New Horizons Artisan Commons looks for more PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
April 2023 | Vol. 48 | No. 4
donations to continue its mission
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By Emmalee Scheibe nown for its eclectic items and unique spin on antique and vintage furniture, Duet Artisan Commons is helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities learn a variety of job skills. Artisans is a vintage retail store in Bellevue that sells refurbished furniture, décor, vintage items, housewares and other items. This wouldn’t be possible without the donations they receive from those in the community. The store accepts a variety of items including furniture, vintage décor, dishes, frames and more. Through donations and customers, Artisan Commons continues its mission – to help those supported by Duet to learn hands on job skills while earning an income. Each donation gives those supported by Duet the opportunity to learn skills like painting, sanding,
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While shopping at Artisan Commons people can find refurbished and upcycled furniture, knick-knacks, jewelry, accessories, vintage items, and more. woodworking, and more. take longer. Charity Rotolo, Artisan’s store The variety of items they receive manager, said donations usually allows everyone to try something take one to two weeks to be refurnew, said Duane Bugge, a retail bished or repurposed, but some can coach at Artisan Commons.
“We don’t see the same items over and over again,” he said. “Sometimes the items we receive aren’t able to be refurbished to their original state, so we’ll turn them into something new.” One of the projects employees are working on is vintage school desks – which are now being turned into plant stands. Since everyone has been able to try something new, they have all been able to find their own niche, Rotolo said. Learning job skills doesn’t stop with the projects. Each customer gives them the opportunity to learn other skills like customer service, pricing, staging, handling money, running a cash register and cleaning. “It’s been great to see them become more comfortable talking to customers – which seems to be their favorite thing to do,” said Marissa --DUET continued on page 8.
Omaha Public Library provides resources, sense of community
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By Ron Petersen eing able to visit the local public library despite living in a digital world of convenience with virtual platforms for community engagement can spark remembrance from past experiences. Whether it was going to read your favorite book as a kid or reuniting with a special novel that brings new perspective in life. The Omaha Public Library offers many resources and opportunities for anyone to enjoy the library around the eastern Nebraska area. “Libraries are here for you, and they are here for everyone in the community,” Omaha Public Library assistant library director, Rachel Steiner said. In the community, the Omaha Public Library offers more than book rental services. Through the resource center, the Omaha Public Library allows free access to eBooks, eMagazines, audiobooks, music, online research and more with a library card. “Our main resources is what you’d typically find, which is materials, it’s called Books & Reading,”
Steiner said. Through the Books & Reading, the Omaha Public Library offers many book genres and different formats to read books. “We have books on CDs and a lot of people actually love that. It’s a great way for them to be able listen to a book without having to strain their eyes. We have DVDs and we also have audio books,” Steiner said. “We have graphic novels and books in different languages. We have different types of books such as mystery, sci-fi and nonfictional books. We have something for everyone no matter what you are looking for.” There are many other resources to use that may get overlooked, but can be used at any point, which includes by subject: Books & Reading, Business & Finance, Consumer Resources, en Español, Entertainment, Genealogy, Health & Wellness, Homework Help & Research, Jobs & Careers, Law, Newspapers --Library continued on page 8.
National Volunteer Month
In April, National Volunteer Month is being celebrated by ENOA and millions of Americans as a way to thank the volunteers, recruit new men, women, and children into these vital programs, and encourage volunteerism throughout the United States. Learn more about volunteer programs sponsored by ENOA on Page 16.