From Kalisha’s Desk—September Edition

At Youth Emergency Services (YES), every season brings new opportunities to support youth experiencing homelessness—and this September is no exception. As Dance for a Chance kicks off, I invite you to join us in making a tangible difference. Getting involved is simple. Learn more about Dance for a Chance below and discover how your participation helps move our mission forward.

Dance for a Chance: October 17, 2025 | 6 p.m. at The Astro
YES’ annual Dance for a Chance fundraiser sees dynamic members of the Omaha community paired with dance instructors to compete through carefully crafted dance routines—much like the hit reality series “Dancing with the Stars.” Meanwhile, these community members raise awareness and funds for Youth Emergency Services among their personal and professional networks. To learn more about the event—and find out which influential community members are dancing for this year’s fundraiser—please visit: https://www.yesomaha.org/dance-for-a-chance. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email asaladino@yesomaha.org.

There are plentiful ways to support YES this fall—and our annual dance fundraiser is only one of them! Next to safe housing, access to consistent, nourishing food is one of the greatest challenges facing the young people we serve. That’s why YES works tirelessly to ensure no youth ever has to wonder where their next meal will come from.

September is Hunger in Action Month
This past fiscal year, YES distributed 11,623 meals through our Drop-In Center. Sometimes, that means providing a hot meal to get through the day. Other times, it means sending a youth home with a pantry bag filled with ingredients for five shelf-stable meals to last the week.

Every meal we provide is made possible through the generosity of community groups, partnerships, and donors like you—and always offered free of charge to youth in need. During Hunger in Action Month, we invite you to help us meet youth where they are by bringing in food supplies. From canned goods and non-perishable food items to prepared meals, all donated food items are welcome at our Drop-In Center—located at 2602 Harney Street—anytime Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. To see a list of our most-needed pantry items, visit our Pantry Bag Amazon Wishlist. Or, to prepare and serve a meal to youth, sign up for a day on our Meal Calendar.

When you support YES through our community events or by donating directly to programs like our food services, you help us provide Omaha’s young people with a safe place to land and the tools to build a brighter future. From emergency shelter services to counseling, mental health support, and long-term housing, YES offers a wide range of services designed to meet the unique needs of each youth who walks through our doors.