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Give Hope This Holiday Season

CSI invites you to walk hand in hand with us to uplift Nebraska and Iowa children. Your support helps provide early childhood education, mental health services, foster care, and temporary shelter for youth in need.

Donate Today!

Together, Hand in Hand

As we approach the end of the year, your generosity helps Child Saving Institute respond to urgent needs and bring hope to children and families who are struggling in Nebraska and Iowa. Whether it’s a youth seeking safety in one of our emergency shelters, a teen receiving mental health support or a family opening their hearts to a child in need, your gift ensures we can be there—especially when it matters most.

Donations during this time allow us to serve more children, more families and meet more needs across our communities. And with a matching gift opportunity on Giving Tuesday (December 2), your impact can go even further. Thank you to our Giving Tuesday matching sponsor CharterWest Bank.

Your support this season brings stability, healing and hope.
Meet the children and families your gift empowers—and see the difference you can make.

Giving Levels & the Difference You Make

$10 purchases art supplies for CSI programs so children have the opportunity to learn and heal through creativity.
Give $10 Today
$25 supplies two pairs of pajamas for a child removed from their home due to neglect or abuse.
Give $25 Today
$50 provides personal hygiene products for two children arriving at the Triage Center.
Give $50 Today
$100 covers the cost of two home visits with parents to address student attendance issues.
Give $100 Today
$250 provides one day of care for a youth temporarily living in one of our Emergency Shelters.
Give $250 Today
$500 funds eight sessions of parenting workshops to strengthen families in our communities.
Give $500 Today
$1000 helps 10 young mothers with the funds to keep utilities on and children in their home.
Give $1000 Today
$2500 licenses two foster families to provide safe, stable and loving homes.
Give $2500 Today

The Joy You Make Possible

From Fear to Safety

At just eight years old, Jordan had already endured more than most adults ever will. Found sleeping in a car after losing his mother and with no safe place to go, he arrived at Child Saving Institute’s emergency youth shelter on the Children’s Square campus scared, silent and alone. What happened next was not just a story of survival—it was a story of transformation, made possible by compassion, care and the support of people like you.

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A Forever Family Found

JJ clutched his backpack tightly. Maddie stood half-hidden behind him, her eyes wide with uncertainty. It was a quiet Saturday morning when they arrived at Kelly’s doorstep—two children carrying more than just belongings. They carried histories of trauma, instability and unmet needs. JJ, a quiet and curious teenager, longed for stability and the chance to learn the basics—like how to ride a bike or fold laundry. Maddie, bright-eyed and imaginative, struggled to be understood due to speech delays. Both had experienced more than any child should. 

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“You Are Worthy.”

After courageously leaving an abusive relationship that threatened the wellbeing of herself and her child, Whitney found herself in Omaha, in search of safety and affordable housing. Alone, anxious and uncertain about her future, she was introduced CSI’s Family Empowerment Program (FEP) which provides support to survivors of domestic violence. Whitney’s path to healing was not linear and her journey was arduous, but with support of the Family Empowerment Program, she began to rebuild her life. 

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A Birthday, a Breakdown and a Community That Stepped In

Andre didn’t expect to spend his 18th birthday in a youth shelter—or to cry over cake. But when CSI staff surprised him with a small celebration, it wasn’t the dessert that moved him—it was the kindness. The very next day, his world shifted again: his family became homeless. What happened next shows the power of community—across Nebraska and Iowa— and how your support can change everything.

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Share the Joy, Spark the Hope

Help us bring holiday magic to families in need. There are many ways to get involved:

Donate

The most immediate and impactful way to help is through a holiday gift. Your donation supports hundreds of children and families. Want to make an even bigger difference? Become a monthly donor—your steady support powers hope and healing all year long. Every dollar makes a difference.

Join the Toy Drive

Be a Substitute Santa! Drop off unwrapped gifts, cash, or gift cards (Amazon | Target | Walmart) at Child Saving Institute, 4545 Dodge St., Omaha, December 3–5, 9 AM–4 PM. Your generosity brings joy, comfort and holiday magic to hundreds of children and families.

Shop Our Wishlists

Help meet real needs by shopping from our holiday wish list or any of our ongoing wish lists. Every item donated supports a child or family in our care and makes the season brighter. From diapers to toys, your gift brings comfort and joy to those who need it most.

Spread Holiday Cheer

Explore our Holiday Toolkit to share inspiring graphics and messages on social media, via text/email or wherever you connect with your community. Your voice helps raise awareness and inspires others to give, creating a ripple effect of generosity.

What Is Substitute Santa?

Not every parent can afford to fill the space under the tree—but every child deserves to feel the magic of the holidays.

CSI’s Substitute Santa Toy Drive helps bridge that gap. Donors drop off new, unwrapped toys and gifts at Child Saving Institute. The following week, our program staff “shop” the donations on behalf of the families they serve, selecting gifts that match each child’s interests and needs. Parents then wrap and give these gifts to their children—some from Santa, others from Mom or Dad.

Participate in the Toy Drive

Donation Drive Dates: December 3–5, 9 AM–4 PM
Location: Child Saving Institute, 4545 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68132
Shop our holiday wish list and ship toys directly to CSI.

Download the donation form here.

Questions? Contact Amanda Ilg at ailg@childsaving.org or 402.916.0365

A special thank you to our Substitute Santa Donation Drive sponsor: SCHEELS

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Give a Little More, Reach a Lot Further

Your year-end gift helps us do more than meet a number—it helps us meet a child right where they are. Whether they are in need of warmth, safety or joy, every dollar given ensures each child is given the tools they need to thrive. Help us reach our goal of $250,000.

 

Money Raised

93290
Be the reason a child smiles this season. Donate Today!

Holiday Magic in Action

Together Hand in Hand, We Build Brighter Futures

CSI invites you to walk hand in hand with us to uplift Omaha and Council Bluffs children. Your support helps provide early childhood education, mental health services, foster care, and temporary shelter for youth in need.

See How You Can Help