Read the full article on KETV 7
ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING AT OMAHA’S SIENA FRANCIS HOUSE. THE SHELTER SERVES THREE MEALS A DAY AND NEVER CLOSES, AND IT’S A GOOD THING THEIR VOLUNTEER FORCE IS ALSO GROWING. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S JULIE CORNELL LOOKS AT THE IMPACT AND HOW YOU AND YOUR WORKPLACE CAN HELP. WHETHER IT’S SCOOPING ICE FOR A COOL DRINK. OR OFFERING HANDS TO SERVE A HOT MEAL EVERY SINGLE DAY, DOZENS OF VOLUNTEERS ARE LINING UP FOR OMAHA’S MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION. THOSE WITHOUT PERMANENT HOUSING, THEY’RE LIVING AT THE SIENA FRANCIS HOUSE SINCE 2023. THEIR SHELTER BED NIGHTS HAVE INCREASED BY 20,000 NIGHTS OVER THERE. THAT MEANS THEY NEED MORE MUSCLE TO KEEP THE PLACE RUNNING, WHICH MEANS THEY NEED MORE MEALS. THEY NEED MORE MATERIAL ASSISTANCE, AND VOLUNTEERS ARE CRUCIAL TO HELPING US GET ALL OF THIS DONE. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINDA TOOMEY IS THRILLED WITH VOLUNTEER NUMBERS OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS. UP 25% TO SERVE THE GROWING POPULATION. SO THAT’S MORE THAN 3200 VOLUNTEERS. LAST YEAR ALONE. THOSE FOLKS WORKING MORE THAN 17,000 HOURS LAST YEAR, THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS SAVED THE SHELTER $600,000. SO THAT’S MONEY THAT CAN BE USED FOR THERAPY, TREATMENT AND CLASSES, ALL TO GET PEOPLE BACK UP AND RUNNING AGAIN. MIA MORRISSEY IS A LONGTIME VOLUNTEER. GETTING PEOPLE HERE IS LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. SHE WORKS IN HEALTH CARE AT UNMC AND IN THIS DINING ROOM, SHE HAS A NICKNAME, THE NARCAN LADY. MIA CAME UP WITH HER OWN WAY TO VOLUNTEER. SHE HANDS OUT NARCAN, THE OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUG, DURING SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER. WE ARE ABLE TO HAND IT OUT WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CARRY IT BECAUSE ANYONE CAN BE A BYSTANDER IN THE PANTRY. SCHOOL GROUPS STOCK SHELVES, BUT SOME VOLUNTEERS ARE ALL FUN AND GAMES. WE HAVE FOLKS THAT DO ARTS AND CRAFTS. WE HAVE FOLKS THAT PLAY MUSIC. WE HAVE FOLKS THAT PLAY BINGO WITH OUR GUESTS IN THE CLOTHING CLOSET. WE JUST GOT A DONATION IN, SO WE’RE JUST LABELING SIZES ON THEM, AND THEN WE’LL GO STOCK THE SHELVES BECAUSE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE STARTS WITH SERVING BASIC DAILY NEEDS. AFTER THAT, HEALING AND GROWTH CAN BEGIN. I THINK THAT JUST LENDING YOUR HAND TO YOUR FELLOW HUMAN IS ALWAYS A BENEFICIAL THING. SIENA FRANCIS OFFERS THAT RESPITE FROM THE STREETS AND A CHANCE TO RESTART IN A COMMUNITY THAT CARES, AND VOLUNTEERS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE, ONE PERSON AT A TIME. JULIE CORNELL. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN. THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO VOLUNTEER AT SIENA FRANCIS. WE WILL POST A LINK TO THEIR PORTAL ON KETV.COM. WE WELCOME GROUP
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Volunteers step up to support growing needs at Omaha’s Siena Francis House
Volunteer hours would add up to more than $600,000
More than 400 people sleep at Omaha’s Siena Francis House every night, and the shelter’s growing volunteer force is helping meet the needs of its expanding homeless population. Since 2023, the shelter has seen an increase of 20,000 bed nights, requiring more resources to keep operations running smoothly. “Which means they need more meals, they need more material assistance, and volunteers are crucial to making sure we get this all done,” said Executive Director Linda Twomey. Twomey said volunteer numbers have risen by 25% over the past couple of years, with more than 3,200 volunteers contributing over 17,000 hours last year. Their work saves the shelter money. They’re volunteer hours that would be worth more than $600,000 if the shelter had to pay for additional workers said Twomey. It’s money that can be used to fund therapy, treatment, and classes to get people back to thriving again.Mia Morrisey, a longtime volunteer who works in healthcare at UNMC, has found her own way to contribute. Known as “the Narcan lady” in the dining room, Morrisey distributes Narcan, an overdose reversal