'We're here for the community' LGBTQ+ resource center prepares to open in Omaha

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO OMAHA FOR US HOLDS A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE RESOURCE CENTER. WELL, THE CENTER WON’T OFFICIALLY OPEN UNTIL JULY 17TH. STAFF ARE EAGER TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THEIR SERVICES. NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S JESSICA PEREZ GIVES US A LOOK INSIDE. THE RESOURCE CENTER WILL FOCUS ON SOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROVIDING A SAFE SPACE FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TO CONGREGATE, A SAFE SPACE TO HANG OUT AND RECEIVE SOCIAL SERVICES. THAT’S THE GOAL OF OMAHA FOR US. IT REALLY ADDRESSES A LOT OF NEEDS ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT FRONTS FROM BRAIN DRAIN TO CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SERVICES. THE CENTER WILL PROVIDE SERVICES LIKE A FOOD AND HYGIENE PANTRY, A CLOTHING CLOSET FOR PEOPLE TRANSITION, OWNING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEAN CARROLL SAYS THEY WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH BIG THINGS DESPITE OBSTACLES. THIS IS JUST AS MUCH THEIR HOME AS IT IS ANYONE ELSE’S, AND SO NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO LEAVE NEBRASKA TO BUILD A COMMUNITY, SAYS OMAHA FOR US, IS STILL DEVELOPING AND WELCOMES FEEDBACK ABOUT THE SERVICES IT SHOULD OFFER. WE’RE HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS ISN’T MY SPACE. IT’S OUR SPACE. SARAH PHELPS WITHOUT NEBRASKA IS EXCITED BECAUSE THE CENTER WILL BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE DIRECTLY. IT’S A REAL STEP FORWARD IN SHOWING OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, OUR COMMITMENT TO HONORING ALL THE CITIZENS HERE. BUT IT DOESN’T COME WITHOUT ITS CHALLENGES, DENT SAYS, BECAUSE FUNDS ARE LIMITED. SO AS GROWTH, WE HAVE TO THINK INNOVATIVELY. DIVERSIFY OUR REVENUE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GARNER LOTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUPPORT. THE CITY’S HELPED SUPPORT THE CENTER WITH A $20,000 CONTRIBUTION. COUNCIL PRESIDENT PETE FESTERSEN SAYS AN LGBTQ+ CENTER IS IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY’S GROWTH. I THINK IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT WE COMMUNICATE THAT OMAHA, A WELCOMING CITY AND A CARING CITY FOR OUR CURRENT POPULATION, BUT CERTAINLY FOR OUR FUTURE SUCCESS DO AND FOR THE FOLKS WE’RE TRYING TO ATTRACT TO COME TO OMAHA AND FOR THE WORKFORCE. WE KNOW WE NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FUTURE. THE CENTER WILL MAKE ITS LOCATION PUBLIC AFTER ITS OPENING ON JULY 17TH FOR SAFETY REASONS. THEY ASK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS TO