Family Shelter
The People's City Mission Family Shelter was opened in 1985, and is dedicated to the needs of homeless families, women and children experiencing some form of personal crisis. Common problems include domestic violence, unemployment, eviction, or lack of affordable housing. The Family Shelter offers guests a safe, warm atmosphere that promotes recovery, self-sufficiency and independent living. It also serves as a place of refuge for battered women and children.

The Family Shelter has 160 dormitory beds and can accommodate single parent families, intact families, and families that include teen-age boys. In addition, there are transitional housing rooms, similar to those in the Curtis Center for men, that can accommodate 12 women. Our two-story facility provides a day nursery area, indoor and outdoor play areas for children, several lounges, bathrooms and showers, laundry facilities, a dining room, chapel, library and workout facilities.

As part of their stay, guests are provided with three meals a day, clean clothing, personal hygiene items, employment assistance, mail services, and telephone services, including long distance calls. Guests who are working can receive sack lunches. We provide personal counseling, access to legal advice, transportation assistance, case management, referral services, and drug testing when necessary. We cooperate with Drug Court and Health and Human Services. All guests are encourage to participate in Bible Studies and chapel services held on Mission property.

Club E.D.E.F.Y. and E.D.E.F.Y. Jr.
Encouragement, Discipleship, Evangelism, and Fellowship for Youth
Homeless children have special emotional and social needs. Recognizing this, we provide morning, afternoon, after school and holiday programming for our children that is supervised by caring adults and volunteers. The goal is to provide a safe, structured and developmentally appropriate environment, which allows youth to extend their learning.

Pre-school children attend E.D.E.F.Y. Jr. which is held from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the child care area of the Family Shelter. School-age children and youth attend Club E.D.E.F.Y. in our recreation building, located north of the Family Shelter.

Activities include games, crafts, field trips, various activities, snacks, tutoring, Bible Studies, and other age-appropriate things. Tami Thornton and Aaron Collins are the staff in charge of these programs. Volunteers are welcome to participate. Please contact Tami or Aaron at edefy@peoplescitymission.org.

Homeless Intervention Center,
HIS Center for Men
The HIS Center provides overnight housing for men seven days a week. We have 104 bunks plus space for mattresses on the floor, when necessary. HIS Center guests have access to the Agape Café during the day. The HIS Center was remodeled in 2008.

HIS Center guests are provided with a bed, three meals each day, showers, clean clothing, personal hygiene items, employment assistance, laundry facilities, mail services and access to legal assistance. Guests who are working can get a lunch bag. Our men have access to one-on-one counseling, various classes and are encouraged to participate in Bible Studies and chapel services.

Sheltering homeless men was the main reason that People's City Mission was established in 1907. Our men struggle with homelessness, isolation, health issues, eviction, addictions, depression and other mental health issues, job loss, and educational deficits. A significant number of our men are veterans.

People's City Mission works with many different types of men, encouraging each to make progress in a manner that best fits his situation. Regardless of the problem, we believe there is hope and opportunity for everyone coming through our doors.

Many men can move into economic self-sufficiency if they receive the right type of assistance, guidance and encouragement. People's City Mission offers a hand up, not just a handout. We continue to work with people to meet their physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs, and do this through the support of thousands of individuals in our community.

DayWatch
People's City Mission has opened its doors to homeless and non-homeless men who need a place to stay during the day. Those who formerly used Day Watch are welcome to come to the Agape Café during the day and share in the services provided for HIS Center guests, listed above.

Curtis Center for Transitional Living
In January 2008, People's City Mission opened the Curtis Center, a supportive, transitional housing center for 60 men. The Curtis Center is a secure building with private sleeping rooms. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave and sink and is wired for basic cable TV services. Other amenities include laundry facilities, three congregate meals, a community lounge, a library for reading or study, two outdoor courtyards, and 24-hour staff. Men must apply and be accepted into this program. The maximum stay is 24 months. Rent is $313 per month.

Each man in the Curtis Center is enrolled in the Genesis Project, a pathway to hope and healing, and selects one of the four tracks for study: Spiritual, Vocational, Recovery or Educational. Each track includes classes, counseling and services designed to promote emotional health and economic self-sufficiency. Curtis Center guests are eligible for part-time, temporary employment at People's City Mission to enable them to create a work history.

Distribution Center
The Distribution Center is located at 2101 N Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. The Distribution Center makes items such as food, clothing, personal care needs, furniture and household goods available at no charge to the poor and near homeless. It is open Monday through Friday. You can also bring donations on Saturday morning.

In 2007, the Mission distributed 537,045 pounds of food (bread, produce, fresh meat and canned goods); 318,281 articles of clothing; 12,674 pieces of furniture; and 411,458 household items. These efforts helped nearly 20,000 people in the city.

Many of the people coming to the Distribution Center are living at or below the poverty line. They include people who are refugees, unemployed or under-employed, physically and mentally handicapped, struggling with affordable housing, and/or unable to earn a living wage. We estimate that 12 to 15% of our population is living in poverty.

Free Health Clinic
Our goal for 2008 is to remodel the former HIS Center building and open a free health clinic to serve our guests and the uninsured and medically under-served in Lincoln.

74% of homeless and near-homeless men do not have a regular physician. Studies show that 12.3% of Nebraskans had no healthcare coverage in 2007.

Health problems often impair an individual's ability to work and provide support for him/her self and other family members. Health care can be a significant financial burden to many of those we serve. In 2007, we served nearly 2,000 homeless men, women and children and an additional 20,000 low-income residents of Lincoln.

Providing health care is part of our vision – Christ shared, physical and personal needs met, dignity and hope restored.

Beth Vavrina is the project manager for the Free Health Clinic. If you would like to be a donor, clinic volunteer or to help in some other way, please contact Beth at 402-475-1303 or bvavrina@peoplecitymission.org.