Youth Emergency Services assists youth experiencing homelessness and near homelessness by providing
critically-needed resources which support them in
their desire to be self-sufficient.

YES Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month 


Breast Cancer Awareness Month is not only critical in raising the public awareness of the disease but it also encourages women to have regular screenings. 


As with most cancer types, early detection is key in relation to the affected individual’s prognosis. The good news is that, with regular screening, the outlook of a breast cancer diagnosis is good, especially with the range of treatments that are now available. 


Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also a platform for support groups to reach out to their local communities and raise money to help with research and new treatments.

Have You Voted for Your Favorite Dancers?


Today's the last Day to Buy Dance for a Chance Tickets! 



This year's Dance for a Chance: Disco Nights is just a couple weeks away -- but there's still time to VOTE for your FAVORITE DANCERS...AND BUY TICKETS!


We have 11 AMAZING FUNDRAISERS representing the Omaha community who are ready to BOOGIE DOWN Thursday, October 13, at the Omaha Design Center!


We hope you, your friends, your family and your BUSINESS can join and support US and THEM!


This year's lineup of community leaders and YES supporters (VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES HEREeach vote is $1) includes:


Paul Baltes -- Nebraska Medicine

Chrissy Cameron -- Nebraska Realty

Kara Cavel -- Nebraska Wesleyan University

Angela Peters -- Realty ONE Group Sterling

Jenny Powell -- Creighton University

Sandy Spady -- Entrepreneur

Sonya Markle -- Medical Solutions

Dan Cronin -- Fiserv

Kelly Staup -- Lindsay Corporation

Carmen Tapio -- North End Teleservices,LLC

Chris Tooker -- Certified Financial Planner


Many thanks to our presenting sponsor -- Lindsay Corporation -- as well as Champion Sponsor Medical Solutions and Partner Sponsors North End Teleservices, LLC and Fiserv.


Our media sponsors are Midlands Business Journal, metroMagazine, KMTV3NewsNow and iHeart Radio.


Similar to Dancing with the Stars, Dance for a Chance is YES' biggest fundraiser and is recognized as one of the MOST FUN, EXCITING, INTERACTIVE annual events around!


So DUST OFF your PLATFORMS and BELL BOTTOMS and join us for a night of Disco fun!

Can You Dig it?

Register for Hand Up for Housing Walk-A-Thon Oct. 9 to Benefit YES


The Matthew 25 Hand Up for Housing Walk is a fundraiser with a mission to increase awareness for housing insecurities and financially support 3 local agencies including Youth Emergency Services.


“Matthew 25” is an initiative of the Presbyterian Church (USA) that encourages congregations to take on Jesus’ calling from Matthew 25 in the Bible’s New Testament.


The Matthew 25 Hand Up Mission, in collaboration with churches, civic groups, businesses, schools, and colleges, works together and supports members of our community that experience housing insecurity, eviction, substandard housing and poverty. Poor housing conditions affect health, education, stability, safety and one’s overall well-being.


Do Your Part to HELP YES and REGISTER TO WALK in the October 9 Hand Up for Housing mission.  


We Look Forward to Seeing You There!

Ethan Finds his Voice, Future through YES


Ethan’s path to Youth Emergency Services was filled with disappointment and often despair.


But after 17 months in the YES Transitional Living Program (TLP), he has emerged more confident and more driven toward his future goals and aspirations.


Ethan recently started classes at the University of Nebraska Omaha with plans to one day enter the world of politics.


“I always wanted to go to college, and my time with YES helped me get the skills I needed to make it happen,” said Ethan, who started classes at the end of August and lives on campus with three other roommates.


While his road forward is filled with optimism, Ethan’s past had very little.


He said he grew up in a verbally abusive home and was kicked out by his mother as a teenager.


When he came to YES in October 2020, he said he was filled with anger and distrust.


“I had no goals, and I was angry all the time,” he said. “I grew up with no real support network. I spiraled after high school, and I had no real direction. I know now that if I hadn’t come to YES, I’d probably be in jail or prison. That’s where I was headed.”


Ethan said he found support and direction in the TLP program – living and working independently, learning vital life skills that have set him up for what he knows will be a future filled with success.


“I’ve learned to be an advocate for myself; in the past, I allowed people to influence me and my decisions,” said Ethan, who has worked hard the past couple of years to repair his relationship with his mom. “That dictated my lack of self-worth.


