From Kalisha’s Desk—November Edition
This November, Youth Emergency Services (YES) is honoring Youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month—a time to come together and stand alongside young people experiencing homelessness in our community.
As youth homelessness continues to rise, your support helps YES expand critical services that provide safety, stability, and hope to Omaha’s most vulnerable youth. This month and beyond, I invite you, on behalf of YES, to take action and show your support. Here are a few simple but meaningful ways to make a difference:
Wear Green
Green is the color of awareness and hope for homeless youth. Throughout November, I encourage you to wear green to show your support for young people in crisis.
Snap a photo, share it on social media, and tag YES (@YesOmaha on Facebook and @YES_Omaha on Instagram) to help raise awareness and inspire others to join you. Wearing green is a small gesture that carries a powerful message: you matter and you are not alone. Your voice makes a difference—so let’s speak up and make a difference!
Donate Winter Items
Another way to give back during Youth HOPE Month is by helping our young people stay warm this winter. The youth who come to YES need winter coats (in all youth and adult sizes), hand and foot warmers, car seat ponchos, warm blankets, and more. You can drop off donations at our YES Drop-In Center (2602 Harney Street) anytime Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
You can also stop by and shop at Tip Top Thrift Shop—our volunteer-run thrift store in the Benson neighborhood. Every sale at Tip Top supports YES, helping provide essential resources to young people experiencing homelessness. We are deeply grateful to Tip Top Thrift Shop and every donor who helps us care for youth in our community. Drop by the store at 5910 Maple Street, anytime Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Together, we can help ensure every young person stays warm, safe, and supported this winter.
Sign Up for Our Meal Calendar
You can also make an impact by helping fill YES’ Monthly Meal Calendar and donating a home-cooked (or catered) meal for our youth.
To get involved, simply sign up for a meal date at yesomaha.org/meal-calendar and prepare or purchase a meal (something easy to portion, like sandwiches, pasta, or casseroles) that can feed up to 30 youth. On your signup date, drop off your meal at our Drop-In Center (2602 Harney Street) between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
A warm meal can mean so much to a young person experiencing homelessness. Each donation helps YES provide nourishment, comfort, and connection to youth who visit our Drop-In Center seeking support.
With your continued support, YES can open doors and brighten futures for young people across Omaha. Together, we can build a community where every youth knows they are not alone and that their story matters. Every act of generosity, big or small, brings us one step closer to ending youth homelessness. Thank you for being part of this mission—and for shining a light this November and all year long.