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Campaign for Hope - Building a Stronger Community
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Campaign for Hope

Building A Stronger Community

Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Unfortunately, for the children and families served by Child Saving Institute (CSI), hope can seem unfamiliar.

When life becomes challenging, hope shouldn’t be so distant. CSI has provided hope and healing for children and families through supportive services for 131 years. With your support, we can build a stronger community. Together, we can provide hope.

95% to Goal of $46,000,000

Title

95%

$43,835,912 Raised

Goal
46M
Raised
43M
To Goal
95

Thank you to each and every one of our supporters. We could not continue to do this important work without each of you. Because of your generosity, we will continue to provide life-changing services to more children and families in the Omaha community—long into the future.

Pediatric & Adolescent Therapy

Pediatric & Adolescent Therapy

In the past six years, CSI has doubled the size of its Mental Health Services program to meet the growing needs of the Omaha community. Yet, CSI has a waitlist of over 150 children and youth waiting to receive Therapy and Medication Management Services. A space that is conducive to address trauma, promote safety and allow for healing is critical.

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Emergency Shelter

Emergency Shelter

CSI’s Emergency Shelter was originally built for young children but the older teens who live there today have different needs. The new Emergency Shelter will add robust educational services, a physical activity space and allow for youth to have their own bedrooms—all of which are crucial to a youth’s successful physical, emotional and mental health.

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Supportive Early Education (SEE)

Supportive Early Education

There are many vulnerable preschoolers living in poverty and experiencing the impact of trauma in the Omaha community at risk of expulsion. CSI wishes to directly provide Supportive Early Education services for traumatized preschoolers unsuccessful in traditional early learning environments to help them to heal and prepare them for kindergarten… and for life.

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Early Education Expansion

Early Education Expansion

Since 1971, CSI has provided quality Early Childhood Education to the Omaha community. Nationally, the need for high-quality Early Childhood Education continues to outpace the availability. The proposed expansion of CSI’s Early Childhood Education Center would increase its licensed capacity by 25%, while also incorporating STEAM learning across the center.

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View from Dodge Street

View from Dodge Street

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

View from 46th and Dodge

View from 46th & Dodge

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Floor Plan: Second Level

Floor Plan: Second Level

Second Floor Lobby

Second Floor Lobby

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Mental Health Clinic

Mental Health Clinic

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Main Floor

Floor Plan: Main Level

Main Lobby

Main Lobby

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Main Entry

Main Entry

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Main Entry from Douglas Street at Night

Main Entry from Douglas Street at Night

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Main Entry at Night

Main Entry at Night

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Interior Entry

Interior Entry

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Interior Entry

Interior Entry

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Gym

Gym

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Emergency Shelter

Emergency Shelter

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Early Childhood Education Center

Early Childhood Education Center

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Cafe & Staff Lounge

Cafe & Staff Lounge

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Aerial View

Aerial View

Rendering courtesy of TACKarchitects

Number of Families Served
Family Income Levels
Improvement Levels
Assessment Screenings
CSI Program Areas

Campaign Chairs

Melanie Hecker - Campaign for Hope Chair

Melanie Hecker

Melanie's Bio
Cindy Heider - Campaign for Hope Chair

Cindy Heider

Cindy's Bio
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Cindy Heider - Campaign for Hope Chair

Cindy Heider

Campaign for Hope Chair

CSI provides critical services to the youth and families in our community. CSI has consistently responded to the needs of our community for over 100 years. In order to continue to meet these needs, CSI must expand the current campus to provide the space for additional mental health services, early childhood education and youth shelter accommodations.

The Campaign for Hope is important to me because I have been a part of the CSI story for over 22 years in variety of roles including: volunteer, board member, board chair, event chair, ambassador and now, Campaign Leader. I am committed to the agency, the leadership team and each and every person who chooses to serve our children and families.

The Campaign for Hope will allow CSI to continue to provide the critical services to more children and families in need on an expanded campus in a more deliberate, responsive and timely manner. Our community has a need, we are responding.

Melanie Hecker - Campaign for Hope Chair

Melanie Hecker

Campaign for Hope Chair

Prior to the pandemic, CSI was in conversation with members of the philanthropic community in Omaha to begin the journey to expand services to the growing number of youth experiencing abuse and trauma. Then the pandemic hit and so much changed—sadly, except for kids continuing to experience abuse and trauma. In fact, the numbers increased as did the urgency to see families during crisis. CSI has the knowledge and the heart to help families heal. Now is the time to support them in doing so.

I’ve been a part of the CSI family since before I was born. The faith my biological mother had in CSI to provide her with support while she made the most difficult decision of her life didn’t waiver. She hoped for a better life for me and her prayers were answered. I was showered with stability, security and love with my forever family. Everything about the Campaign for Hope is personal for me because had CSI not been there for us all, my memories and my life could have been very different. My hope and desire is that the kids CSI serves never have to think about “what if” anymore.

The Campaign for Hope will provide resources for CSI to enhance all the necessary programs and services they provide to ensure the children of our community feel safe and experience unconditional family love. Together, we truly can build a stronger community.