Community Resource Guide. Special Thanks. Togethers Community Resource Guides are made in collaboration with partners in our community.

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1 Community Resource Guide Housing, Legal, and Victims Assistance Special Thanks Togethers Community Resource Guides are made in collaboration with partners in our community. We apologize if your organization is not listed in the printing of this guide. If you would like to be listed, please contact us via . Bringing Together our community to assist people in need with Hope, Dignity and Compassion

2 Together is the First Stop for People in Need. Together is focused on the prevention of homelessness in our community. This year we will offer hope, dignity and compassion with over 43,000 services in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties. Notes Together provides free resources including food, clothing, furniture and financial assistance for basic human needs. Together collaborates with numerous agencies in our community. This allows us to expand our reach by providing additional education and services to the people with the most need. We are unique in that we are able provide all of these services within one organization. Our services are free of charge - not only to those individuals and families who utilize them, but also to our partner pantries and agencies. The Together Community Resource Guides are a reference for you. We hope it is helpful to you and others facing life s most challenging experiences. Together Community Resource Guides Career and Education Clothing and Food Pantries Health and Wellness Housing, Legal and Victims Transportation For more information, contact: Client Together Monday: 9am 1pm 1616 Cass Street Tuesday: 9am 7pm Omaha, NE Wednesday: 9am 1pm (402) Thursday: 9am 1pm CLOSED Friday Together is closed when Omaha Public Schools are closed because of weather. Last Updated April 2012

3 Victim Assistance (VINE Program) - Omaha Police Department Getting timely and complete information can help the ongoing fear and concerns for the safety of victims of crime. Information about the location of an offender involved plays a large part in both the physical and mental well being of victims. The Omaha Police Department is participating in a statewide victim notification system that will let victims receive information about the inmate s status. The system is called Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE). VINE provides all victims of crime and others, continuous access to vital inmate information over the telephone. By calling a toll free number a crime victim, or anyone, can determine current status of a person or register to be automatically notified of the release, transfer or escape of an inmate. VINE will monitor the custody status of adult inmates in all county jails and state prisons in Nebraska. Updated information is available 24 hours a day. VINE is available in English and Spanish and supported by 24-hour operator assistance. Omaha Police Department 505 South 15th Street Omaha, NE /1-877-NE-4-VINE VINE provides updated information 24 hours a day. WCA of Omaha Provides a 24-hour hotline for sexual assault and domestic violence referrals. Provides safety planning and advocacy for safety planning, protection orders, transportation, housing, shelter referrals, and some financial assistance for victims fleeing abuse. YWCA Omaha 222 S. 29th Street Omaha, NE Main phone: Women Against Violence 24-Hour Hotline: YMCA provides a 24 hour hotline. Although these organizations provide services, there is not always the appropriate funding available. Therefore, it is strongly advised to contact each organization to verify they have adequate resources to assist you with your needs. Housing Services Douglas County Housing Authority Assisting lower-income family, elderly, and disabled residents with their housing needs as clients are trying to achieve self sufficiency or independent living N. 107th Plaza Omaha, NE Contact: (402) Mon Fri 830 to Programs: CROWN The Douglas County Housing Authority is taking applications for a housing program that will provide the participants an opportunity to become home owners. The CROWN Program is a credit to own program where the participants rent a house during an established period while developing home ownership skills and building an escrow to use for purchasing a home at the end of the participation period. Applicants Applicants must have income between 40% and 60% of the Area Medium Income for the number of persons in the household. Applicants will also be screened and verifications will be conducted. Income verification on all adult household members Household composition status Full time student status Previous rental records Criminal background checks Citizenship verification on all household members If you are interested in applying for the CROWN housing program, you can come to the Douglas County Housing Authority office to complete an application, or click the link below to open the Pre-Application. You can fill out the form, sign it

