metroMAGAZINE August/September 2021

TO F O G R ET W HE AR R D

0-CVRS-821.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:11 PM Page CVR1

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

•

SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

•

FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

0-CVRS-821.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:11 PM Page CVR2

1-LEAD SECTION-821-q20.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:04 PM Page 1

1-LEAD SECTION-821-q20.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:04 PM Page 2

1-LEAD SECTION-821-q20.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:04 PM Page 3

ADAPTING TO MEET YOUR NEEDS! FALL 2021 EDITION!

RESERVE YOUR SPACE EARLY & SAVE!

The Giving Guide & The Event Book 2021 Email us at CONNECT@SpiritofOmaha.com Email Subject: “FALL TGGEB21!”

CELEBRATING THE ONGOING COMMITMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY’S GIVING SPIRIT WITH TWO EDITIONS IN 2021!

PUBLISHER ANDREA “ANDEE” HOIG

FALL 2021 EDITION! RESERVE & SAVE!

1-LEAD SECTION-821-q20.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:04 PM Page 4

in this ISSUE

8

FOCUSED ON RECOVERY local area nonprofits

featured in this issue

16

TO F G OR ET W HE AR R D

cover story

connecting our community

22

WE ASK YOU: “What bright spots or new initiatives have come from pandemic-related adversity over the past 15 months?”

connecting to our diversity departments/columns

18

GAME CHANGERS • LESLIE ANDERSEN

“WHAT bright spots OR new initiatives HAVE COME FROM PANDEMIC-RELATED adversity OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS?”

we ask you...

presented by planitinc.

22

• mMAGAZINE

forward TOGETHER

SHARE OMAHA lifting up do-gooders

BALLET

Th e p an d em ic h as b een ch allen g in g for everyon e, b u t it also h as created op p ortun ities. W ith m an y live p erform an ces can celed , ch oreog rap h ers w ere excited to join us in creatin g n ew w orks. B ecause w e h ad to w ork rem otely an yw ay for safety reason s, it actually allow ed us to w ork w ith an am azin g roster of ch oreog rap h ers from all over th e U n ited States.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed women and girls to the frontlines and amplified the dramatic inequities that impact women and girls, especially women of color, in our community.

The heightened awareness of these issues allowed the Women’s Fund to put equity at the center of all relief efforts.

In 2020, we extended funding to grantees totaling $4.6 million and provided testimony on 18 legislative bills with four of those bills becoming law. We also celebrate the passage of Measure 428 to end predatory lending in Nebraska! During the 2021 legislative session, we celebrated the passage of eight new bills becoming law that will make a big impact for women and girls.

Our community woke up to some

Julia Penny Hebenstreit Parker EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE KIM FOUNDATION While the COVID-19 pandemic created an extreme sense of fear, loss and heartache in our country, The Kim Foundation made a conscious effort to find the silver linings as things progressed.

Business as usual could no longer be a mindset that we could operate under. In response, our team pulled together and got creative about how to disseminate our message of hope and healing and information to help promote mental wellness, suicide prevention, and community resources at a time where it was more crucial than ever.

For so long the majority of our work was done face-to-face in schools and other parts of the community; when that was no longer an option we remained

CEO, COMPLETELY KIDS

The pandemic was hard on everyone, but especially families living in poverty. Recognizing this, Completely KIDS resolved to continue living its mission despite the many challenges encountered during the pandemic. The organization’s dedicated and resilient staff was creative and resourceful in finding ways to continue to serve the children and families of our community with remote programming and resources offered throughout the year.

Necessarily, Completely KIDS expanded much-needed behavioral health services by providing online individual and group access to discussions on mindfulness, emotion recognition/regulation and stress-reduction. Additionally, donors and community volunteers

Sandra Reding PRESIDENT, AKSARBEN FOUNDATION

As a convener of statewide leadership, Aksarben has been in a unique position to see the various industry shifts which occurred during and post the height of the COVID-19 pandemic up close. Our special edition of Spirit of Aksarben highlighted these bright spots and exemplified the strength of Nebraska businesses and leaders as we all navigated this new terrain together.

No business or industry was immune to the pitfalls of this virus.

