September gives us an opportunity to reflect on some of the most important needs our young people face, from access to food and safety to mental health and connection. I’m especially grateful for the ways our team and community continue to show up with compassion, care, and hope.

Throughout National Suicide Prevention Month, YES youth and staff came together for activities, community awareness efforts, and suicide prevention training—all with the goal of creating space for hope, conversation, and support.

Food is more than a meal—it’s one of the basic building blocks of stability. We’re grateful to have Rotella’s Italian Bakery and Hiland Dairy as community partners with YES, providing fresh bread, milk, and eggs each week for youth visiting our Drop-In Center.

September is Hunger Action Month—a time to raise awareness about food insecurity and take action to make sure everyone has access to the food they need. Find out how YES gives youth reliable access to food—and how you can help.

At YES, belonging starts with feeling seen. Find out how nurse Mary helps youth feel safe, seen, and supported at YES through our partnership with the Center for Community Health Partnerships at Nebraska Methodist College.

We are excited to release our 2025-2026 Impact Report. Annual reports are often filled with numbers, charts, and statistics. While those figures help tell our story, I find myself reflecting on what those numbers actually represent. 

Every young person deserves someone in their corner. For Ashlei, that belief is at the heart of her work as a Housing Case Manager for Youth Emergency Services (YES).

For Nate, boxing is more than a sport—it’s a way of life. In just a year, boxing taught him about discipline, focus, and confidence. With support from YES’ staff, he learned how to channel that determination into something more.

Home is more than a roof overhead or a place to sleep. It's the feeling of being welcomed, supported, and knowing you belong. At Youth Emergency Services, that sense of belonging is at the heart of everything we do.

Youth recently came together for a Mental Health Awareness Month. Through activities, community resources, and meaningful connections, young people were reminded that support is available—and that their mental health matters.

One of the things I appreciate most about June is that it invites us to reflect on what it truly means to belong. While every young person's story is unique, one thing remains true: everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and connected.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to recognize the vital role mental well-being plays in overall health. It also offers an important opportunity to expand access to care and resources for those who need them most.

We're thrilled to share that YES is embarking on a transformative journey with the launch of our $17 million capital campaign for the YES House!

What happens after you call for help? When young people in crisis reach out to YES for support, staff like Antoinette “Nettie” Scaife, Housing Lead, help ensure they are met with safety, support, and understanding.

At YES, we are grateful for partners like Harrison’s Playmakers who help ensure youth can access the essentials they need to feel safe and supported. Together, we’re building a community where young people can move forward with stability and hope.

In honor of National Safe Place Week (March 15–21) this month, YES is proud to highlighting the National Safe Place program! As the Safe Place agency for the Omaha metro area, YES works hard to ensure help is close by when a young person needs it.

YES is thrilled to be expanding housing opportunities for young people thanks to new federal funding through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) as part of a larger initiative to strengthen housing solutions across the Omaha Metro.

Love shows up at YES in many forms—from volunteers giving their time to partners stepping up with essential resources. Find out how different acts of generosity help youth feel supported, valued, and safe.

Youth Emergency Services (YES) has earned national accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA)—a rigorous, two-year review process that affirms the quality, integrity, and impact of our work!

At YES, preventing human trafficking is year-round work. But in honor of January being National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, I want to share with you how awareness and community support help YES protect the vulnerable youth we serve.