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Child Saving Institute (CSI) is thrilled to announce the success of its annual fundraiser, Cabaret, held on Friday, April 14th at Embassy Suites in La Vista, NE. The event was attended by over 600 guests.
The theme of this year's event was "Laughing So Kids Know Love," and guests were treated to a night of hilarious comedy by comedian Bret Ernst. The event also featured a raffle and raise the paddle, which collectively helped CSI raise over $701,000 to support its mission. This marks the largest fundraiser in CSI’s 131-year history.
This year marks Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) 130-year anniversary serving Omaha-area kids and families. CSI is excited to also wrap the year up by announcing its $46,000,000 capital campaign—Campaign for Hope—led by campaign chairs Cindy Heider and Melanie Hecker.
While deeply rooted in history, CSI is looking to enhance the future of care in the Omaha community as it plans to expand its services and physical footprint along 46th and Dodge Streets. CSI’s Campaign for Hope will allow the organization to continue to meet the dynamic needs of those it serves today, and over the next 100 years by vastly expending core service areas including pediatric and adolescent therapy, emergency shelter and early childhood education services.
As part of Lindsay Corporation's Global Management Team Summit, more than 50 Lindsay employees from the company’s leadership team will take a break from business meetings and participate in volunteer events across the Omaha area. With planning help from the United Way of the Midlands, Lindsay employees will divide into groups and visit five Omaha-area nonprofits including Child Saving Institute (CSI) to lend a helping hand.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) recently received grants totaling $136,400 from United Way of the Midlands (UWM). Thanks to the generosity of United Way donors, CSI can continue offering services to children and their families who participate in the organization’s School & Family Enrichment (SAFE), KidSquad, Teen & Young Parent Program (TYPP) and Independent Living Skills (ILS) programs. United Way also provided funding to support the CSI’s Emergency Shelter and Mental Health Services (Pediatric & Adolescent Therapy) programs.
The Child Saving Institute (CSI) Guild will host its 15th annual PurseOnalities fundraising event on Thursday, November 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hilton Downtown Omaha. Funds raised during the event will positively impact children and families who have experienced abuse, neglect and trauma.
This year’s “Share Your Story” themed event features a silent auction of extraordinary purse packages and the opportunity to shop on-site from some of Omaha’s most popular boutiques, with a portion of their event proceeds being donated back to CSI.
As the need for mental health services in the Omaha-metro continues to grow, Child Saving Institute (CSI) has expanded its therapy team to further support local children, adolescents and families seeking mental health services.
CSI's licensed therapists specialize in child and family therapy and provide the support, skills and knowledge necessary to improve family relationships. One area of focus is expanding bilingual services to Spanish-speaking children and families. CSI has recently added two additional bilingual therapists to its mental health services team.
Mustaches for Kids (M4K) Omaha is the local chapter of Mustaches for Kids America, a volunteer-run organization geared to do good and have fun by growing mustaches for children’s charities. Since 2009, M4K Omaha has hosted “Mustache May”, bringing together hundreds of individuals to grow mustaches, have fun and raise money for local nonprofits.
This year, Child Saving Institute (CSI), a local child-serving organization that has been providing support to at-risk children and youth in the Omaha-metro for 130 years has been selected as one of M4K’s community partners.
For 130 years, Child Saving Institute (CSI) has been dedicated to the prevention, intervention and healing of child abuse, neglect and trauma. Over the years, as the needs of the Omaha community have changed, so have CSI’s programs and services.
What was once known as the leading agency providing infant adoption services, today CSI provides an array of services, all aligned to bring hope and healing to children, teens and families. While child-focused, CSI provides a multi-generational approach, assisting entire family units to achieve the best outcomes possible.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has appointed Jovan Johnson as its new Director of Child Welfare Services.
Johnson possesses more than 20 years' experience working with children and families, serving the Omaha community in various roles. Formerly, Johnson served as a Pathways to Permanency Specialist with the Nebraska Home Society and a Child and Family Service Specialist with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Child Saving Institute (CSI) is excited to welcome seven new individuals to its board of directors. The organization seeks to include a diverse board bringing expertise from different professional and personal backgrounds. CSI is excited to welcome Rhonda Heineman, Kermit Engh, Jeremiah Gudding, Rex Earl, Nick Patrick, Laura Contreras and Ashley Dieckman as its newest board members.
Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) is hosting a specialized Early Childhood Education Job Fair on site at its 4545 Dodge Street location on Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. No appointments needed; walk-in's welcome.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) joined NRG Media's Issues & Answers radio segment on January 23, 2022. Listen in now!
Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) is set to host its largest fundraiser of the year, Cabaret 2022, on Saturday, May 7, at the Embassy Suites Omaha La Vista Hotel & Conference Center. Last year, the event raised over $477,000 to help Omaha-area children and families. During its 130-year anniversary, the agency seeks to raise half a million dollars during Cabaret 2022.
Once again, Child Saving Institute (CSI) will help put the happy in “Happy Holidays” for more than 700 children and teens in the greater Omaha area through its annual Substitute Santa program. This year, the organization is excited to partner with SCHEELS as its Substitute Santa Event Partner.
Peg Harriott is a true change maker in the Omaha community having impacted the lives of so many children and families over the years. Listen in on Peg's recent recording of KidGlov's Agency for Change Podcast.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) is excited to take part in SHARE Omaha’s #GivingTuesday402 event on Tuesday, November 30. This year, CSI is partnering with CharterWest Bank as its matching sponsor during the virtual, one-day giving event.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has selected a new President & CEO and Chief Development Officer. CSI has announced Jaymes Sime as its next President & CEO. In addition, the organization recently welcomed Lori Bechtold as its new Chief Development Officer.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has partnered with its KidSquad program, Survivors Rising and the Women's Center for Advancement (WCA) to bring a free virtual training on the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children. This FREE training will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 9am - 4pm via Zoom.
September is National Suicide Awareness Month and Child Saving Institute (CSI) is partnering with Smart Gen Society to bring families important information regarding Digital Self-Defense for Protecting Youth Mental Health. This free virtual event will be held on Tuesday, September 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) recently received grants totaling $127,900 from United Way of the Midlands. Thanks to the generosity of United Way donors, CSI can continue offering services to children and their families who participate in the organization’s School & Family Enrichment (SAFE), KidSquad, Teen & Young Parent Program (TYPP) and Independent Living Skills (ILS) programs. United Way also provided funding to support the CSI’s Emergency Shelter and Mental Health Services (Pediatric & Adolescent Therapy) programs.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) recently received a grant totaling $15,000 from the Lincoln Financial Foundation. Thanks to the foundation’s generosity, CSI can continue offering services to young adults participating in its Independent Living Skills (ILS) program and youth temporarily staying in CSI’s Emergency Shelter.
The Child Saving Institute (CSI) Guild will host its annual PurseOnalities fundraising event on Friday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hilton Downtown Omaha. Funds raised during the event will positively impact children and families who have experienced abuse, neglect and trauma.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) is sad to announce the cancellation of Touch-A-Truck 2021. Due to the continued impact of COVID-19, we feel it is in the best interest of children and families to cancel this year’s event.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) announces the planned retirement of President & CEO Peg Harriott effective October 2021. While Ms. Harriott’s departure is slated for October, the exact timing will become more specific as a new President & CEO is identified and available. Ms. Harriott states, “My commitment to the board of directors, the agency’s dedicated staff, the Omaha community, and the children and families who rely on CSI’s serves is my foremost priority.”
Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) Board of Directors and Guild Board hosted the agency’s largest fundraiser of the year, Cabaret 2021, May 8, at the Embassy Suites Omaha La Vista Hotel & Conference Center. The event raised nearly $477,000 to help Omaha-area children and families.
Funds raised during the evening support CSI’s quality programs, including parenting workshops, an emergency shelter for youth, therapy, older child adoption, foster care, independent living skills for youth transitioning to adulthood, pediatric social work and developmental early childhood education.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has promoted Lora Sladovnik, MS, LIMHP, as its new Director of Mental Health Services.
Sladovnik joined CSI in September 2020 as a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner. She brings with her over 15 years of training and clinical experience working across a variety of settings including outpatient specialty clinics, crisis intervention, nonprofits and private practice. In March of 2021, Sladovnik transitioned into the Director or Mental Health Services role at CSI.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has partnered with the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) to launch a new program to bring healing and hope to children and their parents/caregivers who are survivors of domestic violence in the Omaha-metro area.
The collaborative Family Empowerment Program is designed to aid hope and healing for parents/caregivers and their children (ages 4-13) who have experienced domestic or interpersonal violence regardless of age, race, material status or gender identity.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) is proud to welcome Michael Geppert, Chief Information Officer of HDR as the new chair of the CSI board of directors.
CSI also thanks former chair, Melanie Hecker for her leadership and service as board chair over the past two years.
Due to inclement weather, Child Saving Institute will be closed on Friday, January 15, 2021. This includes our Early Childhood Education Center located on 45th and Dodge St. and the Spellman Child Development Center located on the College of Saint Mary campus.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) welcomes Alicia Theilen, the Mental Health Services team’s first Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. The addition of Theilen expands the behavioral health offerings for children. Additionally, CSI promotes Katherine Hubbard to Director of Early Childhood Education.
Theilen brings with her more than 16 years of training and clinical experience in pediatric home health care, neonatal intensive care, emergency medicine, post-partum, medical/surgical and oncology. She holds a master's degree as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and is currently working on her postgraduate certificate in Psychiatric Mental Healthcare.
