Stephen Center

Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center partners with the community, families and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges. Since 1984, Stephen Center serves homeless and low-income families and individuals and in Omaha. Founders Sharon and Dick McNeil had a straightforward goal - provide food, shelter and safety to those in need.

Unique among community homeless shelters and supportive housing apartments, Stephen Center maintains a substance-free environment, or “recovery housing” as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Program participants must be drug and alcohol-free and committed to sobriety while living on campus. This requirement allows Stephen Center to safely serve families – the Pettigrew Emergency Shelter is the only family shelter facility in Omaha city limits that easily accommodates all types of family groups, including fathers with children. With 50 full-time and 19 part-time employees and 500+ active community volunteers logging 51,000 hours in 2022, our mission is accomplished through three distinct programs:

1. The Pettigrew Emergency Shelter provides food, shelter and clothing to men, women and children experiencing homelessness. Shelter clients meet with a case manager to assess needs and barriers and create a housing plan within 72 hours of arrival. 627 adults and 74 children (49 families) received shelter in 2022. 

2. 61 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) apartments provide housing and supportive services for people moving from homelessness. Tenants live in a stable environment, increase life skills and income, and gain control over decisions that impact personal and familial needs. 79 adults and 23 children (16 families) obtained housing through PSH in 2022. 

3. The HERO Program is a 64-bed state-licensed substance abuse treatment program providing residential and non-residential treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental illness. Shelter clients can access outpatient treatment free of charge as appropriate. 

Stephen Center is an active member of the Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (MACCH) – a group of Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area homeless services agencies that work together to reduce and end homelessness in our community. Stephen Center programs are nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).