A Bright Future

Recognizing that education is critical to long-term success, The Omaha Home for Boys implies a substantial and continuing commitment to providing the best possible education opportunity.

The need for a new updated Learning Center was realized as a growing number of youth having significant academic difficulties at the time of admission were seen.

In addition, other resources include: a more comprehensive evaluation, planning, implementation and integration of educational programming; enhanced communication and collaboration among Learning Center staff, House Parents, and Omaha Public School personnel in addition to behavioral training to aid in academic success.

With many programs overlapped beyond capacity, the Home began to explore ways to better use resources and collaborate with other agencies to meet the vast needs of today and the predicted future.

The Omaha Home for Boys realizes that the commitment to education as a foundation for success will also prove as an invaluable resource in creating a greater impact off-campus.

Understanding that abilities not used are abilities wasted, the Board of Directors began to work on meeting the needs and dreams for the present and future.

The Need

• While statistics show that youth violence is decreasing, the U.S. still has the highest youth homicide and suicide rate among the 26 wealthiest nations.
• Nearly a quarter of teens reported in the "State of Our Nations Youth" survey that school violence is caused by parents spending too little time with their children.
• Young African-American students say they lack programming after school and in the evening to keep them out of trouble.
• Every 1 hour 40 minutes, a person under the age of 25 commits suicide; 60 percent of high school students report having suicidal ideas.
• Minors were able to purchase liquor in 101 of 299 licensed outlets (34%) across the Omaha Metropolitan area in a compliance check conducted by law enforcement agencies in March of 2001.

The Home's Response

The recognized need for changes and improvements in the existing educational facilities and procedures at the Home provide a unique opportunity to move forward with a progressive and comprehensive approach to educational issues both on campus and off.

Programs offered at the Learning Center will include:

• Tutoring. Tutors will provide assistance with homework after school and evenings. The Tutors are certified teachers, all of whom hold regular positions at outside school districts.
• Campus Classroom. The majority of the youth attend public schools. The Campus Classroom provides individualized educational services for youth who are in the process of being admitted to Omaha Public Schools. It is staffed by a full-time certified teacher.
• Library. In addition to assisting youth with homework and research projects, the librarian maintains the book collection and catalog, orders and distributes school supplies.
• Computer Lab. The computer lab is available to youth to aid in research and homework related issues.
• Academic Enrichment. This program provides assistance with basic educational skills, primarily reading and language. Services are provided by volunteers.
• Wellness for Life. A weekly program intended to meet the needs of youth 16 years of age and under. The program focuses on interpersonal and social skills and information about relationships, personal growth and development, and sex education.
• Independent Living. The curriculum emphasizes practical life skills including money management, career development, and job skills.
• Tobacco Free Teens. Offered weekly this structured program, developed by the American Lung Association, focuses on smoking cessation.

And much, much more!