O'Connell Children's Shelter, Inc.

O'Connell Children's Shelter, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and stabilizing young individuals in foster care or families facing crisis. Established through a merger between long-standing Lawrence nonprofits O’Connell Youth Ranch (formed in 1976) and The Shelter Inc. (founded in 1981), the organization formally became O'Connell Children's Shelter in 2021.

Mission and Services

O'Connell Children's Shelter provides a residential ranch environment with essential care and behavior modification programs for troubled youth under state supervision. Their mission centers around creating a secure and nurturing space that helps these young individuals navigate their challenges and improve their lives.

The organization offers a range of services:

• Residential Care: They have a licensed capacity to serve nearly 60 children in five facilities across Douglas County, providing specialized residential services including emergency shelter placements and qualified residential treatment services for youth with severe behavior challenges or extreme mental health needs.

• Family Support: Services include truancy prevention programming, specialized case management, and intensive in-home services aimed at strengthening families and preventing child abuse or neglect.

• Foster and Kinship Support: O’Connell provides support and resources for families who open their homes to youth in foster care, including assistance with licensure, home studies, and ongoing support for foster, kinship, and adoptive families.

Operational Model

O'Connell Children's Shelter operates under a person-centered and trauma-informed care model. This approach focuses on creating a safe environment where clients can form connections with professionals understanding their needs, while also acknowledging the impact of staff's work on them. The organization values the importance of family unity whenever possible, advocating for out-of-home care only when safety risks are significant.

Community Engagement and Funding

O'Connell Children's Shelter engages with the local community through events like the annual Festival of Trees, which involves hundreds of volunteers creating and donating decorative items to support their mission. The organization is recognized for its strong financial management, holding a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, with over 94% of expenses dedicated to program services.

Leadership and Governance

As of the latest available information, Gina Meier-Hummel serves as the organization's Executive Director. The shelter boasts a fully independent board, which enhances governance and oversight. They maintain transparent financial practices, including audited financial statements and low material diversion of assets.

The organization has achieved a reputation as a well-managed nonprofit, effectively utilizing resources to support its mission of aiding troubled youth and strengthening family structures.