Heart Ministry Center

Heart Ministry's a way forward program supports omaha community members to obtain long term financial independence. All community members who participate in a way forward are assigned a Heart Ministry Center navigator. The navigator completes an evidence based self-sufficiency assessment with each community member and this assessment helps the community member understand their barriers to self-sufficiency and the assessment also guides goal setting. Navigators then work collaboratively with community members to achieve their goals in areas including employment, public benefits, budgeting, housing and transportation.

Heart Ministry's food distribution program is the largest of its kind in Nebraska & provides free food for omaha community members. Covid has necessitated moving food distribution operations outdoors, so in 2020 and 2021, community members received their food outdoors with drive through service. Once normal operations resume, community members will once again shop in Heart Ministry's grocery area where those participating can choose the food during their personalized shopping experience. Our choice food distribution experience nurtures both dignity and relationship. Through these food distribution relationships, we are able to share the campus full of resources that our now 27,000 square campus represents with our ultimate goal being meeting people where they are & journeying into self-sufficiency.

Heart Ministry's fresh start program provides intensive support for omaha community members so they can break cycles of unemployment, addiction, toxic relationships and mental health issues. If a participant makes it through the 3 week trial period, they are assigned a fresh start facilitator & participate in programming 6 days a week (34 hours weekly) for 16-20 weeks on the Heart Ministry Center campus. This programming includes skill building groups, work in the Heart Ministry Center food distribution area, budgeting (bills are paid during the period by the Center), & job placement. The evolution of fresh start is our social enterprise laundromat. This business unit created 3 jobs and a viable good/service for both community utilization & improvement. Fresh start laundromat generates $9k in monthly revenue.