4 Rental Housing Programs The Rental Housing Programs offers housing options for disabled, elderly and families whose income and qualifications meet the HUD and Low Income Housing Tax Credit program guidelines. Each property offers some form of rental assistance making it affordable for the residents. Applications for elderly and disabled units can be requested by calling ext. 10. Single Family Rental Homes DCHA owns and manages 38 three- and four- bedroom single-family homes located in southwest and northwest Omaha. When the Housing Authority opens the waiting list, notices will be placed in area newspapers. Elderly and Disabled Housing DCHA owns and manages elderly and disabled one bedroom apartments in three locations. Lydia House Open Door Mission Provides emergency services for women and families in need of immediate assistance N. 23rd St. East Omaha, NE (402) Mon Fri 830 am to 5pm Section 8 The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program enables low-income persons/ families to rent from a private landlord with rental assistance administered by DCHA. Clients must find their own housing within DCHA's jurisdiction. Currently, the Section 8 program serves more than 1,000 families. To be eligible for Section 8, clients must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen with eligible status, meet income guidelines established by HUD, and pass a criminal background check. There is a three-month to one-year waiting list for Section 8 assistance. When DCHA is accepting applications, a notice is published in the Omaha World Herald "public notices" section, in the Omaha Star and in the Thrifty Nickel. Family Self Sufficiency Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) is a voluntary program for Section 8 families designed to help clients obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. The FSS program is designed to link participants with the appropriate supportive community services and resources needed to reduce their dependence on public assistance. Participants create a five-year plan that includes training, education and employment goals. An interest-bearing FSS escrow account is established by DCHA for each participating family. The money is available to each participating family at the time of graduation from the program. Homeownership The Section 8 Homeownership Program works much like the Section 8 Rental Assistance program except that the subsidy clients receive is applied toward a mortgage on a home rather than to rent. To be eligible for homeownership, participants must be employed at least 30 hours/week, must meet income eligibility requirements, and must successfully complete a homeownership counseling program. Omaha/Douglas County Victim Assistance Unit Assists victims in preparing restitution claims and victim impact statements. Accompanies victims to contest hearings, misdemeanor court, preliminary hearings, court if they have been called as a witness and/or the trial in felony cases. Assists victims with protection orders or warrants. Acts as a liaison and referral agency to special counseling facilities and community service agencies for victims and witnesses. Provides transportation assistance to victims and witnesses to and from court Harney Street, Suite 500 Omaha, NE (402) Main Phone Monday - Friday; 8:00 am-4:00 pm

5 Domestic Violence Services - The Shelter Provides an emergency shelter for abused women and their children. Offers a 24-hour crisis line for domestic violence, and counseling in individual and group settings. Mailing Address: PO Box 4346 Omaha, NE (402) hour crisis line francesh@ccomaha.org Office hours: Monday - Friday; 8am - 5pm; Hotline open Monday - Sunday 24 hours Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. Offers home buyer education, mortgage delinquency and default resolution advocacy, foreclosure prevention counseling, reverse equity mortgage/home equity conversion mortgage counseling, and asset management/individual development accounts. Tenant rights and responsibilities, client case advocacy, client self-sufficiency, and tenant relocation assistance. Central Omaha Office: 2401 lake Street, Omaha, NE South Omaha Office: 3605 Q Street, Omaha, NE Council Bluffs Office: 10 South 4th Street, Council Bluffs, IA Central Omaha Office: (402) South Omaha Office: (402) Council Bluffs Office: (712) Central Omaha Office; Monday Friday; 8 am 5pm and by appointment South Omaha Office: By appointment Council Bluffs Office: Monday Thursday; 8:30am 4:30 pm and by appointment Heartland Family Service Description: Choosing Non-Violence Batterers Group, children s support groups, counseling, criminal justice advocacy, community education & training, comprehensive emergency services (includes assistance with food, transportation, and medical services), Safe Haven Shelter (residents may stay up to two years while they stabilize their living situation). 116 East Mission Ave (Sarpy County) 546 Avenue A Suite 7 (Cass County) Bellevue, NE Plattsmouth, NE Phone: (402) Phone: (402) To schedule an intake, call (402) Domestic Abuse Program: (402) Safe Haven Domestic Violence Shelter: (800) hour Crisis Line: (800) Holy Name Housing Corporation Provides homes for sale or rent for qualified participants scattered through northeast Omaha North 45th Street Omaha, NE (402) Address: info@holynamehousing.org Monday - Friday; 8am - 5pm

6 NeighborWorks Providing affordable housing for qualified participants based on income and family size North 24th St., Suite 102 Omaha, NE (402) Victims Assistance Catholic Charities: Family Passages Description: Transitional, independent-living units to empower abused women & their dependent children. Families needing on-going support and greater safety may apply to this program when they have successfully completed a domestic violence program. Services include enhancement of living skills, personal empowerment & assistance with breaking the cycle of domestic violence. Restrictions: Must be referred by a case worker, therapist, or advocate. Must have 3 sessions of Domestic Violence classes, and must be willing to seek employment in a job that offers 20 hours per week. Family will pay subsistence fee of 30% of income for an apartment vs. regular apartment rent. Undisclosed Address (402) Omaha 100, Inc Omaha 100, Inc. creates an additional 100 units per year of affordable housing for low and moderate income people in Omaha. They also provide to neighborhood groups and community development corporations. They foster public and private sector partnerships to create capital for development organizations and specific projects Lake Street, Suite #102 Omaha, NE (402) information@omaha100.org Monday - Friday; 8am - 5pm and by appointment Catholic Charities: Phoenix House 24-hour emergency shelter, crisis phone line, court advocacy, educational groups and outreach to underserved populations. 411 East Broadway Council Bluffs IA Phone: (712) OR (888)

