Families in Action Summary

Families in Action Fast Facts 2020:

What is Families in Action?
Founded in 1997 under Interfaith Health Service
Mission: Promote education, health and well being for children and women
Programs include: Health and wellness education and activities, Sewing, Micro-business, Youth mentoring, Academic support, Art, and other services based on identified and documented needs of participants
Partners include: Elementary schools, high schools, universities, colleges, health providers, churches, neighborhood associations and community organizations
Annual Budget: $160,000; low overall budget is possible because In-Kind donations of programming spaces, office sites, technology, volunteers and internships which comprise approximately 50% of organization’s structure.
Supported by: The William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation, The Lozier Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, The Weitz Family Foundation, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, FIA Board, FIA participants and others

Whom does Families in Action serve?
At-risk Latino families (men, women & children) in South Omaha
over 17,000 contacts annually
25% of program participants are teens with a 92% graduation rate
85% of  adult participants work outside the home
90% of participants have more than one child

What are some of the important demographics that make Families in Action so critical in our city?
The rate of increase of the Latino population in NE over the past decade was 110%
Nearly 14% of Latinos in the Omaha metro are younger than 5 years old
The median age of Latinos in NE is 23 years old
The Omaha Latino population remains concentrated in zip codes 68105, 68107, and 68108 where Families in Action programs are housed and available
Poverty rates in these zip codes range from 25% to almost 43%
Needs assessment data indicates that the majority of respondents desire access to programming and information on education, health and nutrition
Some of the barriers to health and wellness cited by Latino families in South Omaha include: poor eating habits, lack of transportation, lack of motivation, limited safe places to exercise, social isolation and depression. Families in Action strives to remove these barriers
By 2040, the Latino population will make up more than a quarter of the metro area population

What are some of the successful outcomes achieved by Families in Action?
Program attendance is at an all-time high and all sites are at-capacity
More than 90% of participants who visit once continue to participate
Each year new community partners are requesting collaborations with Families in Action
100% of returning core participants report at least one positive life change due to program participation
Youth participants stay in school, graduate from high school, earn 
With a 17-year history, Families in Action builds long-term, supportive, inter-generational relationships with participants that foster success in families in an at-risk part of our city. The trust we have built up, and continue to expand upon, is the cornerstone of our organization

“I joined Families in Action because it has programs where I can spend time with my mom and sister and brother. I made friends with the other participants my age who are now like part of my family. The staff takes a real interest in how I am doing each week and that makes me feel at home. Families in Action is a big part of my life and a big part of my family’s life, too.” Theresa, age 16, Families in Action Participant

Interfaith Health Service dba Families in Action
1326 South 26th Street – Omaha, NE, 68105 Tax ID No: 47-08326633

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