Once again, Child Saving Institute (CSI) will help put the happy in “Happy Holidays” for more than 700 children and teens in the greater Omaha area through its annual Substitute Santa program.
“This year has been tough for kids. Between being pulled away from school, missing traditional family activities, and not being able to see family members for months at a time, 2020 has been a hard year for families, and especially for children,” said Peg Harriott, CSI President & CEO. “Please join CSI to help give local children and youth a holiday they will never forget despite the pandemic.”
Please join the Child Saving Institute (CSI) Guild to raise funds for vulnerable children in the Omaha community at its first-ever VIRTUAL PurseOnalities event on Thursday, November 5.
Attendees will enjoy a “Pretty in Pink” themed event with an opportunity to participate in an exclusive silent auction featuring over-the-top designer purse packages and hear from featured guest speaker Leigh Anne Tuohy.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). Accreditation demonstrates the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. COA evaluated all aspects of CSI’s programs, services, management and administration.
CSI provides fourteen services including: early childhood education, foster care, outpatient mental health therapy, family support, an emergency shelter, and more.
COA accreditation is an objective, independent and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice.
Designed with teachers and parents in mind, Half Hidden: A Book to Help Children Decipher Emotions Beneath the Mask, is a tool created by Child Saving Institute (CSI) employees Diana Shaw, LMHP, RPT and Michelle Halpine to assist with knowing how to help children and adults navigate emotions with their faces hidden behind a face covering.
The human face is a portal into the world of others and reading facial cues has a basis in survival. The emotional expression of others helps decipher important clues about what is happening. The face is so interesting, and important, that just nine minutes after birth, newborn babies prefer to look at faces than any other object. How can children read adult’s emotions, and how can adults interpret children’s emotions if their face, the portal to the world, is covered?
Child Saving Institute (CSI) recently received grants totaling $132,900 from United Way of the Midlands. Thanks, in part, to the generosity of United Way donors, CSI can continue offering free services to children who participate in the organization’s School & Family Enrichment (SAFE), KidSquad, Teen & Young Parent Program (TYPP) and Independent Living Skills (ILS) programs. United Way also provided funding to support the organization’s Emergency Shelter and Mental Health Services (Therapy) programs. Additionally, funds for COVID-19 response were included this year.
“We are extremely grateful for United Way’s support of critical programs for the prevention, intervention and healing of child abuse, neglect and trauma in the Omaha area,” said Peg Harriott, CSI President & CEO. “United Way donors should know that these funds help children and families in their own community find hope and healing.”
In response to these uncertain times, Child Saving Institute (CSI) made the very difficult decision to cancel its signature fundraising event, Cabaret 2020, and adjusted its annual Dough in the Toe fundraising appeal for the first time in the organization’s 128-year history.
Without these two primary fundraising efforts, the agency will face a negative financial impact. Despite the uncertainty that the community, state and nation face due to the COVID-19 outbreak, CSI continues services to those who need it most.
During stressful economic uncertainty, those who are most vulnerable will suffer the most. “We know that when stress within a family increases, incidents of domestic violence and child abuse can increase,” said CSI President & CEO, Peg Harriott. “We need to be there for those children who are isolated from their friends, their beloved teachers and their caring therapists,” she adds.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) recently received a grant totaling $5,000 from the Kum & Go Charitable Fund through the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Thanks to Kum & Go’s generosity, CSI can continue offering free services to young adults participating in its Independent Living Skills (ILS) program.
Each year, CSI’s ILS program supports approximately 70 vulnerable youth who are transitioning from foster care into unsupported adulthood.
Mutual of Omaha is partnering with five local organizations to support Read Across America Day. On Monday, March 2, nearly 70 Mutual of Omaha employees volunteered their time to read to children across the metro area.
This is the fourth consecutive year that Mutual of Omaha has participated in Read Across America Day partnering with Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) Early Childhood Education Centers to encourage children to read more and get them excited about reading.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has promoted Becky Bounds and Karla Sextro and hires new Marketing Director, Chelsey Haas.
Bounds joined CSI in early 2019 as the Adoption and Permanency Specialist Supervisor where she led a team dedicated to ensuring permanency for youth in the community. She received a promotion to Director of Child Welfare Services in November 2019.
Sextro joined CSI in March 2019 as a licensed independent mental health practitioner and licensed alcohol and drug counselor. In February 2020, Sextro was promoted to Director of Mental Health Services.
Haas joined CSI in October 2019 as the Director of Marketing. Haas is an experienced marketing and communications professional focused on the non-profit sector. Before joining CSI, Haas served as the Marketing and Communications Manager at PromiseShip in Omaha.
