Eric Unger

Project Homeless Connect

Project Homeless Connect – Hastings is a one-day, one-stop event at which individuals and families who are homeless or near homeless can receive a variety of immediate, on-site services and support. In 2017, PHC partnered with CASA (Court appointed Special Advocate) and First St. Paul’s Church. We assisted 428 guests through a wide variety of agencies and services. Services were provided in the following areas at no cost: medical, dental, HIV testing, food, clothing, adult education, housing, car maintenance, employment, hygiene, disability assistance and veterans’ services,

“Hastings Community Foundation has helped us reach out to those needing the services through publicity grants. Publicity through many different forms of media is of vital importance to reach our sometimes nomadic population. With the grant we received, we were able to begin purchasing non-profit radio ads to reach more people in the counties we serve.

“One participant told us he had been living in his car in a park for several months. He was at his wits end. Out of money, no job and no prospects. He was desperate and didn’t know what he was going to do. Then he heard the ad on the radio about Project Homeless Connect. The event was the next day. That night, he said he slept in the church parking lot. He was able to meet with many agencies, receive services, get a shower and a haircut and clothes for a job interview. This year that hopeless man was a volunteer, giving hope to others! The gentleman is now employed full-time, stably housed and is almost done with his GED. If it had not been for the funding granted to us by Hastings Community Foundation, he never would have heard that ad. Who knows where he would be today.”

– Tina Winchell, Coordinator of PHC in Hastings

 
 
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Revive Ministries

“Revive Ministries, Horizon Recovery and Counseling Center/The Unity Houses will celebrate its ten year anniversary on March 1, 2018. We are a very young organization in the Hastings Community, helping people overcome the demons of addiction and hurts, habits and hang-ups. Revive Ministries is our non-profit name. Horizon Recovery and Counseling Center is our addiction rehab treatment center. The Unity Houses is our sober living housing program where we can house eleven women and twenty three men providing a safe and affordable living environment for adults recovering from addiction.

“We received our first grant from the Hastings Community Foundation in 2012 to support our Sponsorship Program. We have also received funds for two new furnaces and air conditioning systems in one of our Unity Houses. There were two systems in one house and both became worn-out and were leaking gas. The Community Foundation provided funding quickly for us to replace these two units.

“This past year the Hastings Community Foundation provided funding for our campaign to educate our community about the negative effects alcohol/drugs have on our community. This grant paid for radio ads also paid for two billboards with information about the health effects of substance abuse.

“The Hastings Community Foundation also sponsors Give Hastings Day. We have received large amounts of funds from this one-day of giving and we are so thankful for the Foundation’s efforts bringing this event to our community.”
– Dan Rutt, Director

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Play Ball! Renovation of Duncan Field

Built in 1940 as a public works project, Duncan Field is one of Nebraska’s best-loved sports venues, known for its deep outfield surrounded by a red brick wall. It was the site of the American Legion’s “Little World Series” three times, and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra played baseball here in his youth.

A badly needed renovation of the historic ballpark was completed in 2014 at a cost of $2.8 million. Today, the completely refurbished facility is home to Hastings College Bronco Baseball, American Legion Youth Baseball and St. Cecilia Football, hosting over 100 events each year.

“For those of us who worked on the Duncan Field Renovation Project, we would like to thank the Hastings Community Foundation for their assistance in raising funds for this renovation. The Hastings Community Foundation provided help through a “grant” that assisted in the completion of the concession facility and ticket booth. Again we thank you for your interest in improving facilities such as Duncan Field in our community.”

– Dwight Splitt, fundraising chair

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Family Advocacy Network

The new Family Advocacy Center in Hastings is providing forensic interviews and case coordination for police and prosecutors who are investigating allegations of child abuse. It also provides emotional support for victims in Adams County.

“The Family Advocacy Network approached the Hastings Foundation to assist in purchasing the iRecord equipment that is used to document the forensic interviews of children. The equipment allows a Forensic Interview Specialist to interview the child in an age appropriate manner in a comfortable room. During the interview the multi-disciplinary team such as law enforcement and child protective services watch the interview. The interview is recorded and taken into evidence by law enforcement. The iRecord equipment is tailored to child advocacy centers and ensure the documentation is secured.”

– Jamie Vetter, Executive Director

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Salvation Army

“2016 found The Hastings Salvation Army in need of exterior basement wall work as we were getting water into the basement.  To repair this problem it was determined that we needed to remove our existing handicap ramp from the west side of the building. When we were trying to get the necessary funds for the repairs and to build a new ADA approved ramp, we turned to The Hastings Community Foundation. Without their help we would not have the beautiful new ADA approved ramp to make our building better equipped for walkers and wheelchairs.”

– Dale Brandenburg Major, Corps Officer

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