About the Program

Project First is a two-year transitional homeless program.   The purpose of the program is to move families from emergency shelters into transitional housing. Through the use of the family development case management process, enrollees will strive to obtain and retain permanent housing, increase their skills and income, achieve greater motivation, and reduce reliance on public assistance.

Requirements for the Program

Participants must be at least 19 years of age or emancipated; have children living in the household or a plan for reunification of your family; be homeless, either in a shelter or on the street or in the process of being evicted.

Counties Served
Cass / Johnson / Nemaha / Otoe / Pawnee / Richardson

Contact Person
Kay Wissmann

Contact Email
kwissmann@senca.org 

Contact Phone
402-862-2411 x 108

Application

Testimonials

Sam & Courtney were hard on their luck. “Before entering SENCA’s Project First program in August 2019, I was a single mom raising two children and we were homeless. I had no cash, no job, no vehicle, and no benefits. The only possessions we owned consisted of our clothing,” shares Cortney. “We were struggling. I felt we would never get out of that situation.”

Courtney enrolled her children into SENCA Head Start, which referred her to Richardson County Outreach. Courtney then enrolled into Project First, a 24-month extensive case management program for homeless families with children. Five months later, Courtney began dating Samuel, an unemployed alcoholic. To ensure Courtney stayed on track, Sherry, the Richardson County Family Development Specialist, invited Samuel to attend weekly meetings with Courtney.

In 2021, after successfully completing and exiting SENCA’s Project First program, both Cortney and Samuel are grateful for the program, and for Sherry’s help and continued support throughout the process. “Sherry helped us set goals and gave us the steps, but it was up to us to do the work required for it to be successful.” Cortney goes on to say “SENCA was never more than a phone call away, with Sherry reminding me that I have what it takes and to never give up. I have never had someone support me as much as she has.”

Samuel participated in SENCA’s Job Skills program with a focus on welding. “As a certified welder I am now making over $3,000 a month,” shares Samuel. “We exited Project First with the confidence that we can do more than ‘just survive’, we can thrive.” Together Courtney and Samuel say: “Thank you SENCA, Project First, and Sherry for doing everything you do!