With so many agricultural and transportation jobs in the state, the majority of Nebraska was “essential” to keep the country supplied with food and other needed supplies, reminding everyone of Nebraska’s strength to pull together and get

Tracy Madden- Sandy McMahon Lemke PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Being a teenager is tough enough.

Now factor in the stress, grief and isolation caused by COVID-19, and it’s led to rising rates of anxiety and depression.

Methodist Hospital Foundation saw an opportunity to impact young lives and increase access to mental health care.We began rallying support to expand Methodist Community Counseling’s Summer Program.

When school is not in session, the Summer Program eliminates barriers and promotes mental wellness by meeting students where they are, traveling to youth clubs and other environments where young people feel most comfortable.

Methodist Community Counseling and its licensed mental health

connecting to our answers

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

27

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CEO, AMERICAN MIDWEST Going Solo, American Midwest Ballet’s innovative series of original dance films, caught the interest of choreographers across the country—and as a result, five guest-created works premiered in (PJOH 4PMP 5IF (VFTU 4FSJFT.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WOMEN'S FUND

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

VANDENACK WEAVER LLC planning matters

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE DURHAM MUSEUM

Designed to connect students to history and to each other, Museum Live!, a weekly broadcast for students created by The Durham Museum, comprises multiple, short, recurring segments such as “Today in History” and “History Mystery.”

Scripted and delivered in a 30minute news format, staff from across all departments assume the roles of anchors and correspondents, delivering content on an array of topics. The museum also partners with KETV and meteorologist Matt Serwe to offer a weekly sciencebased weather segment.

Museum Live! connects classrooms with museums from across the country including The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, The Greensboro History

Jo Giles

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

26

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, NOTRE DAME HOUSING

When COVID-19 finally made it to the Midwest early in 2020, we shifted priorities to pandemic safety for the 120-plus low-to-moderateincome seniors who live here at Notre Dame Housing in North Omaha. The senior center— usually open daily to the public— shut down, so programs like group exercise or lectures were paused. We changed our hot lunch program to door-to-door delivery.

During the pandemic we established an Amazon Wish List so individual donors could buy gifts for individual residents like hygiene products or games and puzzles; even a new park bench was donated.

We established a bulletin written

Erika Overturff

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

metroSPIRIT with mary vandenack

We have seen an enormous level of renewed collaboration and local support in our rural southwest Iowa communities as a result of the pandemic.

Neighbors supported local business, partner organizations rallied together to problem-solve in new ways and work together better, and I think we were all reminded of the strength of rural ingenuity and togetherness.

Since we support and promote outdoor recreation experiences in the Loess Hills, the overwhelming interest in hiking, biking and paddling has ushered in a new day for conservation awareness and stewardship of our cherished

Christi Janssen

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

25

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOLDEN HILLS RC&D

Molly Mullen

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

omaha giving

Michelle Wodtke Franks

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

24

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MERRYMAKERS ASSOCIATION Merrymakers Association serves Nebraska and Iowa senior communities with professional musical entertainment. The pandemic certainly served to remind us of the importance of improving the quality of life for isolated older adults.

As a 35-year-old organization serving 160 locations every month, we are proud of how we continued to serve our locations during the pandemic with virtual performances. Merrymakers locations include nursing homes, assisted living centers, senior centers, veterans’ homes and even hospice care. One of our partner communities called Merrymakers a “lifeline” for its isolated residents and

16

SWARTZBAUGH, FARBER & ASSOC. your money

27

connecting to our opportunities

STEPHANIE VONDRAK impact!

events

29

SCENE

18

highlights from recent charity & cultural events

42

SAVE THE DATE presented in collaboration with SHAREOmaha

ENTER YOUR 2021-2022 CHARITY EVENTS NOW! Events can be included in: • weeklyCONNECTOR e-newsletter, • print and digital editions of metroMAGAZINE • Fall edition of The Giving Guide & Event Book • SpiritofOmaha.com

8

connecting to our recovery

4

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF DWYER PHOTOGRAPHY

1-LEAD SECTION-821-q20.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:04 PM Page 5

CREDITS

metroMAGAZINE is wholly owned and operated by the publisher and is not affiliated with any other publication, operating solely on subscription and advertising revenues and the good will of the agencies and charities we support; all of which are very important to the continuing growth and quality of this publication. Thank you to all who support this endeavor.

