Project Help, Omaha Public Schools

Project Help is a program that is funded and operated by the Assistance League of Omaha and is a program that dates back to the 1930s. The program provides coats, clothing, and shoes to needy Omaha Metropolitan area students in grades Pre-Kindergarten to ninth.
At the beginning of each school year, the Project Help staff mails out applications to the school nurses in each building. Applications are received from parents/guardians at the school their child attends. Completion of this form is assisted with the help of designated staff personnel at the school. This is usually the school’s nurse; however, teachers, counselors, and principals are also able to help in this process.
The Project Help office begins taking applications from parents on or about September 15th of each year. Deadline for submitting applications is the first Friday in December, due to a potential for lack of resources. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to new applications that show a true need. The Assistance League sets up appointments to assist the family in the child getting fitted with a coat, hat and gloves at their office.
A student’s need may be determined by one of a number of factors. Some of these may be:

• A crisis such as illness or personal loss that diminished the family’s resources.

• Limited family income which may include a family on public assistance, eligible for free or reduced lunch, or whose family earnings cannot adequately provide for all basic needs of the children.

If your school would be interested in starting a similar program within your district, contact the Assistance League of Omaha at 402-342-4288