The Home was started in 1920 by several members of the Masonic Craft in the Omaha area.

2. How is the Home operated and supported?

Policies are set by our volunteer 30 member Board of Directors and put into effect by our full time staff.

Funding for our programs is provided by donations from friends all across the nation. Direct mail appeals have been the primary source of our funding since 1952.

Half our annual income comes from an endowment fund, built by bequests to the Home, and investment income.

In addition each fall a local fund drive is conducted by members of the Omaha area Masonic Lodges.

3. How many boys are there and what are their ages?

We have a current capacity of 64 boys at our main campus, an additional 26 boys at our  Cooper Village facility (a residential psychiatric treatment home), and 14 young people (both male and female) through our Transitional Living program.

Boys at the Home and Cooper Village must be of school age, five years through high school. Transitional Living residents are either entering the job market or attending college and between 19 and 22 years of age.

4. What kinds of boys do you have at the Home?

We have boys of all racial and religious backgrounds, from all over the country, although most come from the Midwest.

Our main concern when considering a boys for admission is "Are we capable of meeting his needs?"

5. Who is responsible for placing boys in the Home?

Most often a parent or relative has determined that a boy would be better off living at The Omaha Home for Boys rather than in their current situation at the family's home.

In about 1/3 of the cases a youth is placed with us by a court system or social service agency.

6. What are the living arrangements like?

A family arrangement is maintained in each cottage. The cottage family is headed by a married couple who serve as the primary providers for the boys' daily needs.

They are responsible for the majority of basic behavioral, disciplinary and living skills that are taught to each boy based on the National Family Home Program.

7. What determines how long a boy stays?

A minimum of one year is recommended to complete our program. Many boys then leave to return to their own family, and some remain with us through high school.

Of course a child who has been placed by his parents may leave at any time at their request.

8. Where do the boys go to school?

All of our residents attend public schools near the Home. There is a grade school, junior high and high school within easy walking distance.

We also have tutors available in our Wurdeman Learning Education Center for boys needing extra help with their school work.

9. Do the boys attend church or is there a chapel on the campus?

Each of the boys attends the church and Sunday school of his own faith -- each week. While we do not have a chapel on campus, prayers are spoken at every meal and devotions are given each evening.

10. What type of facilities are on the campus?

On our main campus we have seven residential cottages; a Learning Center with a library, computer lab art center and classrooms for several tutors; a Recreation Center with a gymnasium, swimming pool, weight and game room, wood shop, as well as a tennis court, racquetball court and a baseball diamond.

At our Cooper Farm 4-H facility we maintain a Picnic Pavilion which is open to the public during the spring and summer months and the Watson 4-H Building that provides 4-H involvement for any boy at the Home and various other youth groups.

11. What happens when a boy completes high school?

Some boys join the work force, some enter the military ... but more and more of our recent graduates enter college on scholarship assistance from the Home.

In addition, boys with no family support system are eligible to enter the Home's Transitional Living program -- a residential program designed to make the transition from group living to independent living more successful. Residents live in an apartment environment, paying nominal rent and are involved in daily life skills training like job searching, personal budgeting, buying a car, filing taxes, personal grooming and kitchen upkeep.

If you have additional questions, please contact us.