CEDARS was founded in 1947 by the Reverend Charles and Alberta Danner, when they opened their home to homeless youth. In a newspaper article, Rev. Danner commented that if children had a place to call home and were not permitted to grow up on the streets, they could have a real childhood and plans for the future.
Remembering the Past... Celebrating the Present... Believing in the Future
Sixty years have now passed since that simple act of kindness. Rev. Danner's passion still lives on through CEDARS dedicated work today, even though one hard fact still remains — home is not safe for every child. Each day, drug use, criminal activity, extreme poverty, mental illness and neglect put children in harm's way. These children come to CEDARS desperately in need of a safe haven. Today, CEDARS celebrates continued success in improving the lives of children who have been abused, neglected or homeless.
This timeline gives a glimpse of our efforts over the past years to build a brighter future for children and families striving to be their best for today and tomorrow.
1947- CEDARS began with the dream of two caring, energetic individuals. Reverend Charles and Mrs. Alberta Danner acted on their dream by contacting police and juvenile authorities requesting that children in chaotic, unstable family situations be brought into their home. They started with one boy and before long; they had a new family of 22 children.
1949- CEDARS Home for Children incorporated and the children were moved to a farm house on East Pioneers Boulevard, purchased with the help of a number of community organizations.
1952- In short time the extended family outgrew the farmhouse and kicked off a "Building Fund Drive" to raise money for a new home. Construction on CEDARS Home began early in 1953, and within a year the children moved into their new three-story brick home.
1971- Fellow Lincoln resident James Arnot began pursuing his dream of giving homeless teenagers a safe refuge. He organized the Youth Service Bureau, under the umbrella of the YMCA, to focus on helping homeless, abused and neglected teens. Eventually, Arnot formed Youth Service System (YSS), a non-profit agency, designed to coordinate services and provide assistance to teens and their families.
1981- YSS had grown from just two office spaces and a $66,000 grant, to a staff of 40 with a budget of $395,777. They operated the Freeway Station Emergency Shelter and two residential group homes: Boys Home and Girls Home.
1983- YSS responded to another need in the community by opening a home for pregnant and parenting teen girls. As it does today, Teaching and Learning with Children (TLC) Home for Pregnant and Parenting Teens works with teen mothers to teach pre-natal care, parenting and independent living skills. The program soon outgrew its original location. In 1995 moved to its current location at 4141 South 56th Street, allowing for more residents and an on-site child care center.
1988- Growth continued as Family Support Services was added to CEDARS Home.
1992- March marked the creation of a 24-hour crisis line in response to the needs of the community. In September of the same year, YSS assumed management of the YMCA's Capital Child Care Center and moved it to the First Presbyterian Church.
1993- Street Outreach Services (SOS) was developed. By literally placing staff on the streets, YSS was now able to connect with and help Lincoln's homeless youth.
1994- YSS opened a Residential Treatment Center for youth with more challenging emotional and behavioral problems.
1995- A Crisis Nursery Emergency Shelter for children from birth through 6 years of age was opened.
1996- CEDARS celebrated 50 years of helping children in need and added the Foster Care program. YSS celebrated 25 years of helping teens. The two organizations merged together in service to children, youth and their families, forming CEDARS Youth Services.
1997- At the request of the Lincoln City and County Attorney Offices, Juvenile Diversion and Teen Court programs were added. Also, CEDARS began offering family support and counseling services in Central Nebraska.
1999- With the financial support of Broken Bow resident Harry Richardson, CEDARS responded to a service request from Central Nebraska by creating the Richardson House Emergency Shelter. In addition, the Super Kids Club was introduced to provide quality before and after school care for elementary students in Broken Bow. The Northwood Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) opened joining Capitol and Pioneers in serving the children and families of Lincoln.
2000- Renovations were made to the historic CEDARS Home; CEDARS Residential Treatment Center (now called Turning Point) was completed; CEDARS Transitional Living Program was put into action; and Broken Bow began offering Family Violence Services.
2001- Capitol ECDC moved to Centennial Mall and CEDARS assumed management of Carol Yoakum ECDC.
2002- Construction began on CEDARS Northbridge Community Center in Lincoln; CEDARS assumed management of Southwest Nebraska Youth Services in McCook; and the Crisis Nursery became one with CEDARS Home Emergency Shelter.
2003- CEDARS assumed management of the Downtown ECDC and expanded involvement with Lincoln's Community Learning Centers.
2004- CEDARS Northbridge Community Center opened, offering services to Lincoln's North 27th Street District, giving Foster Care a new location and providing space for a new early childhood development center.
2005- CEDARS was awarded the first ever Better Business Bureau Integrity Award in the nonprofit category.
2006- CEDARS adopted a new mission statement: to help children who have been abused, neglected or homeless achieve safety, stability and enduring family relationships.