drug, during Saturday night dinners. “We are able to hand it out, no questions asked. We encourage everyone to carry it, no questions asked, because anyone can be a bystander,” Morrisey said. Morrisey is most proud of bringing co-workers to the shelter to run activities, do blood pressure checks or host barbecue dinners. Volunteers at Siena Francis House contribute in various ways, from stocking shelves in the pantry to organizing arts and crafts, playing music, and hosting bingo games for clients. “We have folks that do arts and crafts, play music, do bingo with our clients,” said Lilly Black, volunteer coordinator. Black said volunteers can create their own opportunities. There are very few limits. In the clothing closet, volunteers sort and label donations to ensure clients have access to essential items. “We just got a donation in, so we are labeling sizes and we’ll go stock the shelves,” one volunteer said. Providing basic daily needs is the first step toward healing and growth for those served by the shelter. “I think that just lending a hand to your fellow human is also a beneficial thing,” Morrisey said. Siena Francis House offers respite from the streets and a chance to restart in a community that cares. Volunteers play a critical role in this mission. “We’re making a difference one person at a time,” Twomey said. The shelter welcomes groups and individuals to volunteer, whether for a single visit or on a recurring basis.To learn more click on this link: Volunteer at Siena Francis House
More than 400 people sleep at Omaha’s Siena Francis House every night, and the shelter’s growing volunteer force is helping meet the needs of its expanding homeless population.
Since 2023, the shelter has seen an increase of 20,000 bed nights, requiring more resources to keep operations running smoothly. “Which means they need more meals, they need more material assistance, and volunteers are crucial to making sure we get this all done,” said Executive Director Linda Twomey.
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Twomey said volunteer numbers have risen by 25% over the past couple of years, with more than 3,200 volunteers contributing over 17,000 hours last year.
Their work saves the shelter money. They’re volunteer hours that would be worth more than $600,000 if the shelter had to pay for additional workers said Twomey. It’s money that can be used to fund therapy, treatment, and classes to get people back to thriving again.
Mia Morrisey, a longtime volunteer who works in healthcare at UNMC, has found her own way to contribute. Known as “the Narcan lady” in the dining room, Morrisey distributes Narcan, an overdose reversal drug, during Saturday night dinners. “We are able to hand it out, no questions asked. We encourage everyone to carry it, no questions asked, because anyone can be a bystander,” Morrisey said.
Morrisey is most proud of bringing co-workers to the shelter to run activities, do blood pressure checks or host barbecue dinners.
Volunteers at Siena Francis House contribute in various ways, from stocking shelves in the pantry to organizing arts and crafts, playing music, and hosting bingo games for clients. “We have folks that do arts and crafts, play music, do bingo with our clients,” said Lilly Black, volunteer coordinator. Black said volunteers can create their own opportunities. There are very few limits.
In the clothing closet, volunteers sort and label donations to ensure clients have access to essential items. “We just got a donation in, so we are labeling sizes and we’ll go stock the shelves,” one volunteer said.
Providing basic daily needs is the first step toward healing and growth for those served by the shelter. “I think that just lending a hand to your fellow human is also a beneficial thing,” Morrisey said.
Siena Francis House offers respite from the streets and a chance to restart in a community that cares. Volunteers play a critical role in this mission. “We’re making a difference one person at a time,” Twomey said.
The shelter welcomes groups and individuals to volunteer, whether for a single visit or on a recurring basis.
To learn more click on this link: Volunteer at Siena Francis House
