Welcome To Our Toolbox

Inspiring Success Stories

Meet Aaron & Tina, two resilient individuals who transformed their lives right here in our city. Once struggling with homelessness, they connected with local agencies that empowered them not just to survive, but to thrive. Curious how they did it?

Discover Our Pathway Out of Homelessness

Explore this page to uncover the resources that can help pave your way to a stable, fulfilling life.

A Bit About Us

We're a couple of old timers who've heard it all: "There's nothing to do in Omaha...", "Omaha doesn't care about the poor...", and "No one is hiring in Omaha..." We've lived those words. Once homeless on the very streets that we now walk as Ministers ordained by and afilliated with The Universal Life Church based out of Seattle, Washington, we've turned our past struggles into a beacon of hope. This site is born from our journey to a better life, and it can be your road map out of hardship. Alongside our guide to Omaha's resources and hidden gems, Tina and I manage an outreach blog. Here, we explore deeper into our personal ethics, beliefs, and our journey through religious and spiritual realms. Please be advised that our blog discussions are designed for an open-minded, adult audience and may not be suitable for workplace viewing. We've refined the content, but it retains its mature theme. For more insights, continue reading.

Open Your Eyes & Look Around

Opportunities abound. The city has evolved, and its spirit of action is stronger than ever. Let's find your place in it together.

Omaha's Still Growing

Like any metropolitan area, Omaha has faced its challenges, but our city’s story is one of continuous growth and resilience.
Are you ready to be part of the change? With determination and drive, you can forge a new path and contribute significantly to our community’s evolving landscape. Don’t wait for opportunities to find you—chase them down, create them. We did, and if we can, you can too. We're cheering you on every step of the way!

Scenic Bike Trail in Downtown Omaha

Let's get to work. What are we waiting for? What awaits around the next bend in the trail?

About Our Website

All too often, when reaching out to others in the community experiencing homelessness, or employment issues, the repetitive cry we'd hear was that no one cared about the little guy, the downtrodden. What this outreach is attempting to do is show that the resources are there, ready to be utilized by those needing assistance in the community and often feeling ignored.

Important Disclaimer & Privacy Information

Please be advised that certain content within the streaming library may be intended for mature audiences, and we cannot ensure that all links will lead to work-appropriate material. Kindly adhere to the policies set forth by your employer. Furthermore, we cannot personally guarantee the privacy of your information when completing entry forms on external websites.

Powered By Community Advocates

Our initiative is led by two dedicated advocates who have firsthand experience with homelessness and deeply comprehend the necessity for a holistic array of resources within the Omaha community. Aaron J. Wisti and Tina Wisti, both of whom have overcome homelessness, devoted years to crafting this website and amassing resources to establish a centralized hub for individuals in need, enabling them to navigate challenging circumstances with ease.

Join the Conversation

Connect with community leaders in respectful dialogue. Share your skills, talents, and vision for a better tomorrow. When disagreements arise, consider perspectives and seek solutions that benefit our community in the long run. Let's work together for a future we can all be proud of.

How We Support You

As an online outreach, we aim to bridge gaps by offering resources tailored to the unique needs of Omaha's diverse neighborhoods. We share resources and ideas thoughtfully, striving to be a platform for constructive dialogue and action.

Do you have ideas to share? Email us, or call 402-522-6708 and leave a message. Your input matters.

Empowering Neighborhoods

In underserved neighborhoods, cries for help are often misunderstood. Our mission is to offer not just attention, but tangible solutions. The voices calling out are seeking opportunities to contribute positively to their communities, whether it's caring for loved ones or making lasting improvements.

A Little History

Since Tina and I first crossed paths in 1989 at the corner of 16th and Farnam, where Parkfair Mall once buzzed with activity (now transformed into a parking hub for downtown Omaha), this city has been more than just our home—it has been the backdrop for our life's work. As newly ordained Universal Life Church Ministers, we are committed to giving back to the community that has enriched our lives with both delightful and formidable experiences. Through this website, we share a toolbox of resources, each forged through years of personal growth and hands-on challenges, to guide others on their own paths.
Aaron J Wisti

Digital Content Creator, Writer, & Website Manager

Tina M Wisti

Wife, Business & Financial Advisor, Mentor

As stewards of this platform, we are committed to maintaining a space that not only educates but also empowers and supports. We continuously evolve our offerings to meet the needs of those we serve, ensuring that our site remains a vital, accessible resource. Our mission is to pass on the lessons and opportunities that have shaped us, inviting everyone to partake in the vibrant life Omaha offers."

