Help Us Build a Brighter Future
for Children and Families
Almost 50 years ago, Elsie O'Connell had a vision. Today, that vision thrives at O'Connell Children's Shelter (OCS), where we continue to provide essential services to children, youth, and families. Join us in expanding this legacy by helping us reach even more families in need.
Hope Grows with Your Help
At OCS, we are committed to keeping families safely together and helping at-risk youth find stability and success. Through the Hope Grows Here campaign, we aim to:
Create a Family Service Center
A welcoming place for families in crisis, offering emergency youth beds, job-readiness programs, and educational resources.
Renovate Residential Homes
Upgrade the five homes that shelter up to 40 foster youth daily, ensuring they live in safe, supportive environments.
Strengthen Our Community
By investing in early intervention and mental health services, we help build a healthier future for children and families in Douglas County.
Small Changes Make a Big Impact on Children's Lives
OCS offers vital care and support to children and families facing tough times. From crisis intervention and safe housing to life skills training and mental health services, our programs address immediate needs while fostering long-term stability and growth. We work to keep families together and help children thrive.
OCS operates five residential homes that provide a safe, supportive environment for children in foster care. Each home is designed to meet the emotional, educational, and physical needs of youth, ensuring they have a stable place to live while preparing them for life beyond care.
Your Generosity
Plants the Seeds of Hope
Families in our community face challenges like poverty, limited mental health care, and an overburdened foster system. O'Connell Children's Shelter is committed to keeping families together through early intervention and support. Our new Family Service Center will provide essential resources like crisis care and life skills training to help families in need, creating a brighter future for our youth and strengthening our community.
Our Community Needs Us – And We Need You!
By contributing to the Hope Grows Here campaign, you're helping us expand our services and improve the lives of children, youth, and families in need. Every donation makes a lasting difference, ensuring OCS can continue to offer critical support and opportunities for generations to come.