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Who We Are

Our mission is to help children and youth achieve safety, stability, and enduring family relationships. Each day, CEDARS provides this mission-focused work to over 1,000 kids through an array of programs. In the last year, CEDARS supported 2,531 kids and families.

CEDARS started in 1947 because one couple believed they could provide a better life for a child. That belief grew into the CEDARS we know today – a powerful force for good that helps kids and families across Nebraska.

Jim BluePresident and CEO

CEDARS Senior Leadership

Jim Blue

President

jblue@cedarskids.org

Cindy Rudolph

Chief Financial Officer

crudolph@cedarskids.org

Tina Rhode

Executive Vice President for Human Resources

trhode@cedarskids.org

Melissa Nance

Executive Vice President for Service Delivery 

mnance@cedarskids.org

Kristin Jakub

Vice President of Communications 

kjakub@cedarskids.org

CEDARS Service Directors

Vicky Thompson Smith

Service Area Director - Emergency Shelter, Youth Opportunity (Drop-In) Center, Semi-Supported, and Independent Living Programs

vsmith@cedarskids.org

Nikki Barber

Service Area Director - Foster Care and Youth and Family Intervention

nbarber@cedarskids.org

Amara Madsen

Service Area Director - Clinical, Prevention, Early Childhood, and School-Age Programs

amadsen@cedarskids.org

CEDARS Youth Services Board of Directors 

(Back row, left to right) Spencer Bergen, Keith Bell, John Woodrich, Quentin Brown
(Middle row, left to right) Karen Helmberger - Board Vice Chair, Dallas Jones, Tom McBride, Brian Morrow
(Front row, left to right) Bill Ellerbee, CEDARS President and CEO Jim Blue, Makenzie Rath, Dr. Lynn Fuller, Judi M. gaiashkibos, Judy Halstead - Board Chair, CEDARS CFO Cindy Rudolph, Tony Ojeda

Contact Us

For questions, general feedback, or to learn more about us, please fill out our contact form. We will be in touch as soon as possible.