Supporting Veterans and Military Families Across Nebraska

Two years ago, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) in Omaha, Nebraska saw an opportunity to expand their 211 program to help veterans, military members and their families.  

UWM’s 211 Helpline serves Nebraska, most of Iowa, and 30 counties in Illinois. While they have navigators that support programs focused on families with young children and seniors, military families hadn’t been a major focus—until recently.  

That changed when UWM’s Chief Strategy Officer, Lauren Kimball, and 211 Vice President, Steve Rippe, reached out to Offutt Air Force Base. Both Kimball and Rippe have firsthand experience as military spouses and long careers in public service. They recognized that while many resources are available on base, most veterans and military members live off base, where community resources might be easier to access or better fit their needs. Plus, reaching out for help isn’t always easy — it can be tough to take that first step. This led them to consider whether the free, confidential 211 Helpline could bridge the gap — connecting service members and their families with both community and military resources.

"It’s not just about having resources available — it’s about making sure the right help is accessible when and where it’s needed most," said Rippe. “But what truly sets this initiative apart is the partnership with the base. It’s been a gamechanger.”

In June 2024, UWM’s 211 Helpline signed an agreement with Offutt Air Force Base’s Military & Family Readiness Center to officially launch the partnership. This collaboration allows for a more efficient use of resources by avoiding duplication of services and embedding a community navigator on base to strengthen ties between on-base services and community organizations. This unique partnership has been recognized by the Association of Defense Communities and highlighted as a national policy recommendation by Blue Star Families.

“The Military and Family Helpline is such a unique opportunity,” said United Way of the Midlands President and CEO Shawna Forsberg. “We are incredibly proud that we were able to be nimble and move quickly to bring this to life.”  

The Military and Family Helpline is such a unique opportunity. We are incredibly proud that we were able to be nimble and move quickly to bring this to life."

UWM also hired a Navigator for the Military and Family Helpline who splits her time between Offutt Air Force Base and UWM’s 211 office, building relationships to connect clients with local services on and off base. She’s handled requests for help with housing, utilities, childcare, food and more.  “The idea was that we would hire a veteran, somebody who understands the context and the processes," Rippe added. 

We’ve actually had people walk into the Military & Family Readiness Center on base asking for the 211 Navigator – which is a sign that it’s working.”

For now, the Military & Family Helpline is Omaha-based, but United Way of the Midlands is hopeful that the model will be replicated by other 211s across the country.