About Santa Monica House
Since 1972, Santa Monica has administered a caring, comprehensive program for women who desire to live without the burdens of addiction.
Santa Monica was the first halfway house in Omaha, Nebraska, designed exclusively for women. With John Kenefick’s (then-President of Union Pacific Railroad) $10,000 grant, Santa Monica began its groundbreaking work with only two residents.
Our name was inspired by St. Augustine’s mother, St. Monica (332 AD-387 AD), the patron saint of alcoholics, mothers, and victims of abuse. While we are not allied with any church or sect, St. Monica’s story continues to inform our mission. St. Monica may possibly have struggled with alcohol use and was a victim of spousal abuse, but is also remembered as a dedicated mother. Her commitment both to her own health and the well-being of her child serve as a reminder of the ways that one woman’s decision to heal can have a ripple effect within her family and community. Her son, the great Doctor of the Church, credits his mother’s health and prayers for his own conversion.
Today
Santa Monica has continued to flourish for more than forty years, thanks to support from our community, the dedication of our therapists and staff, and the long-term vision of our volunteer board of directors.
We remain committed to offering a holistic treatment experience. We use contemporary best practices grounded in proven research to help improve women’s mental, physical and spiritual health as they break the cycle of addiction.
Tomorrow
As a result of this ongoing support and dedication, we are expanding our capacity to serve addicted women through the addition of a three-quarter-way house.
The more time a resident spends in therapeutic recovery settings that gradually decrease the levels of oversight, the more successful the resident can be at achieving and maintaining sobriety, according to research. Santa Monica is excited to provide its women a longer-term, gradual re-entry into their respective communities. They can emerge from the program feeling confident in their abilities to respond to life’s circumstances without needing alcohol or drugs to cope.