Max Remembers How to Smile

Our Senior Center director received a frantic call from a woman who was looking for a place for her father, Max, to go during the day. He had suffered a stroke two years ago and had become severely depressed. His wife was still working full-time, and she could not leave Max alone any longer.

Max could manage his own medications, but his speech was compromised and he wouldn’t talk to anyone anymore—including his family. He was losing interest in everything. Max didn’t need a lot of care, but he desperately needed to be engaged in life. Max’s oldest daughter took him to our Senior Center for a visit, and was delighted to see that he showed some interest in the activities. This was the first time in two years she had seen a glimpse of who her father used to be. He liked the warm food and got a kick out of Johnny Ray Gomez’s musical show— that day’s special entertainment.

Max decided to join our Senior Center and began attending every weekday. He has made several friends and enjoys playing card games with them and going on the scheduled outings. Nowadays, Max smiles often and responds well to people who talk to him. He is eager to tell newcomers, “The Heartland Family Service Senior Center saved my life.” Max has improved so much that he was recently able to join his family on an overseas vacation to his homeland. Before he attended the Center, no one in his family believed that he would be able to join them on this very special trip. But Max has “returned” home again, and has found a renewed sense of life.

To learn more about the Heartland Family Service Senior Center, visit: www.HeartlandFamilyService. org/learn/seniorcenter. For more information, contact the Senior Center Program Director, Karen Sides, at ksides@HeartlandFamilyService.org or (402) 553-5300.

2011 Comedy Night

• Net Total Raised: $38,000
• Hilarious audience participation!
• Proceeds benefit the Jefferson House Children’s Emergency Shelter

The Amazing Arthur Fratelli entertained the house at the 7th annual “Stand Up for Kids” Comedy Night on January 29. Alice and Ken McElhose and Fern and Dale Olson served as Honorary Co-chairmen. Valmont Industries, the Debby Durham Family Foundation, First Lutheran Church, Alice and Ken McElhose and Dr. Steve Wendt sponsored the event. Guests enjoyed cocktails and conversation as they perused a wide variety of silent auction items generously donated by Fremont area businesses, individuals and families. Jefferson House Advisory Board President Jeff Hoffman welcomed the guests and opened the program. First Lady Sally Ganem followed, as well as Chris Sewall, program director for the Jefferson House. Former Jefferson House client, Katie, brought the crowd to their feet as she told the story of her amazing journey. After dinner, Taylor & Martin auctioneer Joel Marreel led an energetic live auction.

Proceeds from this event benefit the Heartland Family Service Jefferson House, a residential shelter for abused children and a group home serving Fremont and surrounding communities.

Click here to see more photos from this year’s Jefferson House Comedy Night

Program Updates

We are delighted to announce that our Healthy Alternatives for Little Ones (HALO) program is now listed on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) as worthy of national recognition and distribution. The NREPP recognition validated HALO’s effectiveness through evidence presented by two research studies. We have built a strong HALO network in the Omaha metro and Southwest Iowa area—to date, our HALO staff has trained 731 early childhood centers and 16,606 children have been empowered through HALO to make healthy choices for their futures.

Youth Links is a short-term “triage” facility designed to keep youth out of detention and returned appropriately to the community. By combining a variety of services under one roof, youth benefit from swift, efficient and effective services that address their individual needs. Due to changes in legislation, Youth Links is expanding its capacity to decrease the number of youth in detention; to provide a safe place for status offenders; and to provide resources to youth without making them state wards. Youth Links capacity will increase to 26 beds.

The 2011 Gala – “Carnival of Love”

• Estimated Fundraising Total: $200,000
• Co-Chairmen: Shelley Siemers & Jayne Timmerman
• Record-breaking raffle ticket sales – $6,000

Special thanks goes to more than 460 guests who supported Heartland Family Service at our fourth annual “Carnival of Love” gala fundraiser on February 19. Volunteers spent two days transforming the Embassy Suites-La Vista ballroom into a spirited midway. Guests said they were thrilled with the outstanding décor and games, and especially pleased to wear jeans and dress comfortably. Mary Williams served as our Mistress of Ceremonies, and Jim Schaben called the auction.

Gala co-chairs were Shelley Siemers and Jayne Timmerman, who together with our Friends Guild volunteers—led by President Dianne Scott—helped to plan and conduct the event. Board chairman Jeff Huber told guests how essential this agency is to the well-being of our community. For example, just one program—our ASAP mental health crisis response team, funded by Region 6 Behavioral Health Care tax dollars—has already saved more than $884,000 in emergency hospital costs for persons with mental health crises. The program is so successful that it has expanded to Cass County in Nebraska, and is now being replicated with separate funding in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Click here to see more photos from this year’s gala.

Thanks for your support!

Nominate a Family!

Our community is full of strong families. You probably know at least one who should be nominated for our annual Salute to Families Awards program, celebrated this fall in both Council Bluffs and Omaha. We accept nominations from the public, and the selections are made by a committee of community volunteers. Categories are Challenged and Successful, Community Service, Leadership and Commitment to Family. Nominations are easy, by mail or on online. The deadline is May 1, 2011. Click here to nominate a family via email.
Click here to learn more or call (402) 553-3000 in Omaha or (712) 322-1407 in Southwest Iowa.

Upcoming Events

Senior Prom
April 3, 2011 @ 4:00 pm
The Field Club
402.552.7418

Safe Haven Golf Event
June 27, 2011 @11:00 am
Indian Creek Golf Course
402.552.7424

Stike A Chord 7
August 5, 2011 @ 6:00 pm
Harrah’s, Council Bluffs
402.552.7424