Upcoming events
Mary C. Lopez Lunch and Learn
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Security National Bank
We hope you will join Women United for our next Mary C. Lopez Lunch and Learn event.
What is the Women United Difference?
Women United is a global, growing force of over 70,000 women dedicated to creating lasting change and lifting up communities. Embodying these principles, the Omaha Chapter was formed in 2008 and grounded in the belief that addressing the most critical local needs will advocate and inspire transformative change within our community. With gifts of $1,500 and above to United Way of the Midlands, Women United targets educational and volunteer opportunities that assist our members in gaining deeper, first-hand knowledge of the most crucial issues that face our community.
In 2025, Women United launched the United Housing Network. It’s already helping families stay housed by pairing flexible financial support with coordinated, wraparound care.
introducing the united housing network
Because every family deserves a place to call home
The United Housing Network (UHN) provides immediate relief and long-term stability by adapting the nation’s leading model to keep families housed. In partnership with the Siemer Institute, Women United and local organizations, UHN offers flexible financial assistance and connects families to wraparound community support.
By stabilizing housing, we empower families to regain control, prevent future crises and build lasting financial security.
Why housing stability matters
Without a stable home, everything else falls apart.
Housing is the foundation for a family’s success – impacting education, health and emotional well-being. Yet, every month in the Omaha metro, about 50 families experience homelessness for the first time.
Every family deserves a place to call home - let’s make it happen, TOGETHER!
Your gift goes further right now, with new funding partners helping us grow this work and match donations
Thanks to new support from the Iowa West Foundation, we’re expanding our efforts to serve Iowa families experiencing housing instability.
through a new partnership with dhhs, we will be able to address housing and food, while supporting families with job training and educational opportunities.
HOW you can help
How You Can Help Whether you're an individual, business, or community organization—you can be part of the solution.
Join Women United
Be part of a powerful network of women making direct, local impact.
Refer a Family
Agencies can refer families to access the Family Flex Fund and housing navigation.
Donate
Support UHN’s prevention-focused model and help more families avoid the trauma of homelessness.
THE impact - transforming lives
Together, we can create a future where family homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring.
70% of families supported by UHN remain stably housed.
100% of donations directly support families.
What is the Women United Difference?
Women United is a global, growing force of over 70,000 women dedicated to creating lasting change and lifting up communities. Embodying these principles, the Omaha Chapter was formed in 2008 and grounded in the belief that addressing the most critical local needs will advocate and inspire transformative change within our community. With gifts of $1,500 and above to United Way of the Midlands, Women United targets educational and volunteer opportunities that assist our members in gaining deeper, first-hand knowledge of the most crucial issues that face our community.
WOMEN UNITED STEERING COMMITTEE
Women United members strengthen our community, advocate and inspire change and enact a positive difference through through their investment in the work of United Way of the Midlands.
Leslie Volk
UWM Board Liaison
CFO Systems
Sue Seline
Chair of the Tocqueville Women’s Initiative Advisory Council
Ia Hagan
Baird Private Wealth Management
Mary Ann O’Brien
OBI Creative
Angela Rock
Stephanie Tiritilli
Alliant Assurance Services
Pam Beall-Hill
Council Bluffs Schools Foundation
Women United’s New Housing Initiative
Mental Health in Our Community
Research studies and strategic plans have identified mental health as a growing concern within our community. 1 in 3 people in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro experience symptoms of chronic depression. When it comes to mental health access, Nebraska ranks in the bottom half of all 50 states. On average, 130 people die by suicide every single day. Due to the stigma around asking for help, many people suffer silently without getting the help they need.
Women United’s Mental Health Initiative: United in Heart and Mind
Women United has prioritized mental health to address the increased demand for services and access challenges. Specifically, Women United is committed to raising awareness of and increasing access to Mental Health First Aid training, to ensure people throughout the community receive the right care at the right time.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
UWM has developed a partnership with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare to expand MHFA training to improve our community’s understanding of mental health and reduce barriers to seeking help.
Similar to CPR training, MHFA is an internationally recognized, evidence-based training program that has certified more than two million Americans as Mental Health First Aiders. The MHFA Action plan equips individuals with the skills to:
- Understand the impacts of mental health challenges
- Notice the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses
- Develop an action plan to connect with an individual they may be concerned about, by using the following tools:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Targeted audiences for this training include employers and business leaders, faith communities, school personnel and educators, and any of our friends and neighbors that want to better understand how to help someone struggling with mental health challenges.
Enhancing the capacity to provide MHFA training will significantly increase community awareness and education around mental illness, and empower community members to connect with individuals and increase support for those in need of mental health services.
Women United’s Impact
Women United’s support will fund an awareness campaign, and cover the costs of training to UWM’s 211 staff on MHFA referrals. Targeted awareness efforts and direct outreach will significantly increase the number of individuals in our community receiving MHFA training. In addition, Women United’s support will fund a MHFA Coordinator at Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare to increase the number of individuals in our community receiving MHFA training.
On Wednesday, October 12, 2022 members of Women United came together to learn more about the mental health initiative, United in Heart and Mind. During the event, several community experts shared their unique insights and perspectives on mental health.
Women United’s New Mental Health Initiative
Mental Health in Our Community
Research studies and strategic plans have identified mental health as a growing concern within our community. 1 in 3 people in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro experience symptoms of chronic depression. When it comes to mental health access, Nebraska ranks in the bottom half of all 50 states. On average, 130 people die by suicide every single day. Due to the stigma around asking for help, many people suffer silently without getting the help they need.
Women United’s Mental Health Initiative: United in Heart and Mind
Women United has prioritized mental health to address the increased demand for services and access challenges. Specifically, Women United is committed to raising awareness of and increasing access to Mental Health First Aid training, to ensure people throughout the community receive the right care at the right time.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
UWM has developed a partnership with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare to expand MHFA training to improve our community’s understanding of mental health and reduce barriers to seeking help.
Similar to CPR training, MHFA is an internationally recognized, evidence-based training program that has certified more than two million Americans as Mental Health First Aiders. The MHFA Action plan equips individuals with the skills to:
- Understand the impacts of mental health challenges
- Notice the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses
- Develop an action plan to connect with an individual they may be concerned about, by using the following tools:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Targeted audiences for this training include employers and business leaders, faith communities, school personnel and educators, and any of our friends and neighbors that want to better understand how to help someone struggling with mental health challenges.
Enhancing the capacity to provide MHFA training will significantly increase community awareness and education around mental illness, and empower community members to connect with individuals and increase support for those in need of mental health services.
Women United’s Impact
Women United’s support will fund an awareness campaign, and cover the costs of training to UWM’s 211 staff on MHFA referrals. Targeted awareness efforts and direct outreach will significantly increase the number of individuals in our community receiving MHFA training. In addition, Women United’s support will fund a MHFA Coordinator at Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare to increase the number of individuals in our community receiving MHFA training.
On Wednesday, October 12, 2022 members of Women United came together to learn more about the mental health initiative, United in Heart and Mind. During the event, several community experts shared their unique insights and perspectives on mental health.
How to Get Involved
Read our Newsletter!
Read the latest edition of Women United’s Community Compass Newsletter. This newsletter will be published twice a year to provide the opportunity to read all about the great work women united is doing, and share meaningful updates to celebrate your collective impact in the community!
Click HereJoin the Steering Committee
Led by passionate leaders across the metro, Women United celebrates the power of women to bring about positive change in our community through philanthropy and service. We invite you to consider joining the Steering Committee to help champion Women United’s philanthropic and engagement opportunities.
If you would like to learn more about Women United and the ways to get involved, please contact WomenUnited@uwmidlands.org