‘It brought me back into society’: Looking at the impact of Omaha’s homeless encampment pilot program

The city of Omaha’s encampment pilot program wraps up April 30. Program leaders say the goal is not just to close encampments but to help people find resources. KETV Newswatch 7 caught up with some people the city says it was able to help through the program.From picking up trash to voicing her opinion, Victoria Sequeira cares about her community.”If you’re going to complain about something, and you don’t put your foot forward to make an attempt to change it, you’re just complaining,” Sequeira said.’A new tool in our toolbox’: Omaha’s encampment pilot program comes to a close, leaders say they’ll continue effortsShe’s listened to complaints about seeing homeless people in Omaha and has some thoughts.”Until you’re put in that situation, you don’t understand the humbleness that comes with it. For somebody who had everything to have nothing, it’s hard. For somebody who can just go in the fridge and grab some water, somebody who has to go and find water,” Sequeira said.After being homeless for six months, Sequeira now lives in an apartment. She’s neighbors with Michael Corby, who was homeless for six years.”I was busy recycling, that’s how I made my money. And before I knew it, I hadn’t seen my kids in over six years until after I got a place to stay,” Corby said.They both got housing thanks to help from Omaha’s encampment pilot program. The city partnered with Threshold COC to clear encampments and find much-needed resources for people. “The push of her and helping people stay forward is why we’re here right now,” Sequeira said.She’s talking about Tamara Dwyer, Omaha’s homeless services coordinator.”It’s really important to see people as they are in that moment and what they need,” Dwyer said.Dwyer learned those lessons when she was a teenager.”I had absolutely no support. My mom and dad couldn’t help me. I didn’t even know where they were half the time,” Dwyer said.She experienced homelessness well into her 20s as well.”A few months here, a few months there, a couple weeks. Stayed in a car, couch surfing, trying to find somewhere for my kids, because there was … you know, not a lot of money,” Dwyer said. Through her career, she’s met people with similar experiences.”I didn’t have any money. I didn’t have anybody to help me get out of these situations and knowing that the majority of folks are experiencing that, too, so just being able to show up for someone and maybe just being able to help them problem solve,” Dwyer said.That problem-solving has helped others get back on their feet.”It brought me back into society. I was trapped. I would have never got out of there if she hadn’t come along and did what she did,” Corby said. Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |