Resources for Justice Involved Individuals

The Fresh Start Job Program provides assistance with mental and physical health, money and household management, workplace communication, and job skills. Participants transition through personal development, job preparation and placement, and even beyond the first six months of employment and independent living. Heart Ministries also offers Fresh Start Laundromat, which is a facility that includes 20 washers and 24 dryers operated by a user-friendly app. The Fresh Start Laundromat offers free and reduced laundry based on need. The Laundromat partners with nearly 30 community organizations to provide laundry services. Heart Ministry also provides food, healthcare and emergency assistance to those in need.

* Heart Ministry receives a portion of their food from the USDA through the Emergency Food Assistance Program, also known as TEFAP. No ID or additional information is required to receive TEFAP food(s) as long as you are under the monthly gross income guidelines and a Nebraska resident.

Contact Information:
2222 Binney Street
Omaha, NE 68110
Phone: (402) 451-2321
Fax: (402) 502- 3568
Contact@HeartMinistryCenter.org

Website

Immediate services such as food, clothing hygiene and housing, transportation to appointments, medical and dental care.

Laser tattoo removal may also be available.

generationdiamondcorp@gmail.com

Website

CRED is a City of Omaha grant for people experiencing employment hurdles while residing in Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. If you are a career seeker or employed worker that would benefit by paid, short-term trainings, courses or credentials, click “learn more” to see available training and funding.

Click here to apply for the CRED grant

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Get personalized attention with a career specialist, take a career assessment, learn about on-the-job training, explore career options, train in English as a second language, learn basic literacy skills, access supportive services to address barriers and much more.

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Metropolitan Community College’s 180 Re-entry Assistance Program (180 RAP) serves the currently incarcerated and released populations. 180 RAP provides services and support to incarcerated individuals and those transitioning from correctional facilities and treatment centers so they can make a successful transition and achieve their education and employment goals.

The Re-entry Center is based out of MCC’s main campus – Fort Omaha Campus – north end of campus in building #8.

 

THE 180 RAP MAINLINE IS 531-622-7368 OR 531-MCC-RENT.

Re-entry Center hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday:  8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday & Friday:  8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday:  8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Services Include:

• Skills and interest assessments
• Career and educational goal setting
• Work readiness and life skills training (credit and noncredit classes)
• Registration assistance, financial aid and scholarship application support
• Continuous coaching, tutoring and mentoring
• Employment support: resume creation, job referrals, ongoing support
• Transition support for individuals leaving jail, prison, treatment facilities
• Wraparound support referrals to MCC resources and community partners
• Access to the Re-entry Pantry & Resource Center:  basic needs including food, hygiene, clothing, SNAP application assistance, birth certificate and ID acquisition, special needs, etc.

Website

Project Reset mentors justice involved individuals into careers in the skilled trades and labor industry. Services include one-on-one mentorship, resume building, employment assistance and placement, incentives, and supportive services. Project Reset has partnered with local Unions, Employers, and Federally Registered Apprenticeships to provide entry into paid skilled labor jobs with benefits for Nebraska’s re-entry population. It is Project Reset’s vision to provide tools and support to redirect an individual’s path through education and skill development which will lead to employment in the skilled trades and labor industry.

Eligibility:

-Adults (18+) who are currently justice involved at the felony level or have been in the last 18 months.

-Adults (18+) with past or current gang involvement

*Ability to assist individuals outside of these parameters will depend on available funding

Contact Information:

Fill out intake form online: https://linktr.ee/projectreset402 click “Enroll Now”

or

Contact Program Coordinator:
Phone: 531-239-2406
Email: christine@nebraskaworkforce.org

Intake Form

RISE is a Nebraska based non-profit organization whose mission is to break generational cycles of incarceration.  RISE provides a 6-month program in 5 Nebraska Department of Corrections facilities focused on character development, job readiness and entrepreneurship. Once someone has graduated from the in-prison program, they are able to receive reentry services.  RISE reentry then provides reentry planning, case management, peer support, housing support, referrals for mental and physical health, substance use support, transportation assistance, family reunification, and employment assistance.

RISE also aims to create and promote self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, and economic growth through the RISE Business Academy, which is a 12-week program focused on developing a positive business in the community for those having lived experience within the criminal justice system. Unlike reentry services, The RISE Family Program and Business Academy are open to anyone in the community who has been impacted by the criminal justice system.

Contact Information:
3555 Farnam Street, Suite 222
Omaha, Nebraska 68131
Phone (402) 999-8063
Info@SeeUsRise.org

https://www.seeusrise.org/

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If you need assistance paying the fees, you can call Together Inc. at 402-345-8047. This is not guaranteed, but it is a great start.