Child Saving Institute (CSI) has established a new Reception Center at its Mary Holland Campus, 4545 Dodge St. to provide a therapeutic environment for youth being charged with status or other minor offenses.
Status offenses include truancy, running away, possession of alcohol, ungovernable behavior, and other such conduct offenses that would not be crimes if they were adults.
The program operates in close collaboration with the Omaha Police Department and Douglas County Juvenile Probation. Law enforcement officers transport youth to the Reception Center, where they are met by a probation officer and CSI staff. CSI staff are able to address immediate needs, for food or clothing, for example, and assist in informing youth about the booking process.
Child Saving Institute's (CSI) Board of Directors and Guild Board rocked Cabaret 2019, held May 11 at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District. The sold-out event raised nearly $440,000 to help Omaha area children and families!
PurseOnalities Honors Hometown HeroesChild Saving Institute's (CSI) Guild Board will host it's annual PurseOnalities luncheon from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Hilton Omaha, 1001 Cass St. The theme is "Hometown Heroes."
Event Chairs are Seirra Burt, Sara DeMers, Gina McDevitt, and Carissa Schrager. Honorary Chair is Beth Schrager.
Special guest and keynote speaker is Patrick Friman, Ph.D., an unsung hero right here in Omaha. He serves as vice president of outpatient behavioral health services and clinical professor in the University of Nebraska School of Medicine pediatrics department.
Roger Keaton and Karla Sextro have joined the staff at Child Saving Institute (CSI).
With your help and the leadership of Adrienne Fay, the campaign exceeded its goal and raised more than $25,000!
Cameron arrived at Child Saving Institute's Emergency Shelter in fall 2018 with a negative mindset. He made it clear that he wanted to go home. He ran away with another Emergency Shelter resident four days after arriving. Two days later, Cameron turned himself in because he became extremely ill (he suffers from a recurring illness).
Upon returning, Cameron' behavior changed drastically. He became a role model for his peers, earned gold status daily, and exceeded expectations. He came to respect the staff and his peers. Cameron thrived when he could prove wrong anyone who doubted him. Read more!
Child Saving Institute (CSI) is very fortunate to have donors like you who are committed to helping children! Read more!
Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) Board of Directors and Guild Boardwill present its biggest fundraiser of the year — Cabaret 2019 — Saturday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, 222 N. 10 St., featuring the return of comedian Jeff Dye. Read more!
Oliver had a difficult time paying attention in class and, when he felt anxious, he would pick his skin until it bled. It turned out that a family friend had sexually abused him two years earlier, but attempts to engage Oliver in therapy at that time were unsuccessful... Learn more!
When Child Saving Institute Therapist Vanessa Summers begins working with a new client, she spends time building rapport with the child and family through active listening... Learn more!
Membership in the Child Saving Institute (CSI) Guild provides an easy way for you to help children and families find hope and healing. Joining the CSI Guild does not require a time commitment, only a commitment to ensuring that area kids and families receive the help they need... Learn more!
The Child Saving Institute's exciting Touch-A-Truck is a free event for the entire family where children can see and climb on "real life" vehicles! Then as fall approaches, check out PurseOnalities with New York Times Bestselling Author, Laura Schroff... Click for more details!
Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) AUNTYs group recently provided 450 copies of the book “I Love You Like Sunshine” to the agency’s Pediatric Social Work program (PEDS). The PEDS program promotes screening and early identification of risk factors... Read more
Beginning in February, every youth who arrives for a stay in Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) Emergency Shelter undergoes a mental health assessment by a CSI therapist as part of the intake process, according to Teffany Murphy... Read more
Micah was just 14 when he came to CSI’s Emergency Shelter. He arrived from the Douglas County Youth Center (DCYC), where he was held after making threats against his school, which expelled him. An assessment done by the DCYC upon intake showed that Micah would likely be a repeat offender... Read more
Child Saving Institute (CSI) is grateful to its extraordinary friends who support the children and families the agency serves.
Since January, CSI has wrapped up three distinct fundraisers. In total, generous donors provided $380,915 to help Omaha area children and families find hope and healing... Read more
For most people, the holidays are a time for joy and spending time with family.
For the kids staying in the Child Saving Institute (CSI) Emergency Shelter, however, it can be a time of loneliness and frustration as most cannot go home to celebrate.... Read more
Child Saving Institute's Emergency Shelter received a generous holiday gift in honor of Maureen Ricketts to provide a special holiday dinner for the youth in Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) shelter, knowing that it is hard to be away from family — particularly during the holidays... Read more
Cabaret 2018 — June 2
Foster Parent Orientation — March 19
FREE Parenting Workshop — Healthy Nutrition Feb. 14... Read more
Child Saving Institute supporters are extraordinarily kind and generous people!
Because of donors like you, CSI exceeded the holiday campaign goal to raise $125,000 in celebration of our 125th year in service... Read more
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