OFFICE/SALES

402.932.3522 | sales@SpiritofOmaha.com

CELEBRATING WOMEN 2021 • VOL. 33 NO. 3 Press releases and other editorial information may be sent to: P.O. BOX 241611, OMAHA, NE 68124 or e-mailed to: Editor@SpiritofOmaha.com Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Andrea L. “ANDEE” Hoig

Creative Collaboration Elissa Joy Omaha Community Foundation

MISSION STATEMENT ALH Publications exists to inform, inspire and connect those who give back to the community through volunteerism and philanthropy, recognizing the ongoing efforts of area businesses, organizations and individuals who better our community.

partner with us...

MAKE THE CONNECTION!

“We have generations of individuals that have passion, and generations that have need.

When those two meet, great relationships occur. metroMAGAZINE and The Giving Guide & Event Book consistently help connect and foster those relationships.” ~ NATE DODGE PRESIDENT, NP DODGE COMPANY

Contents of this magazine are copyrighted by ALH Publications, Inc. in their entirety. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without prior written consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 1990 – 2021 ALH Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Jim Scholz

Editor/Creative Director Rob Killmer

Kara Schweiss SHARE Omaha

Community Engagement CONNECT@SpiritofOmaha.com

402.932.3522 • CONNECT@SpiritofOmaha.com

Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates Stephanie Vondrak D.D.S. VW Law

Special Thanks Printco Graphics

M ichael J. Weaver, J.D.

What else is possible in 2021?

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

with ANDEE Hoig podcast

5

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

1-LEAD SECTION-821-q20.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:04 PM Page 6

1-LEAD SECTION-821-q20.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:04 PM Page 7

words FROM MY HEART

mMAGAZINE • LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

FORWARD In the midst of so much that is challenging all of us, there exists the opportunity to connect with all that remains so beautifu in and around each of our lives!

together

We live on a beautiful planet. We are gifted just the right amount of sunlight, moonlight, light and darkness to sustain a little over 7.5 billion human beings and close to 15 million animal species (according to Science Daily) … WOW! The past eighteen months have certainly been interesting and at times challenging for me—both personally and with my media company—but what I have discovered in the midst of it all is a tremendous amount of gratitude for the planet we live on. Spending time in nature has become a priority for me … regardless of where I am. I often head to Estes Park Colorado to enjoy the Rocky Mountains. I just returned from a trip to Chattanooga Tennessee. I have never been to Tennessee. It is beautiful, green and has so much nature to play with.

Nature doesn’t judge, nature doesn’t hate, nature doesn’t fear … nature just is.

Nature invites us to just BE with it. To just BE and connect with it. Even in times like these.

ANDREA L. HOIG ahoig@SpiritofOmaha.com

I am sure you all are familiar with the phrase “Tree Hugger”…but did you know that actually hugging a tree increases levels of the hormone oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for feeling calm and emotional bonding. When hugging a tree, the hormones serotonin and dopamine make you feel happier. It is possible to use this “free” space of forests we were given by nature to holistically heal ourselves.

Putting our feet on the grass or in the dirt also offers many benefits…research on “grounding” or “earthing” does show solid evidence of increasing your overall health through better sleep or lower inflammation or even better blood flow.

The planet gifts us so many opportunities for connection, happiness, healing and optimal health. It’s free, it’s a gift! And we just have to choose it.

If you have Netflix, watch Moving Art. Three seasons of beautiful imagery and music. It’s great for when you can’t go outside and be in nature or even when you can. One of my favorites is “Flowers” from season one.

I encourage you all to get out in nature. Even if it is just for a walk around your neighborhood. The trees, the grass, the rocks, the animals are here for us, contributing to us all the time. We just need to receive from all of this awesomeness.

