Grace Restores Her Self-Image

Grace was a victim of her husband’s abuse throughout her 20-year marriage. He blamed her for a brain injury that impaired her understanding. For years he would not allow Grace to groom herself or attend to her medical needs. Finally she ended up in the hospital, and the staff called Heartland Family Service.

When Grace arrived at our Safe Haven domestic abuse shelter, she wouldn’t look at anyone. She was so embarrassed with her appearance that she would not remove her stocking cap. When she finally took it off, her hair was so matted she was unable to comb through it. The staff had to cut the snarls out so they could wash her hair.

“The staff worked hard to help Grace ease into a normal life,” said Julee Fagan, Safe Haven program coordinator. “We showed her how to fix her hair; we gave her simple tasks; we taught her how to use money; and how to set up a doctor’s appointment. We taught her how to respond to people who might treat her badly. We continued to give Grace more complex assignments, and congratulate her on the way she figured things out for herself.”
Finally, Grace was strong enough to stand up for herself. The staff helped her find an apartment and a part-time job to supplement her disability income. They provided support and assistance through the program’s Safe at Home component. Now Grace is happy and content. She has friends and is able to set boundaries. She has a healthy new life.

To learn more about Heartland Family Service’s Domestic Abuse program, click here.
For more information, contact info@HeartlandFamilyService.org.

2011 Safe Haven Golf Event

• Fundraising total: $51,000
• Proceeds benefit our Safe Haven Domestic Abuse Emergency Shelter
• Event Chairpersons: Monty & Kara Habrock
The 18th annual Heartland Family Service Safe Haven Golf Event, held June 27 at Indian Creek Golf Course, raised an estimated $51,000 for victims of domestic abuse. The event was hosted by the Heartland Family Service Friends Guild and was sponsored by Arby’s Panda, Inc.; Kiewit Building Group, Inc.; Superior Honda and Acura of Omaha.

The 18-hole event began at 9:00 a.m. with registration followed by 29 teams that scattered across the course for the 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. A bagged lunch was provided at the turn. The golfers’ skills ranged from expert to fun-loving, and everyone enjoyed a nice afternoon on the beautiful Indian Creek course. The foursomes played through quickly and afterward enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and an awards ceremony. Monty and Kara Habrock served as event chairpersons. The Heartland Family Service Friends guild hosted the golf event. The guild provides volunteers and fundraising for Heartland Family Service programs. Mary Zlomke is the current guild president.

In addition to the Safe Haven concealed shelter, the Heartland Family Service domestic violence program includes a 24-hour crisis line, emergency intervention, assistance with medical attention and protection orders, counseling and support groups for women.

See more photos from this year’s Safe Haven Golf event click here

Program Updates

A huge thanks goes to local Kwik Shops for the second year of raising funds for Heartland Family Service! During the entire month of August, twenty-four stores in Omaha, Fremont and Council Bluffs held unique fundraisers — car washes, windshield washing, pie throws — competing with the other stores to raise the most money to contribute to the grand total. Together they raised $17,744.00 for our Ways to Work program.

The Heartland Family Service Junior Friends Program includes high school students in grades 10-12. The program focuses on community service within our agency to broaden the student’s awareness of the importance of volunteering and giving back. Junior Friends volunteer events occur at least once a month beginning in August. We welcome all ideas and input in order to make the volunteer events fun and worthwhile! Contact us at 402-552-7418 or ljorgensen@HeartlandFamilyService.org for more information. This is a great opportunity for teens to make a difference!

Strike A Chord 7

• Fundraising total: $70,000
• Proceeds benefit our programs and services in Southwest Iowa
• Host Couple: Josh & Shelly Guttau
A western theme provided the fun at the seventh annual Heartland Family Service Strike A Chord fundraiser, which raised nearly $70,000 for children and families in southwest Iowa. The event was held Friday, August 5, at Harrah’s Convention Center and included dueling pianos, a wine pull, a celebrity art auction, live and silent auctions and a raffle sponsored by Wal-mart Foundation and Harrah’s Stir Concert Cove.

Josh and Shelley Guttau of Treynor served as host couple, celebrating their 11th anniversary at the event. Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber (a.k.a “Marshal Matt”) served as Master of Ceremonies. The audience raised donations to coax Matt to sing the songs of their choice.

A highlight of the evening included an art contest of original works by Celebrity Artists—local “saloon” owners who adorned large pilsner glasses. Brandon Juon from Glory Days won the People’s Choice Award. Other artists included Frank Hoover from Venue 162, Matt Johnson from Barley’s, Jon Nelson from Cellar 19 and Nate Noon from Fiddlin’ Monkey.

Thanks again to the event sponsors who made the evening possible: Ameristar Casino Hotel, Classic Chevrolet-Cadillac and Full Throttle Motorsports, Edwards-Subaru Hyundai, Harrah’s Casino & Hotel and Horseshoe Casino, J. Development Company, Lake Manawa Nissan-Kia and Automart 150, Pearce Financial Services, TS Bank and the Wal-mart Foundation.

To see more photos from this year’s Strike A Chord event click here.

HFS Earns BBB Integrity Award

HFS Earns BBB Integrity Award We at Heartland Family Service are thrilled and humbled by our selection as a Winner of the 2011 Better Business Bureau Integrity Award. Unlike other awards, the BBB Integrity Awards focus on demonstrated ethical business practices, rather than a company’s growth, profitability or popularity. Five organizations were recognized. Heartland Family Service was selected in the Charity Category by an independent panel of distinguished community judges for the following reasons:
• Commitment to serve the most at-risk populations of our community with the highest quality of services, regardless of a client’s ability to pay.
• A healthy, productive work environment that encourages continuous quality improvement while addressing the stress that is inherent in the helping profession.
• A strong organizational culture that is committed to a values-based system that supports employees and clients and facilitates the positive resolution of extraordinary ethical dilemmas that occur daily.
• Earnest stewardship of the dollars
Click here to learn more.

Adopt A Family

Want to help others for the holidays? We are now recruiting donors to adopt families in need. The Adopt A Family program helps families with clothing and gifts they couldn’t otherwise afford during the holiday season. This is a great way to gather your family and friends to do something good for others during the holidays! If you are unable to adopt a family but would still like to help, monetary donations and gift cards are always appreciated.

We hope you will help us by adopting a family. Register with by October 24 and contact us at 402-552-7418 or ljorgensen@HeartlandFamilyService.org. In November, you will receive a family’s name and their wish list. The drop-off dates for these gifts are December 5th and 6th.