Through the Good fellows program, people like Nicole Kellogg can get short-term assistance when they need it most. Conor Berigan, health care director at the Heart Ministry Center in Omaha, said a portion of the support the nonprofit receives from Good fellows goes to the Willing Partner program, which can help cover rent and utilities for people in need.

STEVE LIEWER

WorldHerald Staff Writer

Nicole Kellogg spent years working as a certified nursing assistant, in the homes of people who couldn't care for themselves because of injury or illness.

"I love it. I love the fact that it's one-on-one care," said Kellogg, 45, who lives in North Omaha near Fontenelle Park. "The conversations you get to have!"

Now Kellogg is the one needing help. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2021, which spread and required two more surgeries the following year. An intestinal rupture caused a life-threatening case of sepsis.

"I had so much pain, like childbirth," Kellogg said. "I overcame that, thank God."

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Fibromyalgia leaves her in constant pain. And twice recently she has been hospitalized after suffering seizures.

Through it all, Kellogg has been buoyed by her family: two grown sons, ages 27 and 22, who stop in frequently to help out. And her 17-year-old daughter, who still lives with her and is always at her side. Her mother, Felicia, flew up from Houston last week to stay with her through the holidays.

"Everybody pitches in," Kellogg said. "God's given me my kids, my family, my mother. I just try to stay positive."

All these health emergencies have made it difficult to work. She hasn't been strong enough to do home health care in about three years, though she does help take care of the babies at her aunt's day care when she can. The little ones give her strength and hope.

"I love kids, because they're just so innocent," she said. "That's kind of what kept me going."

Still, earlier this year, Kellogg needed some help. She turned to the Heart Ministry Center in North Omaha for some emergency assistance to pay her utility bills.

She got help through a program partly funded by the Omaha World-Herald's Goodfellows, which has supported local charities since the 1890s through donations from the newspaper's readers. Since 2020, the Goodfellows campaign has raised more than $3 million -- including more than $541,000 from 1,178 donors in 2023 alone.

With a motto of "Dignity for All," the Heart Ministry Center operates a food pantry and a free health clinic in its building at 24th and Binney Streets.

A signature offering is the center's Willing Partner program, which helps clients who have gone through difficulties become self-sufficient again. Case managers help them set and achieve goals such as getting a better-paying job or higher education, or buying a house.

"There's no particular requirements except a willingness to change their lives," said Amy Holmes, the center's chief operating officer.

Goodfellows has traditionally supported charities that give one-time emergency help to people in crisis situations. It also funds holiday meal vouchers and helps schoolchildren get warm coats and clothes.

Since 2020, The World-Herald and United Way of the Midlands have partnered to administer the Goodfellows program.

Holmes said part of the Willing Partner program is providing emergency assistance paying rent or utilities to people who are also receiving longer-term help.

Kellogg said she heard about the Heart Ministry Center's program through social media. They were able to help her catch up with utility payments. She is also planning to take some classes about managing money.

"They were so understanding, so kind," she said. "I want to learn how to be financially stable, to push forward in life."

Kellogg said she remembers in past years reading stories in The World-Herald about Goodfellows, and the people the program helped -- never expecting that, someday, she might need help herself.

"The people who donate are just so awesome. It means a lot, being on the other side," she said. "I always thought you were a blessing."

[email protected]; twitter.com/Steve Liewer