There is a lot going on in the world and we are very aware of all of it. Be kind to yourself and know that we are all moving forward together. Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you each and every day, in every moment.

podcast

with ANDEE Hoig

With Ease, Joy and Gratitude for all that you BE! ~ Andee

7

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

8-15-NP-COVER-821.qxp_8pp 8/2/21 12:46 PM Page 8

In 2020, metroMAGAZINE explored how the COVID-19 pandemic affected our local nonprofits’ operations and how they continued to serve the community despite unforeseeable forward TOGETHER demands on staff and resources. Now we look at how they are moving forward in 2021.

l

KIDS CAN COMMUNITY CENTER

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF OMAHA 8

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

8-15-NP-COVER-821.qxp_8pp 8/2/21 12:46 PM Page 9

STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS • PHOTOS PROVIDED COURTESY OF FEATURED ORGANIZATIONS

• mMAGAZINE

focused on recovery

local area nonprofits

as the masks are coming off and we are gathering again, local nonprofits are seeing the return of volunteers and in-person fundraising events.

However, these organizations that saw unprecedented levels of need and discovered the depths of their resourcefulness and ingenuity during the pandemic still need the support of the community. There are many ways to help; visit the organizations’ websites for more information. And visit SpiritofOmaha.com for the most up-to-date information on nonprofit fundraising events and community activities.

Avenue Scholars COVID-19 forced Avenue Scholars to deliver programming in different ways, as well as expand to address needs nonexistent or less prominent prior to the pandemic, said President/CEO Dr. Ken Bird. Avenue Scholars staff continued to meet with students and program partners in person when safely possible, but redeveloped high-school curriculum and career-awareness activities to virtual delivery.

“We provided laptops and wi-fi hotspots to students with technology needs, and also performed weekly check-ins with students in the early stages of the pandemic to identify and address personal, academic and work-related needs,” Bird said.

Avenue Scholars’ work is very relationship-oriented, he added.

“The strongest connections come through face-to-face interaction, and given that, the ability to resume regular in-person meetings with students and program partners—without the constrictions of masks, physical distancing, and other protocols—is a major cause of celebration for our organization.”

The challenges brought by the pandemic focused the team’s attention on the fundamentals of programming, Bird said.

“As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, and the pandemic prompted reflection, innovation, and enhanced collaboration that has made our organization stronger. Increased communication and collaboration among nonprofit, philanthropic, and state and local education leaders has also been a bright spot.”

the new normal

FOR AREA NONPROFITS

CONTINUED

8-15-NP-COVER-821.qxp_8pp 8/2/21 12:46 PM Page 10

local area

nonprofits

Dreamweaver Foundation

“The pandemic challenged our team to think outside of the box when it came to serving Because seniors are an at-risk population, seniors in our community. In a normal year, Dreamweaver was not able to grant dreams Dreamweaver was serving around 150-200 during the height of the pandemic, Executive seniors,” Mastny said, but with the new Director Cheri Mastny said. programming, “all-in-all, we were able to make “Instead, we shifted our focus to a new program: personal connections with over 2,000 seniors in 2020.”

Connecting Hope. Connecting Hope aims to lessen feelings of isolation, depression and loneliness within the senior population by providing tablets to seniors so they can be Empowerment Network together with their loved ones virtually,” she explained. “Now we have adopted this program Community Health Centers, North Omaha Area Health (NOAH), churches and other permanently by providing GrandPads, which provide even more ways for seniors to break the community-based agencies to create the feeling of isolation… Connecting Hope allows Healthy Village Collaborative (HVC) focused on North Omaha and South Omaha. Its us to serve seniors in a different way for years innovative, culturally relevant strategy for to come.” behavioral and physical health aims to make behavioral health a normal part of health GrandPads are easy-to-use smart tablets designed for seniors and allow family members discussion, improve behavioral and physical health outcomes and address social and loved ones to connect through video calls determinants of health. HVC saw a reduction and upload photos for the senior to view. The in COVID-19 cases and deaths and is seeing devices also provide internet browsing and many other positive results in the communities games, and are portable due to cellular it serves. compatibility.

The organization also collaborated with No More Empty Pots and the Omaha Housing Authority to ensure residents and seniors received meals.

This year, the Empowerment Network African American Leadership Conference and Luncheon and Revive Business Expo is returning to an in-person format at the CHI Health Center on September 23 and 24. The event will feature guest speaker Earvin “Magic” Johnson, NBA legend and business entrepreneur.

