Community Alliance

Meet John. Through our Day Rehabilitation program, he developed the knowledge and skills necessary for long-term recovery. The program offers classes up to five days a week to provide real-life practice in areas critical to recovery. John was referred to Community Alliance for support after incarceration. His story is one of many that we are proud to be a part of. “The skills that I’ve learned through the program have helped me maintain my work ethic and support relationships with my family and friends,” John said. “I can also better understand my diagnosis through the program’s psychoeducation, which helps me define what I’m going through so I can explain to my loved ones what I deal with daily.” Think you or someone you know could benefit from our Day Rehabilitation program? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g5Uq9nht.

We’re thrilled to take part in Mental Health Awareness Night presented by the Omaha Lancers on Saturday, March 8, at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston! The Lancers will be wearing special jerseys that draw attention to mental health awareness and showcasing community organizations that offer local resources to help those who may be struggling. Stop by to see us at our table that night to learn more about Community Alliance. We hope to see you there!

Aileen Brady, our CEO, shares about her journey to Community Alliance. If you’re interested in improving lives and making a difference every day, we’re currently hiring for clinical, behavioral health, community services and administrative support roles. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gcGcjRD7. What inspired you to work in the mental health field? “While in college, I volunteered at the local community mental health center in Columbia, Missouri, and so enjoyed the people. They appreciated having someone to listen and talk with them and help them with whatever concerned them at the time. Then, after coming to Omaha, I began working at St. Joe’s Center for Mental Health. I ultimately chose Community Alliance because of the opportunity to develop programs and services that primarily happened in the community — offering people the support they needed to live, work, learn and contribute in their community. We give people the opportunity to achieve their dreams while also learning to better understand their illness.”

During Black History Month and throughout the year, we are inspired by many leaders who changed history. Many of our classrooms feature images of black historical figures and their inspirational quotes as a constant reminder of the change and hope that is possible for those in recovery. We’re grateful to be reminded of their important contributions to society promoting equality and justice for all.

Looking for the latest news and mental health resources from Community Alliance? Sign up today to receive our monthly Community Well newsletter, where we feature long-form stories, updates from our Center for Mental Health and more: https://lnkd.in/e4uR83Cy.

Aileen Brady, who began serving as our CEO in November 2024, first joined Community Alliance in 1982. Across more than four decades working in community mental health services, she has dedicated her career to supporting the mental, physical and social well-being of the people we serve. We recently sat down with Aileen to learn more about her experiences in mental health care. What excites you about the future of Community Alliance? “We have so much to look forward to — Community Alliance offers a comprehensive array of services that integrates mental health and substance use treatment with primary care and rehabilitation and recovery services. We can meet the needs of so many individuals and families within our community. We have dedicated staff members who work hard to do whatever they can to provide the services and connections people need. We are positioned to grow our services and impact as we continue to seek the talent to bring Community Alliance to the next level. I’m excited about the year ahead to help our community in an even greater way.” What advice would you share with someone considering seeking mental health services? “The best advice I can give is to take the first step. Come in and talk with our staff. Be patient with yourself and the professionals you are working with as you get to know each other in order to communicate and understand how we can best assist you. Be open to learning about your own health — both mental health and physical health — as they definitely impact each other. Don’t give up. Change takes time, and it’s a lot of hard work. It’s all worth it when you begin to see how changes can impact your day-to-day life.”

This week, a new cohort begins our Family-to-Family educational program, which is specifically designed for families, significant others and close friends of people living with mental health and substance use challenges. Classes during the free, eight-week program help participants understand what their loved one is experiencing; provide information about major mental illnesses, current medications, side effects and strategies for medication adherence; guide participants through difficult emotions they may be feeling; and more. Learn more about the program at https://lnkd.in/gGmFuukA.

During times of dangerously cold weather, several warming stations throughout the Omaha metro offer warmth and respite from frigid temperatures. Many warming stations are open only when the temperature is below freezing or during officially issued weather advisories. Please contact each organization directly to learn more about services and availability: Generation Diamond 4829 S. 25th Street STE 100 Open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Heartland Family Service's Peer Support Center 3300 N. 60th Street Building B Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open Door Mission 2705 N. 20th Street STE 249 Open Monday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Siena Francis House 1401 N. 18th Street Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Heritage Place at Renaissance Village 3612 Cuming Street Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Omaha Kroc Center 2825 Y Street Open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Salvation Army Omaha North Corps Community Center 2424 Pratt Street Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Youth Emergency Services, Inc. 2602 Harney Street Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We have new extended clinic hours on Thursday evenings! Individuals can now schedule an appointment for primary care and medication management on Thursday evenings until 7 p.m. We are proud to be able to offer added convenience and better accommodate those we serve by staying open and adding additional schedule availability on Thursday evenings.

Our Vocational Life Skills Reentry Program provides integrated services to address the mental health, physical health and social wellbeing of individuals transitioning from incarceration. Through a dedicated team that consists of a team lead, care coordinator, peer support specialist, employment specialist and licensed professional with training in both mental health and substance use, we work to reduce and remove barriers to successful reentry while ensuring participants have direct access to the tools needed to reintegrate into everyday life. Learn more at community-alliance.org/vls.