We are excited to share that our Continuum of Care (CoC) has been awarded nearly $3 million through the federal Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) to be implemented starting March 1st.

Our work relies on understanding the perspectives of those who have previously experienced homelessness. This month, Board Member and Youth Advisory Board President Izzy Vargas shares her story.

On World Day of Social Justice, we pause to reflect not only on our values as a community but on the stark reality facing millions of our neighbors here in the U.S. and across the globe. At Threshold CoC, we believe that housing is not just a need, it is a fundamental human right. Ending homelessness is not an act of charity. It is the foundation of a just and thriving society.

You can directly support your neighbors by donating the items our outreach team distributes during the PIT Count. We’ve made it easy to give by purchasing from our Amazon Wishlist, donating new or unused winter gear, hygiene supplies, or shelf-stable snacks, supporting our work with a financial gift.

Over the past several months, Threshold CoC and multiple community partners have worked closely with the City of Omaha Mayor’s Office to transform community dialogue into meaningful action in the form of a city-wide pilot program centered on accurate, local data. Visit OMA-EPP.org.

This year brought many changes to our CoC, from new opportunities to new challenges. While the work continues, we want to share our milestones and highlight the impact the local Continuum of Care has made in our community.

During our region’s coldest months, several of our community partners host warming centers across the metro area. Each facility has its own requirements, services, and daily capacities so we recommend staying tuned to each organization’s social media channels for information and updates and calling for availability.

The good news is clear: our community’s coordinated response to homelessness is working. In the past year alone, 57% of households experiencing unsheltered homelessness were exited into housing or safe settings through Street Outreach.

October 10th is World Homeless Day – a day to raise awareness about the urgent issue of homelessness, challenge misconceptions, and to support practical solutions that ensure everyone has a safe place to call home.

Across the country and right here in Omaha, more and more people are working full-time, even multiple jobs, and still cannot afford a safe, affordable place to live.

This year, Project Connect will be held on October 21 at Baxter Arena and include: Healthcare & Wellness Services, Legal Aid, Medicaid & Disability Benefits Application Assistance, Housing & Shelter, Workforce Assistance

Threshold CoC’s Street Outreach team is on the ground meeting people where they are—in encampments, on sidewalks, under bridges, and in alleyways. Our team provides basic necessities such as water, snacks, and hygiene supplies while also building relationships rooted in dignity and trust.

PTSD symptoms fall into four categories: reliving or re-experiencing the event, avoiding things or places that remind you of the event, negative changes in beliefs and feelings, and hypervigilance. Especially untreated, PTSD symptoms can impact a person’s ability to remain housed.

To prevent exposure to dangerous conditions, several of our community partners host cooling centers during our region’s hottest months. Each facility has its own requirements, services, and daily capacities so we recommend staying tuned to each organization’s social media channels for information and calling ahead to confirm Cooling Center availability.

Mental health challenges can make it difficult to hold a job, maintain relationships, or navigate social services. Once someone becomes unhoused, accessing care becomes even harder, furthering the cycle.

Every April, Fair Housing Month is observed to commemorate the passing of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. This important legislation was a critical step in ensuring that individuals and families could live in safe, affordable, and accessible homes, free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.

Access Points are designated locations within a community where people experiencing homelessness can get immediate help. These hubs serve as a gateway to a wide array of services from local providers, including shelter, food, healthcare, as well as support for long-term self-sustainability.

At Threshold CoC, our board members are a driving force behind our mission, guiding strategic decisions that strengthen our community’s response to homelessness. Their collective expertise spans a wide array of sectors, including local government, funding organizations, activist groups, service providers, and leadership roles within the community.

As 2024 ends and temperatures start to freeze, we must consider people living unhoused and their safety. During this time, we encourage you to be vigilant in looking out for our unhoused neighbors.

During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, we look at how hunger and homelessness are connected. More than 580,000 people experience homelessness every night in the U.S., while nearly 37 million Americans struggle with hunger.