A Message from Completely KIDS

Response to COVID-19

As of April 9:

While all Completely KIDS locations remain closed, staff have been working remotely for several weeks. A small number of our staff and volunteers each week are providing food and educational resources to our families as outlined below.

• Completely KIDS has partnered with Food Bank of the Heartland to pack and distribute 200 bags of food (containing five breakfasts and five lunches) each week from our main office on 2566 St. Mary’s Ave. Completely KIDS is supplementing those bags with an additional 250 for our own families in need. We have also identified 34 families who are unable to access food pantries or food distribution sites because of a lack of transportation. Completely KIDS is purchasing, ordering, packing and delivering food to the doorsteps of each of these families.
• Completely KIDS is purchasing and distributing 250 activity bags with the food each week that provide activities in reading, math, science and art. We are also distributing 75 Art Venture bags provided by the Joslyn Art Museum. Our staff are creating daily enrichment activity videos available through our website and social media channels to reach those children who do have access to technology. In partnership with Cox Communications, we are working on the slow process of getting access to internet for all our families. 
• Adult education is being provided both in take-home (ESL and Spanish literacy) and online (GED and other classes) formats.
• Completely KIDS therapists have established online platforms for individual mental health services for children and adults. We have also created a hotline for children and parents to call and leave a message. Staff have been designated to regularly check the hotline and return calls as needed.

While all these efforts are meant to meet needs for the duration of the isolation period, we are working on long-term plans to serve the critical issues that will arise as a result of the pandemic when the kids and families are able to return to program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you again.

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As of Tuesday, March 17:

In response to recent advisories from our local, state and national government officials and in alignment with Omaha Public Schools administration, we have made the decision to close our offices indefinitely. Staff will continue to work from home and operations will continue using online resources.

Many of you have asked how you can help as you recognize that many of our families will have no to minimal access to food or other resources during this time:

• We have compiled a list of resources available from our partners for families on our website. This will be updated continually. Please share this information. https://www.completelykids.org/covid-19-response.html
• We have identified a number of our families who don’t have transportation. A plan has been determined to ensure these families have access to food.
• Monetary donations are the best way to help Completely KIDS right now. Donations will be used to assist our families through the duration of the closures as well as support general operations (paying staff, building maintenance, etc.) Additionally, we are working to reschedule several fundraising initiatives and anticipate our fundraising and revenue streams may take a hit. Please donate here: https://www.completelykids.org/how-you-can-help/.

As a reminder, while our offices are closed:

• Staff will conduct all necessary meetings by phone or online. No in-person meetings will occur.
• No afterschool or family services will be provided including the afterschool program, adult education classes, Homework Diner, Weekend Food Program and more.
• All scheduled volunteer opportunities have been suspended until further notice.
• Our Author Luncheon with Dan Harris is being rescheduled to the fall.
• Mail, phone lines and emails will all be monitored remotely.

We will continue to provide updates as we work together to promote the health and safety of our community. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

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As of March 13:

The health and safety of our staff, families, volunteers, partners, providers and community is our highest priority. In light of recent health advisories related to COVID-19 and as a preventive measure to prevent the spread of this virus, our office will be closed beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. Staff have been directed to work from home and opearations will continue using online resources.

At least for the duration of next week:

• Staff will conduct all necessary meetings by phone or online. No in-person meetings will occur.
• No afterschool or family services will be provided including the afterschool program, adult education classes, Homework Diner, Weekend Food Program and more.
• Volunteers will not report to their scheduled volunteer opportunities.
• Our Author Luncheon with Dan Harris is being rescheduled to the fall.
• Mail, phone lines and emails will all be monitored remotely.

We are following the lead of Omaha Public Schools, as well as local and national officials, and will communicate further directives next week regarding the duration of the closure.

As always, we appreciate working with you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

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Resources for Families

Child Feeding Sites

Drive-Up Mobile Pantries

Food Pantries

Food Resources for Elderly - Intercultural Senior Center

Food pantry services for adults ages 50 and older

Completely KIDS Enrichment Videos

Educational Resources

Immigrant Legal Center

At Immigrant Legal Center, the safety and health of clients and staff is the number one priority. Based on recommendations by the CDC and per the organizational closure policy, all Immigrant Legal Center offices are closed until further notice in response to the COVID-19 situation.

Per the policy for a closure of this type, all Immigrant Legal Center employees will work from home.

• Attorneys will reach out to clients to reschedule appointments as necessary.
• Attorneys will continue to attend scheduled court hearings if the courts are open.
• All client service-related deadlines will continue to be met.

Those in need of immigration legal assistance can still contact NILAH (Nebraska Immigrant Legal Assistance Hotline) at 1.855.307.6730.

• Current clients, community partners and the public can continue to reach Immigrant Legal Center staff by calling 402.898.1349 or emailing info@immigrantlc.org.

For more information regarding legal updates as they pertain to Immigrant Legal Center, please visit the Immigrant Legal Center website.

Employment/Unemployment

Housing

MUD or OPPD Bills

• Residents who fall behind on bills will not see their service cut off.
• Residents should not worry about the quality and availability of tap water. (Water quality is checked more than 1,000 times per day.)
• Disconnections for non-payment suspended through April 30.

Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless

• Makes connections for those experiencing homelessness.

Nebraska DHHS Low-Income Energy Assistance Program

• Energy assistance

211 Helpline

• 24/7 Rent & Utility Assistance

Internet

Cox

For the next 60 days, Cox is extending the following (3/13/20):

• Upgrading internet speeds.
• Not terminating service to any residential or small business customer because of an inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Waiving any late fees that residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Opening Cox Wifi hotspots to help keep the public connected in this time of need.
• Connect2Compete will fast-track qualification process so students can continue learning from home (will still cost $9.95 per month).

Allo

• Free wifi for 60 days

Internet Essentials

• Low-cost internet access

Lifeline

• Qualify to lower phone/internet bill

Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program

• Low-cost phone service

Spectrum/Charter

• Free wifi for 60 days - call (844) 488-8398

 

Transportation & Moving for Students

Enterprise

• Available to college students 18 to 24 years of age.
• Valid for rentals of an economy through full-size cars, minivans, small pick-up trucks and cargo vans.
• Standard driver and credit requirements apply, except for the minimum car rental age per this offer (fee if you are <25 years old removed).
• Offer expires 5/31/20.

U-Haul

• 30 days free self-storage offer.
• Students should create an account at collegeboxes.com to initiate an order:
  • Boxes and packing supplies then are delivered to a student's residence.
  • Once packed, an at-home service will pick up the boxes at no additional charge.
• U.S. students can contact (866) 269-4887 or info@collegeboxes.com to find out when Collegeboxes will be on their campus picking up items for storage or shipping.
• The free month applies to new customers with college IDs.

Domestic Violence, Grief & Mental Health Resources