Caring for the Omaha area’s most vulnerable

Our Programs

mother and child in emergency shelter at stephen center omaha

Shelter that Keeps a Family Together

Stephen Center’s Pettigrew Emergency Shelter is the only shelter in the Omaha area that keeps families together when seeking a place to stay. We provide safe shelter and case management for individuals and all types of family dynamics without separation.

recovery support at stephen center omaha

HERO Substance Abuse Treatment

Stephen Center’s HERO Addiction Recovery program provides short-term and long-term treatment for individuals facing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, helping them overcome barriers to lasting recovery.

father child looking out rainy window

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Stephen Center’s Permanent Supportive Housing program provides affordable housing and case management for individuals and families facing high barriers, including mental health challenges and physical disabilities, ensuring long-term stability and support.

mom and baby in emergency shelter at stephen center omaha

Emergency Shelter

We provide safe and sober shelter for men, women, and families on a first-come, first-served basis. The Pettigrew Emergency Shelter includes 32 beds for men, 32 beds for
women, and 5 family rooms.

Preserving the family unit is a fundamental aspect of our approach, playing a crucial role in achieving positive, successful outcomes for the families we serve. As such, we support family units of all types.

As a proud partner of the Omaha Metro Area Continuum of Care, our Emergency Shelter operates 24 hours a day, with staff available around the clock to support our clients.

Client intake occurs between the hours of 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Services

Upon entering our Emergency Shelter, clients are assigned a dedicated Case Manager. Our Case Management team works closely with clients to set and achieve a wide variety of goals, which may include securing income, accessing mental health services, finding stable housing, employment, or obtaining a driver’s license or state ID.

Clients staying at our shelter have access to three meals a day, essential hygiene items, clothing, a computer lab, bus tickets, on-campus healthcare services, and more. Clients are encouraged to utilize our partnerships with other agencies as well.

Rules & Guidelines

Stephen Center is a sober campus, and clients are expected to adhere to all rules, policies, and procedures as a condition of their stay.

As part of the intake process, individuals must pass a urine analysis, and random drug testing is conducted throughout their time at the shelter. To encourage engagement with partner resources, support services, and the pursuit of housing, employment, and income opportunities, the men’s and women’s dorms are closed during the day.

Clients are required to meet with their Case Managers weekly. Additionally, due to the communal living environment, clients are expected to contribute by completing one task each day throughout their stay. A comprehensive list of rules, policies, and procedures is provided to clients during intake.

Intake Requirements

  • Must be willing to submit to an observed urine drug screen.
  • Must be able to pass a urine drug screen.
  • Must not have any active warrants.
  • Must not be listed on any sex offender registry.
  • Must not have a history of child abuse or related criminal convictions.
  • Must not be checked in at any other shelter.
  • Must be willing to comply with all Stephen Center Campus and Program policies.
recovery program support group at stephen center omaha

HERO

Addiction Recovery Services

Stephen Center’s HERO Program is a state-licensed, nationally accredited CARF facility that provides comprehensive treatment for individuals with substance use disorders, as well as those with a dual diagnosis of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental illness. Our program serves low-income individuals and those experiencing homelessness.

The HERO Program utilizes evidence-based practices while maintaining a client-centered approach. Our services include short-term residential treatment, non-residential outpatient programming, and a range of options in between.

The program offers 32 beds for men and 32 beds for women, with 5 beds specifically reserved for veterans seeking treatment. As a 24-hour operation, the HERO Program ensures that staff are available around the clock, seven days a week, to provide continuous support to our clients.

Levels of Care

Residential Levels of Care:

  • Short-term Residential
  • Residential Intensive Outpatient
  • Residential Outpatient
  • Transitional Living

Non Residential Levels of Care

  • Intensive Outpatient
  • Outpatient

Stephen Center provides substance abuse evaluations every Tuesday during a walk-in clinic. Come to Stephen Center on Tuesdays between 9am and 3pm. There is a lunch break from 12pm to 12:30pm. Please bring a photo ID. The evaluation is $100 This payment is non-refundable.
Evaluations are given on a first come, first serve basis. No appointment needed. You will need to fill out paperwork including an application and a release of information. Please plan for 2.5 hours to complete the evaluation. The first 30 minutes you will be completing assessments and then meet with the assigned evaluator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Bring
Please click here to see the suggested items to bring to treatment.

What can my loved ones expect:
Please click here to access the support guide for family members of clients entering treatment.

Who can Visit and When:

  • Saturdays 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm, after Blackout
    (*The last Saturday of the month 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm clients may sign up family members to eat dinner at the Stephen Center HERO Program)
  • Sunday 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm beginning at Blackout

 

Visitors are restricted to family members only and must receive prior approval from the client’s counselor. All visitors are required to present a photo ID upon entering the building. Treatment staff and Residential Support Specialists (RSS) have the discretion to deny visitation from any guest.

Short-term residential clients may receive visitors on Saturdays only during the first two weeks of treatment. Approved family members may also attend Family Group sessions during the blackout period.

Any items brought by visitors are subject to search. Items handed directly to clients will be confiscated and/or discarded.

How to Apply

Individuals interested in applying to our program may submit their application by clicking the link below or by downloading the application using the “Download Application” button.

Upon receipt of a fully completed application, our admissions coordinator will respond with your application status within three business days.

mom with children in emergency shelter at stephen center omaha

Permanent Supportive Housing

Our Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) apartments serve as a crucial steppingstone for individuals transitioning from homelessness to more stable housing. The PSH program provides a supportive, sober living community, enhanced by wraparound services. Tenants receive the benefit of onsite case management while maintaining the independence of self-sufficient living.

Tenants in our PSH apartments have access to on-campus healthcare provided by OneWorld and the VNA, three meals per day, and staff support available 24 hours a day through our Emergency Shelter. Children residing in our apartments can also benefit from after-school programming offered by Completely Kids.

Apartment Layout Options

These units offer private rooms with shared bathroom facilities located in each wing. SRO tenants also have access to a common area, featuring a pool table and TV for socializing and relaxation.

These units include a small living room, kitchen, bathroom, and one bedroom. The apartment is furnished with a couch, coffee table, one full-sized bed, microwave, refrigerator, and crockpot.

These units feature a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms. These apartments come furnished with a couch, coffee table, one full-sized bed, two twin beds, microwave, refrigerator, washer/dryer, and crockpot.

These units offer a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and three bedrooms. The apartment is furnished with a couch, coffee table, one full-sized bed, four twin beds (two in each of the smaller bedrooms), microwave, refrigerator, washer/dryer, and crockpot.

Rules & Guidelines

  • Tenants are required to meet with their case manager once a month.
  • Tenants must check the random urine screening list daily; failure to do so will result in a lease violation.
  • Tenants are expected to comply with Stephen Center’s pet policy.
  • Tenants must be capable of living independently.
  • Tenants or their legal guardians are responsible for paying rent on the 1st of each month.

  • Tenants are responsible for maintaining and renewing their OHA voucher. If a tenant fails to renew their voucher, they will be liable for the full rent amount.

*For a comprehensive list of PSH rules, policies, and procedures, please read out handbook.

Eligibility and Application Process

The eligibility criteria for a PSH apartment is outlined below:

  • Applicants must be and remain sober.
  • Gross income must be at or below 30% of the area median income.
  • The application fee must be submitted along with the application for it to be considered complete.
  • Applicants must be willing to undergo and pass a background check as defined by the Omaha Housing Authority (OHA).
  • Rent is determined on a sliding scale based on income.