We are excited to be part of some incredible community-based efforts, particularly Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach’s recent ones to provide housing for the homeless. Throughout these last few months, we can’t deny the pandemic’s gravity or community accomplishments to help families thrive. As the saying goes, if it takes a village to raise a child, then for Nebraska Children, it takes a community to create positive change.
In response to the lack of housing for Lincoln’s homeless population, we were among those organizations that supported Matt Talbot Kitchen in its initiative to create housing using a $50,000 grant.
As we contributed to the grant, so did the US Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS), Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NE DHHS), in partnership with Lincoln’s Community Response Collaborative which is coordinated by United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County.
Matt Talbot Kitchen created this housing initiative in response to the lack of shelter. Currently, most of the area’s emergency shelters are filled, leaving many without anywhere to go. To boot, due to social distancing restrictions, Lincoln shelters are unable to accommodate more people.
The grant is designed to provide shelter for a maximum of 50 people or 25 rooms. Currently, 18 residents are staying at two area hotels. Of those 18 people experiencing housing insecurity, eight of them are children.
Aside from providing relief from the difficulties of homelessness, this housing situation delivers a longer-term solution. The residents are eligible to stay at the hotel for 30-60 days while they work alongside their case managers to find permanent housing within 4-6 weeks. The case manager, in turn, will advocate for those residents as suitable candidates for permanent housing.
Our communities and we continue to do more with less, stretch our resources to feed where there is hunger, support where there is uncertainty, and provide shelter where there is none.
Recently, this accomplishment is precisely what transpired.
During a pandemic, we need dedicated partners. Our recent contributions have shown that group effort breeds a positive outcome. We are glad to participate as part of a team who joined forces to provide temporary housing for Lincoln’s homeless population.
Where there are storms, there are silver linings, too. When the pandemic struck, community organizations united – and continue to collaborate – every day to help those who need it. Thanks to your support, we will continue to be part of this work alongside our committed partners, who work tirelessly to enact positive change.
Read more COVID-19 Community Success Stories
Nebraska Children's mission is to maximize the potential of Nebraska’s children, youth, and families through collaboration and community-centered impact.
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