Welcome to November! When you changed your clocks, did you check your batteries in your smoke and CO detectors? We want you to be safe!
Our first guest today is Mike Saklar of the Sienna Francis House. He’s the director. The Siena Francis House was started by two nuns and their attorney but it is not denominational. This is one of the regions largest homeless shelter. It’s running at full capacity.
The Siena Francis House helps men and women and since their inception has grown and moved into larger facilities. Due to the economy, Mike says the Siena Francis house could use more room.
There are no conditions set on those needing shelter at the Siena Francis House.
Mike says there are those who are temporarily homeless, from a job loss or a divorce, for example, then there are those who have drug abuse issues who are in and out of homelessness, and those who are chronically homeless – with mental health issues and physical health issues.
An alcohol and drug treatment center as well as mental health care are availble on the Siena Francis house campus.
www.sienafrancis.org is the website if you would like more information.
The average age of homeless being served is rising, Mike says ten years ago, it was 35, now it’s 45, and there is an influx of women with small children. Domestic violence is the primary cause of the homelessness with women and children.
Job loss, cut hours, inaffordable housing are factors impacting the increase of homelessness in the Omaha metro area.
Single men are increasingly finding their ways into homeless shelters. Mike says many of those folks have grown up in dysfunctional homes and have not developed stability themselves.
A lot of young people who have grown out of the foster care system end up in homeless shelters.
Cancer takes a toll on families and family’s finances, sometimes homes are taken to pay hospital bills and then the survivors are out on the streets.
Substance abuse is a big factor in homelessness. Meth has turned businessmen and those with promising careers turned into addicts and homeless.
Needs of the Siena Francis house – certainly canned goods, food, winter clothing, TOILET PAPER! as well as other paper products. Laundry detergent, sanitation supplies.
About five percent comes from governement sources, another 10 percent from community foundations, the rest is from donations.
Clothing, other items are welcome. 1111 N. 17th Street is a drop off point. There is a need for larger sized clothing as well. Food donations are accepted at the same location.
Christmas is celebrated at Siena Francis house, so gift items are certainly appreciated as well.
To contact Mike, go to sienafrancis.org or call 402- 341-1821.
Lots of needs, if you’re led to help, please do so.
Susan Eustace with the Salvation Army is here, and their tree with lots of improvments, will be lit on November 13th. Santa, live reindeer, snacks from Jimmy Johns and hot chocolate near American National Bank at 90th and Dodge, northeast corner. Please check their website for details.
Bellringing starts this weekend, the Kroc center opens, lots more, please check their website on this page.
Sign up for Christmas assistance this week as well on Wednesday – 3612 Cumming street, please bring ID. 898-5860 for more information.
Susan says numbers of those needing help is up, donations are down, approximatly 30 percent. Many new people – who have never had to have assistance before. Many people’s reserves are depleted and then an emergency thows them into needing assistance.
Volunteer bell ringers are being sought. Please check the website or the phone number listed above.
September’s Note:
No matter how hard we try to do the right thing, we can’t always prevent bad things from happening in our body. We should do the best we can to take care of ourselves, but we will still always need God to be our Healer.