Our Resources

These Are A Few Resources We've Found Useful

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Click On The Accordion Elements Below For More Information

Written July 10, 2024

The following is an editorial article raising questions about the Ethics courses taught by Andy Gustafson at Creighton University, and examining the ethical implications of how a particular housing situation involving Aaron & Tina Wisti, who are both disabled, has been handled. This situation requires immediate assistance to maintain their housing and independent living in the Omaha community. The intent is to seek assistance, promote communication, and foster understanding in a civil and professional manner, not to instigate a legal conflict between tenant and landlord. I'm writing out my thoughts in an effort to track my thinking, and examine the facts in my effort to understand them.

My perspective - if you teach a class on Ethics, shouldn't you live it by not putting the lives of your tenants in danger by posting a request in writing for them to leave their residence without referring them to another apartment/landlord, fully aware it will potentially bring one or both to harm as it will severely restrict their access to life-saving medical care and medications? Where does the law stand on this regarding general information from Nebraska's Landlord/Tenant handbook?

Professor Andy Gustafson, a respected faculty member at Creighton University's Heider College of Business, emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership in his teachings. According to the university's resources, the Heider College of Business prepares students to be ethical leaders by integrating Jesuit values into its curriculum. These values emphasize social responsibility, community engagement, and the ethical implications of business decisions (Creighton University, 2024)​:citation[oaicite:3]{index=3}​.

Despite the high ethical standards taught at Creighton, the real-world application of these principles can sometimes fall short. This discrepancy raises critical questions about the ethical responsibilities of educators and community leaders. For example, the current housing situation faced by the author highlights a potential ethical lapse. The refusal to respond to communication and the instruction not to pay rent for July, without providing alternative housing solutions, contradicts the ethical teachings emphasized in the classroom (Society for Business Ethics, 2024)​:citation[oaicite:2]{index=2}​.

This situation provides a real-world case study for examining the practical application of ethical principles. According to Nebraska's Landlord/Tenant handbook, landlords are required to maintain habitable conditions and cannot evict tenants without following proper legal procedures. Ethical leadership, as taught by Professor Gustafson, would suggest that landlords have a moral obligation to ensure the well-being of their tenants, which includes providing adequate notice and assistance in finding new housing if eviction is necessary (Nebraska Landlord/Tenant Handbook, 2024).

The impact of crime on individuals with severe mental illness, particularly those who lack adequate housing and are unsafe in homeless shelters due to their conditions, is profound. My wife suffers from severe cognitive impairment stemming from repeated trauma, including head injuries that have resulted in significant intellectual deficits. Her condition includes nearly complete memory loss, often denying events have occurred. I, too, face challenges with symptoms of Bipolar Type 2 (anxiety and depression in cycles) as well as uncontrolled diabetes, necessitating refrigerated diabetic medication which isn't feasible in shelters due to risks of tampering or theft.
Several years ago, my wife was expelled from a women's shelter after her medication was allegedly stolen by staff, worsening her schizophrenia symptoms. This unresolved situation has left her extremely vulnerable in a high-crime neighborhood, where the shelter mentioned is located. Due to her illness, no shelter can safely accommodate her without potential risks to residents and staff, given her chronic and debilitating headaches that cause frequent blackouts and varying degrees of cognitive and memory loss. These episodes sometimes lead to verbal aggression and combative behavior.
Crime statistics underscore the heightened vulnerability of homeless individuals, especially those with mental illnesses, to violence and theft, exacerbating their already precarious situations (Omaha World-Herald, 2024).

In conclusion, this case highlights the importance of bridging the gap between ethical theory and practice. It serves as a reminder that ethical leadership extends beyond the classroom and must be demonstrated in all aspects of life, including business and community interactions. For more detailed information on the ethical principles taught at Creighton University and their application, interested readers can explore the university's resources on Jesuit values and ethical leadership (Creighton University, 2024)​:citation[oaicite:1]{index=1}​​:citation[oaicite:0]{index=0}​.

Ethical Obligations of Landlords

From an ethical standpoint, landlords, particularly those affiliated with educational institutions that emphasize ethical leadership, have a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of their tenants. This includes providing adequate notice and assistance in finding alternative housing to prevent harm and maintain access to necessary medical care and medications.

After taking a break from writing, I revisited the document Andy posted on our door and examined it more closely. Now I grasp the issue: while urgent, it revolves around the lease ending and his commitment to support our diligent efforts in ensuring timely rent payments. I still have queries regarding his ethics course and would be open to attending a lecture or two to broaden my understanding and apply it to my goals of sustaining an online ministry outreach.

For further exploration of ethical perspectives at Creighton University, particularly those of Professor Andy Gustafson, consider the following resources:

Understanding the legal framework can provide insights into tenants' rights and landlords' responsibilities. Refer to the Nebraska Landlord/Tenant Handbook for guidelines and protections.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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