ABOUT
LIFT UP SARPY COUNTY
MISSION.
Lift Up Sarpy County identifies needs and opportunities that impact the long-term success of people in Sarpy County, supports, connects and energizes organizations and funders through regular communication and collaboration, and builds sustainability by managing resources, developing new partnerships, and sharing work.
PARTNERS.
CASA's are trained, volunteers appointed by the Juvenile Court to ensure that the needs and best interests of the child are met.
In Sarpy County alone, more than 200 children find themselves entangled in the foster care system. Many of these children become trapped in a revolving door of foster parents, caseworkers, attorneys, and judges. For these children, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) can make a huge difference. Learn more.
Lift Up Sarpy County provides the backbone for a collective impact project called Community Response that brings government, non-profit and faith-based organizations together to share resources, identify challenges and create solutions with the goal of strengthening the protective factors that help families raise happy, healthy children.
Learn more about how this innovative collaborative approach is more effective for the families it serves.
Attorney
Lift Up Sarpy County manages funds for three programs for the Sarpy County Attorney: Teen Court, Mental Health Diversion, Victim’s Witness and Drug Treatment Court.
Teen Court and Mental Health Diversion give minor offenders the support they need to stay out of jail. LUSCI also manages funding for the Victim’s Witness courthouse dog, Manny, who helps bring calmness to those who have to testify.
The Bellevue Police Department uses the funds donated to it through Lift Up Sarpy to support its public outreach efforts and a parenting education class called Proactive Parenting
Human Services
Human Services works with a variety of people. Funds raised are used to help seniors pay for prescriptions, Veteran’s assistance and back-to-school supplies, among others activities. Learn more.
Public Defender
The Sarpy County Public Defenders Office strives to provide each and every client with the best possible legal representation. Funds raised are used to promote Mental Health Awareness. Learn more.
The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department manages the Juvenile Justice Center and the JCC Clothing Closet, providing students with the clothing they need to feel comfortable and confident in the classroom, help them thrive in school and social settings, and avoid problems such as bullying. The department also accepts adult clothing donations for parents who have new jobs or job interviews.
Teen Court
Teen Court is a real justice program. It gives juveniles who have committed a misdemeanor crime a chance to appear before a jury of their peers. Cases heard in Teen Court involve crimes such as theft, shoplifting, criminal mischief, trespassing, third degree assault, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and minor in possession of alcohol.
For the young person charged with a crime, Teen Court offers teenage offenders a second chance to learn from their mistakes without the high cost and stigma of a criminal record. It’s a positive “hands on” experience meant to divert offenders away from a pattern of criminal behavior. The Sarpy County Teen Court is monitored by the Teen Court Coordinator, Leonard Matthias. Read more about us in this Omaha World-Herald article.
Other Organization We Are Partnered With:
Testimonials Of Our Partnerships:
HW-
HW was referred by the school district her children attend. At the time we met HW she had nothing. Her first request was laundry detergent and any food we could get for her to provide dinners for her children. Unexpectedly dad was removed from the home due to alcohol dependency and gambling addiction. Lift Up Sarpy was able to get her a Walmart gift card that same day and guide her through the state and local agencies that could help her. Within two weeks of getting to know her we have developed a relationship that will continue as long as she chooses. Lift Up will continue to provide emotional support through this tough time and has given her hope and confidence that she will reach sustainability and peace.