The Need is great.  Consider these facts:

• Households headed by single women in the U.S. exceed 25%.

• In excess of 70% of delinquents in reform institutions grew up in single parent or no parent families, and a similar amount of all adolescent murderers share that same background.

• In any community about 20% of the youth will be involved in some type of intervention program.  About 5% of the youth are considered dangerous, homicidal, or suicidal.  While they comprise less than 1% of the population, they are responsible for nearly 25% of all the crimes in America.

• Each year since 1998 over 6,000 juveniles have been arrested in the Omaha- Metro area.

• Their crimes range from truancy to first-degree murder.

• Over 2,000 juveniles are held each year in Metro Omaha in either long-term or short-term institutions.

• There are little to no state funds for follow-up programs after a youth is released.

• 2,5 million dollars was spent last year sending youth out of state due to a lack of homes and facilities in the Metro Omaha area for youth upon their release.