I've given to Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance in the past because I know that any donation I'm able to make (regardless of size) will be put to good use. I've participated in a few of the online fundraisers they've created for homes around the city that are in need of repair (listed on indiegogo.com). Funding requested for these homes is applied directly to the repairs they list on the website; simple concept, but kind of extraordinary. I think OHKA's transparency is inspiring.
My daughter works for OHKA (Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance) and I am amazed at the work that they do there. When she first started working for OHKA there were a couple times she came home in tears because of the conditions of some of our community members homes and she was so passionate about helping them and making the conditions better for them and their families. Now she has the opportunity to go into the schools and read to the children and tell them about childhood lead poisoning and educate the children how to be safe at home while at the same time offering their parents the opportunity to get in contact with a Healthy Home Specialist and have their home checked for hazards. I am a proud supporter of the work that is done through this organization!!
The Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance came out of an intense collaboration among many organizations active in childhood lead poisoning prevention. Since 2005, OHKA with its community partners has completed a community strategic planning process; established a community lead information hotline; created and implemented a social marketing campaign that included a television commercial conveying positive messages in both English and Spanish; sponsored a nationally recognized speaker to train Omaha medical providers; provided information about lead paint safety to painters and contractors and more; and organized the first healthy homes conference in Omaha. OHKA has secured new resources from EPA , US Conference of Mayors, AmeriCorps, ClearCorps, HUD and local donations and discounts for services and materials to create the Get the Lead Out program to assist property owners to make homes lead-safe.
The Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance (OHKA) is a leader in their mission to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in the Omaha community. It is clear from the outset that OHKA focuses on doing what is best for the children. OHKA is directed by innovative, strong leaders with stellar integrity and character. I have worked with OHKA over the past year and witnessed firsthand the positive impacts they have made on the community. OHKA has successfully developed a Get the Lead Out program, through which they leveraged $203,000 in private funding to conduct 73 risk assessments and make lead-safe improvements in 46 homes. OHKA has written a children’s book for distribution in public schools to educate youth on lead hazards and developed a tenant and resident education video on lead. OHKA believes in and practices collaboration with other community organizations in order to reach the common goal of creating healthier home environments for children. OHKA is currently working on developing an innovative healthy homes program to address issues, such as: radon, mold, pests, asbestos, weatherization, etc. in addition to their focus on lead hazards. OHKA is a determined, grass-roots organization that works to provide lead hazard awareness and lead poisoning prevention to all members of the community.
OHKA (Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance) is a non profit organization created to provide leadership to reduce lead poisoning in children in the Omaha NE metro area. The organization has been a key partner in creating and leading a coaliation to education families in methods to eliminate lead risks for their children. The University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension has collaborated with OHKA in these efforts. As an educator with UNL, I have found the OHKA staff to be excellent partners.