“But now, I’ve learned that I can’t let people do for me. I call my own shots. I determine what’s best for me. I am a fully autonomous human being now. I know if I didn’t have the experiences I’ve had, I wouldn't be the person I am today.”


And will we perhaps see Ethan for Senator, Governor or, even higher, President someday?


Not likely -- but never say never.


“I may run for office, but that’s not where my passion for politics lies,” Ethan said. “I’m more interested in policy. But you never know.


“What I do know is that you can’t be afraid to try something for fear of failing. You have to give things a shot to succeed. You can’t let others dictate your life. Where there’s a sliver of hope, grab it by the fistfuls.”

Husker Heisman Jersey Highlights DFAC Silent Auction Items


YES is excited to reveal some early items available in this year's Dance for a Chance: Disco Nights silent auction.


The entire auction list goes live Friday, October 7!

Mark Your Calendars for Giving Tuesday 2022!

John Morrison: YES Intern


John Morrison may not be your typical college intern, but what he may lack in youth, he more than makes up for in experience.


After 32 years working in corrections – starting as a corrections officer and retiring as a watch commander – John knew he still had a lot to do and a lot to give.


With this in mind – and because he always intended to finish college – John enrolled in the University of Nebraska Omaha Grace Abbott School of Social Work.


More than three months ago, he started an internship at Youth Emergency Services (YES), and he graduates in December.


Suffice it to say, the past few months helping YES in a variety of ways – SharePoint organization and cleanup; helping youth move into YES housing; teaching youth to put together furniture, etc. – has been a rewarding experience for him.


“After I retired, I thought about getting into banking or finance, but when I took a few classes, I quickly learned I didn’t like the idea of what I had to do to be successful,” said John, 52, who started in pre-med classes at Creighton University out of high school before starting in corrections at age 19.


“So instead, I took classes in social work and decided to put my time and energy toward changing the criminal justice system. I saw first-hand the way corrections treats people, and I want to be part of the solution to change that.”


And his impact within the organization hasn’t gone unnoticed.


“It is not an exaggeration to say that without John’s help, it would have been a struggle to open (the new) shelter and transition to our new TLP houses,” said Quality Improvement Manager Will Meinen, who oversaw John’s internship.


“John has carried furniture, assembled beds, pulled vines off a house, hauled desks and painted. On the client side, he has participated in groups, mentored youth and helped move clients into dorm rooms after leaving housing.”


As the Watch Commander for Douglas County Corrections, John was in charge of more than 1,500 people on a daily basis.


He equates some of the work he did with inmates to social work and his interactions with YES youth.


“You can be an inmate simply because you make bad choices; that doesn’t make all of them bad people,” he said. “The same goes for youth at YES. Some were dealt bad hands by life, and some just made bad choices. I like knowing I can help them in some way.”


As a senior nearing completion of his bachelor’s degree, John knew he needed an internship to finish.


When he inquired about opportunities, Dr. Jodi Mcquillen, who John’s wife worked with, encouraged him to apply at YES as she knew John wanted to focus on the macro – or top level – processes at an organization.


He said he’s thoroughly enjoyed his experience, and leaves YES this week having learned something about his field as well as himself in the process.


“I’ve enjoyed this internship because I was encouraged to help out in so many different ways and in so many different areas (at YES)," said John, who completed his internship in early September. “Everything I’ve done has been hands-on, and what I’ve enjoyed the most is interacting with the youth.


“I believe I’ve learned as much from them as I’ve had the pleasure to teach them.”

Watch YES Social Media 

for more information! 

How Can I Help? 

There are Lots of Ways!



People often ask us "How Can I Help?" Here are some of the best ways you can help our youth!




Learn more about all of these and MORE at www.yesomaha.org!


As always, thank you for your continued support!

We can't do what we do without you! 

*Your donations are tax deductible. 

We have some exciting EVENTS coming up. We would LOVE your support!


October 9 -- Hand Up for Housing Walk-A-Thon

October 13 -- Dance for a Chance: Disco Nights 2022

November 29 -- Giving Tuesday



For more information, please contact Barb.

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Look for the November 2022 issue of YES News in your mailbox Tuesday, November 1!


Thank you for helping us spread the word about the great things being done at YES!

Thank You for Helping Create Brighter Futures for our Youth! Your support is greatly appreciated!
Youth Emergency Services (YES)
2566 Farnam Street, Suite 301
Omaha, NE 68131
402-345-5187
www.yesomaha.org
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