Grant Spotlight: Wellbeing Initiative, Inc.

Organization Name: Wellbeing Initiative, Inc. (HQ in Lincoln, Nebraska)

Mission: The Mission of Wellbeing Initiative, Inc. is to empower individuals living with mental health and substance use challenges to reach their fullest potential. We strive to do this by cultivating communities through training, education, and opportunities for success.

Funded Program Description:

*Since 2021, Wellbeing Initiative, Inc. (WBI) has experienced significant growth and expansion while also navigating challenges posed by state funding cuts…

Expanded Services and Reach

• The Wellness and Education Center now provides 22 support groups to the community each week, serving over 730 unique individuals in the past year alone. This represents a substantial increase in the number of people accessing our peer support services.
• Our Recovery Community Navigation Program has expanded its geographic reach to serve individuals experiencing substance use disorders in Lincoln, Omaha, Fairbury, Nebraska City, Geneva, and Falls City. By extending services to these additional communities, we can support more Nebraskans on their recovery journeys.

Successes of Program or Inspirational Stories:

• Wellbeing Initiative has served over 1,000 individuals in our Recovery Community Navigation programs and more than 730 persons in our Wellness and Education Center Program.
• It has also trained 362 individuals in peer support-related curriculum within the last year.
• Of the participants engaged in direct Peer Support Services, i.e., Recovery Community Navigation and Wellness Community Navigation, 75% reported reduced hospitalizations and engagement with emergency services.

What is a Peer Support Specialist?

A Mentor! A Cheerleader! An Advocate! A Role Model! Someone who’s been where you’ve been and has what you want. They show you how to get to the places you want to go.

Peer Support Education in Nebraska

• 737 trained in Peer Support Related Education
• 300 trained in Peer Support for State Certification
• 40 College Program Recipients
• $124,000 in Scholarships provided to students
• $361,128 in Stipends provided to students

Recovery Community Navigation (Providing recovery resources in both urban and rural communities in Southeast Nebraska through 1-on-1 Peer Support, overdose prevention & intervention, substance use & harm reduction education, and wellness groups)

• 845 referrals to the Recovery Community Navigation Program
• 2,661 individuals served in evidence-based support groups

County Jail Programs (Providing wellness programming and soft skill building to help reduce recidivism)

• 488 County Jail Support Groups in Otoe, Jefferson, Lancaster, Seward, York, and Richardson Counties

Stigma Reduction Education

• 23,000 views on our stigma reducing PSA across the state of Nebraska

Navigating Funding Challenges

• Recent state funding cuts amounting to $15,000,000 have impacted operations at Wellbeing Initiative, Inc. To ensure the sustainability of our vital peer support programs, we have had to increase our fundraising efforts for the current and upcoming fiscal years.
• Despite these financial setbacks, Wellbeing Initiative remains committed to our mission of empowering individuals with lived experience to reach their fullest potential. We continue to adapt and innovate to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

Contact Information:

Sadie Thompson, Chief Innovation Officer
sthompson@winitiative.org
Wellbeing Initiative, Inc.
5530 “O” Street, Suite #2
Lincoln, Nebraska 68510
https://wellbeinginitiatives.org/