7 Legal Aid of Nebraska - Omaha Offers legal advice, brief services or representation as well as referrals to other community resources Farnam Street, Suite 500 Omaha, NE Access Line: (877) State Toll Free Monday - Thursday 9am - 4pm, Friday 9am - 12pm, Omaha Housing Authority - Section 8 and Transitional Housing The Rental Assistance Program is a transitional program for the homeless or persons with disabilities with an agency referral. 540 South 27th Street Omaha, NE (402) Monday - Friday; 8am - 4:30pm Voices for Children Child advocacy program of concerned citizens in Nebraska covering all issues that would impact a child's life. Community groups and individuals analyze, search, write, and provide technical assistance so children can have a voice in the classroom, the legislative chamber and the media Main Street, Suite 103 Omaha, NE Phone: (402) Omaha Public Power District Provides help with minor electrical repairs, energy efficiency, education and assessment. 444 S. 16th St. Mall Omaha, NE Judi Martin: (402)

8 Rapid Re-housing Program - Omaha Provides re-housing services through rent and utility assistance, deposits, and moving assistance; case management is a required component South 42nd Street Omaha, NE (402) info@heartlandfamilyservice.org Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 5pm Juan Diego Center Provides immigration assistance with a variety of different services South 31st Street Omaha, NE (402) juandiegocenter@ccomaha.org Center: Monday - Friday; 8am - 4:30pm Salvation Army Housing Programs Provides various housing and transitional housing programs to families and individuals who are homeless Cuming Street Omaha, NE (402) Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 4:30pm Justice for Our Neighbors JFON provides free, professional legal services to immigrants in monthly clinics. This UMCOR program connects a national network of church-based, volunteer-led Immigration clinics to asylum seekers and immigrants who need a helping hand to navigate the maze of rules and laws that affect their lives in the United States E Street Omaha, NE

9 Creighton Legal Clinic The Civil Law Clinic offers free legal assistance on civil matters to low-income residents of Douglas County, Nebraska. The clinic operates as a small law firm, staffed by law students under the supervision of the Clinic Director, Professor Catherine Mahern, Connie Kearney Chair in Clinical Legal Education. Creighton University 2500 California Plaza Omaha, NE (402) clinic@creighton.edu Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 4:30pm Utility and Rental Assistance Douglas County General Assistance Rent Program 1111 S. 41st St., Ste 220 Omaha, NE (402) By appointment. Iowa Legal Aid - Council Bluffs Free legal assistance with civil legal problems involving basic necessities for low-income individuals in all 99 Iowa counties; assistance ranges from providing counsel and advice to representation before various agencies and courts st Avenue, Suite 300 Council Bluffs, IA Legal hotline for Iowans over 60: (800) (712) Main Phone (800) State Toll Free Monday - Friday; 8:30 am-5 pm; applications for assistance taken Monday - Friday 9 am-11 am and 1:30 pm-3:30 pm; emergency assistance applications taken anytime during office hours. Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership Rent, mortgage, and utility assistance when funds are available. North Omaha Office: 2406 Fowler Avenue Omaha, NE South Omaha Office: th Street Omaha, NE (402) North Omaha Office (402) South Omaha Office Monday - Friday; 8am - 5pm

10 Heartland Family Service - North Omaha Office Provides rent and utility assistance North 30th Street Omaha, NE Main Phone: (402) info@heartlandfamilyservice.org Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 5pm Together Providing rent and utility assistance to individuals and families in need in our community Cass St. Omaha, NE (402) x205 Mon, Wed and Thurs from 9am to 1pm Tues from 9am to 7pm Legal Services OPPD's Energy Assistance Program Established to help disadvantaged families pay energy-related expenses. The program is administered by the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter, which screens applicants and distributes the funds South 80th Avenue Omaha, NE Utility Assistance : (402) Spanish Line : (402) arcomaha@usa.redcross.org Irregular - call for details Adult and Child Protective Services Ensuring that the abused, neglected, dependent and delinquent populations it serves are safe from harm or maltreatment Farnam-on-the-Mall, 3rd Floor Omaha, NE (800) (402) Mon-Fri from 8am to 5pm