1,400 guests at UNO's ABC Breakfast. A day many will remember for a lifetime-what a treat!
		Recreation Center Dedication
The 4-H Club The 4-H group, under the leadership of Mike Pallas, Kelly Armbrust and Chad Meador, showed their projects at several fairs and won many awards, including Champion: Market Beef, Three Market Beef, Rate of Gain Market Beef, Three Feeder Calves, Feeder Calf, Market Lamb, Two Market Lambs and Reserve Champion Commercial Breeding Heifer. Congrats!

	Dining Room Dedication
Omaha’s Mayor Hal Daub, Home President John Furstenberg and others dedicate the new Kitchen/Dining Hall.

What a year! Can't wait to see what happens in 2001! ...

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"Keep Helping the Kids"

I sat down with Bill yesterday. He is a long-time friend and supporter of the Home. Bill is more than a contributor; he is also a volunteer who works tirelessly as a good will ambassador, making friends and donors out of people he meets in everyday life.

Bill is also in the fight of his life. He is fighting cancer. Right now it is a stalemate . . . but it could go either way. And even though he has a full plate, he is still working to meet friends and make donors for The Omaha Home for Boys.

As sad as Bill's situation is, I'm smiling as I write this to you,- smiling because I am thankful I had the chance to work so closely with Bill. Smiling because I know he is still doing what he wants by helping children and youth. Smiling because he was smiling yesterday as we talked about the Home.

You just do not find someone like Bill every day.

And that is the kind of caring friend and dedicated supporter that has enabled The Omaha Home for Boys to help children and families in need for more than 80 years.

I have often asked myself, "How can we show our appreciation to our friends and donors? How can we let them know just how much they really mean to the Home . . . the boys?"

In the final analysis, it comes down to something Bill said yesterday. "Just keep helping the kids-that's all the thanks I want."

Just keep helping the kids. Thanks to Bill, and you, the Home will keep helping the kids. And thanks to Bill, and you, that help will change their lives for the better.

I hope 2001 will be a wonderful year for you and yours. With your help, it will be a wonderful year for the boys here at The Omaha Home for Boys.

Please feel free to call me, (800) 408-4663, if you have any questions about the Home. Thank you.

You Can Benefit from the Appreciated Gift

Everyone is taking note of the stock market and, consequently, taking stock of their financial affairs. While a few of us have seen our assets grow substantially through stocks, many of us have stocks that have appreciated over time. Since we purchased some of our stock long ago, we may be surprised at the significant value it now has. This is a nice bonus for us.

When you sell a stock that has appreciated over time, you must pay capital gains taxes on the difference between what you initially paid for it and the current fair market value. This can significantly reduce your gains.

Most of us make gifts directly to charities we support on an annual basis. One way to make such a gift is through a gift of stock. Let's say you paid $250 for stock that is now worth $1,000. If you gift those shares of stock to The Omaha Home for Boys, you can claim a $1,000 tax deduction. Some people are doing this in lieu of their annual direct mail gift. The IRS allows you to use the paper profits that you have made by transferring stock to charities.

For example, Susan and John Peterson purchased 100 shares of XYZ Corporation 15 years ago at a cost of $2,000. Today the shares are worth $5,000 but only generate 2 percent in annual dividend payments. If the Petersons sold the stock, they would realize a $3,000 capital gain. Because they have held the securities long-term (for more than one year), they would owe as much as $600 (20 percent) in federal capital gains taxes on the sale. More would be due in state taxes as well.

Should the Petersons give away $5,000 in cash, they would be able to claim it on their tax return and receive a tax deduction of $1,980 (depending upon their tax rate). If they gave away the stock instead, they would receive the same tax deduction plus save approximately $600 in capital gains taxes. Their total tax savings, then, would be $2,580.

You are advised to think about the assets you have and how you can best use them. For more information about charitable giving, contact your estate planning professional or Todd Simpson at (800) 408-4663.

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GIFT ANNUITY RATE CHART FOR 2000
The following chart is based on a gift of $5,000:

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.

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