Bridging the Gap with Community Health Partnerships | Partner Spotlight

At Youth Emergency Services (YES), belonging starts with feeling seen. For many young people experiencing homelessness, that means having someone who listens before asking questions, builds trust before offering solutions, and reminds them they deserve care. That's exactly what Nurse Mary does every Wednesday at the YES Drop-In Center.

Through a partnership with the Center for Community Health Partnerships at Nebraska Methodist College, Mary provides free nursing services that go far beyond treating cuts and checking vital signs. While she offers health screenings, wound care, immunizations, and health education, much of her work centers on helping youth navigate a healthcare system that can feel overwhelming.

"I bridge the gap between them and the healthcare system," Mary says.

For many youth, she's the first healthcare professional they've seen in years—or the first they've felt comfortable talking to. Rather than approaching them with paperwork or expectations, Mary focuses on meeting each young person where they are. She lets them settle in, introduces herself as a resource, and spends time building the trust that makes everything else possible.

"The last thing I want to do is make someone uncomfortable," she says.

Whether she's helping a young person apply for Medicaid, scheduling a doctor's appointment, explaining how to advocate for themselves, or simply answering questions about their health, Mary empowers youth to take the next step with confidence.

After 18 years as a nurse, Mary says community nursing—and working with youth—is exactly where she's meant to be.

"Every single guest I've encountered here has been a privilege," she says. "The fact that they feel safe enough to come see me and talk to me, I feel privileged."

At YES, healthcare is about more than treating illness. It's about helping young people feel safe, supported, and worthy of care. Because when a young person knows they belong, asking for help becomes possible—and taking the next step toward a healthier future becomes a little easier.