Thanks to the generosity of UWM donors, the agency will be able to continue offering this life-changing services, offering community-based, outpatient and residential treatment and counseling, education, and prevention services for individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges and substance use disorders, and other chronic mental illnesses. These programs are designed to improve the psychological, emotional, and social functioning of individuals, children, and families through an integrated and comprehensive system of professional therapeutic services, as well as give them the skills and knowledge necessary to overcome life challenges.
With the help of this grant, the Professional Counseling/Behavioral Health programs can continue to assist clients in abstaining from substance use, to establish healthy living environments, and to achieve behavioral, emotional, and/or attitudinal changes to improve their overall well-being.
The Heartland Family Service Professional Counseling and Behavioral Health programs help clients like Desta, who experienced severe childhood trauma, which caused her to begin using substances and having encounters with law enforcement. With the Family Works and Mental Health Counseling programs at Heartland Family Service, Desta was able to find counseling and support groups that helped her to push herself to grow and find new ways of coping with her past substance use issues and the trauma she had endured.
“Heartland Family Service is so thankful for this generous grant from United Way of the Midlands,” said John Jeanetta, President & CEO of Heartland Family Service. “The grant will help us to continue offering our life-changing services to the many we serve in the Professional Counseling/Behavioral Health programs.”
About United Way of the Midlands:
For the past 99 years, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has used its community-wide perspective to identify local needs that are going unseen or unmet – and how it can partner with corporate, government organizations, nonprofits and donors to tackle them. Today, UWM remains committed to uniting our community’s caring spirit to build a stronger tomorrow. It invests donor dollars in more than 100 local nonprofit programs that, together, form a circle of support around our community. These programs are addressing pressing social and economic disparities and providing the essentials families need to thrive, such as healthy food, a safe place to go after school and job support.
About Heartland Family Service:
Since 1875, Heartland Family Service has responded to the needs of our area’s most vulnerable children and families. Last year, our agency connected with over 140,000 individuals through direct services, education, and outreach. Our programs serve individuals of all ages — from infants in our Family Works program to seniors in our Generations Community Center. We operate from 19 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. We provide critical human services to the individuals and families who ultimately shape the future of our community through the following program areas: Child & Family Well-Being, Counseling & Prevention, and Housing, Safety, & Financial Stability.