Step 1

Get a Birth Certificate – Can be done online, in person or via mail request
Fee $17

Nebraska Vital Records Office:
Phone Number: (402) 471-2871

Email Address: DHHS.VitalRecords@nebraska.gov

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5065

 

What if I’m not born in Nebraska? Find the Vital Records Department of the state you were born in by clicking here.

 

Step 2

Get a State ID or Driver’s License
Fee: $29 or $16 if replacement
*At this point, you must have a home address and provide proof of that address
Documents need to present to DMV:

1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Status, containing Name and Date of Birth, and Identity. Birth Certificate, passport, Employment Authorization Card, Permanent Resident Card, etc.
2. Principal Address in Nebraska (at least two documents are required dated within 90 days) (bank statement, paystub, federal, state or local government documents, valid, NE vehicle registration, insurance card, voter registration card, blank check)
3. Applicants must disclose their valid social security number which can be verified through the Social Security Administration or show proof of exemption from the requirement by presenting a valid, unexpired Record of Arrival and Departure in a valid foreign passport (I-94 or I-94A).
4. See a full list of Document Verification Requirements acceptable items.

 

Step 3

Get a Social Security Card (Easy online application) If you need a computer to do this on, you can visit any library or Heartland Workforce Solutions for assistance.
Fee: Free if lost or stolen
Documents needed to get SS Card: Proof of citizenship (birth certificate and/or Passport) AND another identification document (preferably U.S. Driver’s license or state ID or Passport, but they may accept school ID, health insurance card, U.S. military card)

Local Social Security Office Locations

OLD MILL CENTRE (Usually very busy, so if you can, go to Council Bluffs location)
604 N 109TH CT
OMAHA, NE 68154

Council Bluffs
20 Arena Way
Suite 1
Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Phone: 1-866-716-8299

Fax:     1-833-515-0443

Hours:

Monday           9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday          9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday     9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday         9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday              9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday         Closed
Sunday           Closed

Website

Before you start, read these guides to help you articulate your experiences, situation, and make it appealing to an employer.

Explaining Criminal History

Tough Interview Questions

Tricky Application Sections

Guide

Click the link to get a list of resources for professional clothing.

Click Here To View List

Offers adult basic education courses and provides college enrollment assistance to individuals who express a desire to begin or continue their post-secondary education. An important objective of the program is to counsel participants on financial aid options, including basic financial planning skills, and to assist in the college admission process. They also help you get your GED and offer tutoring.

Website

GED and ESL classes and assistance.

https://golearnall.org/

Website

GAP Program provides need-based tuition assistance for approved short-term credit and non-credit training programs that are in high-need fields. Gap assistance may be right for you if you are un- or under employed or are looking to up-skill to achieve career advancement.

Programs Offered:

• Code School
• Medical Services Representative
• Pharmacy Technician Training
• Sheet Metal Training
• Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
• Fiber Optics Technician
• Phlebotomy Technician Training
• Veterinary Assistant
• Workplace Technology

Complete interest form for GAP

Adult Education: Adult Education offers noncredit instruction to students in the Omaha metro area who are seeking to increase their basic skill level, earn a GED or increase their literacy as a non-English speaker.Adult Education office: 531-MCC-4060 or adultedu@mccneb.edu

Interest Form

Metropolitan Community College’s 180 Re-entry Assistance Program (180 RAP) serves the currently incarcerated and released populations. 180 RAP provides services and support to incarcerated individuals and those transitioning from correctional facilities and treatment centers so they can make a successful transition and achieve their education and employment goals.

The Re-entry Center is based out of MCC’s main campus – Fort Omaha Campus – north end of campus in building #8.

 

THE 180 RAP MAINLINE IS 531-622-7368 OR 531-MCC-RENT.

Re-entry Center hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday:  8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday & Friday:  8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday:  8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Services Include:

• Skills and interest assessments
• Career and educational goal setting
• Work readiness and life skills training (credit and noncredit classes)
• Registration assistance, financial aid and scholarship application support
• Continuous coaching, tutoring and mentoring
• Employment support: resume creation, job referrals, ongoing support
• Transition support for individuals leaving jail, prison, treatment facilities
• Wraparound support referrals to MCC resources and community partners
• Access to the Re-entry Pantry & Resource Center:  basic needs including food, hygiene, clothing, SNAP application assistance, birth certificate and ID acquisition, special needs, etc.

Website