Girls Inc. of Omaha Girls Inc. of Omaha switched to virtual programming initially and then provided a hybrid of virtual and face-to-face (or mask-tomask) programming as the pandemic progressed, said Executive Director Roberta Wilhelm. This including supervising eschooling, delivering educational and basic hygiene and cleaning supplies to homes, and connecting with girls via phone or video calls.

The organization also partnered with Nebraska Medicine and converted its gym into a COVID vaccine clinic for the community.

Now, the organization is returning to its regular operations, Wilhelm said.

AFTER LIVING IN ISOLATION FOR 13 MONTHS, COLETTA IS CELEBRATING HER 96TH BIRTHDAY WITH HER ENTIRE FAMILY DREAMWEAVER FOUNDATION The organization’s annual fundraising event, Boots & Buckets, returns in person on September 16. Making Spirits Bright, featuring hand-written holiday cards, launched during the holidays. And a new fundraiser, Drive FORE! Dreams, debuted this spring at Top Golf.

During the pandemic, Empowerment Network also expanded its online North Omaha Digital Village Zone Map and Village Zone Adopt-ABlock strategy. Village Zone Champions were identified by each church to help distribute masks, hand sanitizers and educational materials about COVID-19 and testing.

10

“We opened up at a reduced capacity for summer 2021 and it has been wonderful to have the girls back in the building with our regular programming,” she said. “Assuming the community infection rate stays low and we are able to manage variants, we look forward to a more normal capacity this fall.”

The organization’s website provides information on opportunities to support Girls Inc. including donations of material goods, providing host sites for Eureka! STEM externships, and volunteering and mentoring.

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

8-15-NP-COVER-821.qxp_8pp 8/2/21 12:46 PM Page 11

DREAMWEAVER FOUNDATION CONTINUED

RICK ENJOYS HIS BIG CATCH ON HIS FISHING DREAM WITH DREAMWEAVER PARTNER LIVE WELL. GO FISH…

•

mMAGAZINE

focused on recovery STAFF TEAM WITH MASKS

Brewer said she is happy to announce that on September 9, Habitat Omaha’s 15th Annual Brew Haha fundraising event returns, and in person (ticket information is at HabitatOmaha.org).

“This past year, we were reminded what is means to support each other as a team. We’ll continue to uplift each other and to celebrate the work we are achieving together,” Brewer said. “We were also inspired by the strength and compassion of Habitat Omaha homeowners, Home Improvement Program partners and our community of supporters.”

Intercultural Senior Center Intercultural Senior Center (ISC), a community center for adults ages 50 and up, provides activities and social services that help people from around the world enjoy life with greater independence, well-being and socialization. In March 2020, the organization had to suspend in-person activities.

GIRLS INC. OF OMAHA

“We quickly pivoted to food pantry delivery, filling a critical gap in community pantry services for isolated older adults. We soon The annual fundraising event Lunch for the Habitat for Humanity of Omaha added prepared meals, hygiene items, and pet Girls, featuring astronaut and engineer Mae “While last year was definitely challenging, we food. We renovated two shuttle buses to be Jemison, is scheduled for November 11. stayed focused on expanding access to mobile workspaces where social workers could affordable homeownership and home repair meet confidentially and safely with older adults, Wilhelm praised her staff for creativity and resources. Through COVID mortgage relief and we offered limited activities outdoors, persistence during the pandemic, and the funds, we were able to help more than 300 online, and over the phone,” Executive Director community for generosity and flexibility. families keep their homes during the pandemic,” Carolina Padilla said. “Now that we are re“We have been grateful for all of the support and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha CEO Amanda opening for in-person programming, we are Brewer said. “For the first time in Habitat committed to continuing food pantry delivery.” the people who recognized that the girls and Omaha’s history, we could not have a large their families might have different needs number of volunteers on the build site. Our In May 2021, ISC became the first senior center during COVID, but they still had needs,” she crews were able to build or renovate 46 homes in Nebraska to earn accreditation from the said. “They needed us to be there for them and, and completed 132 home repairs. We know a National Council on Aging’s National Institute with the support of the community, we were stable, healthy home can be a game-changer for of Senior Centers. The ISC team also looks able to do that.” hardworking families and we were determined forward to its World Bash event returning to get the job done.”

August 19. Another bright spot is that ISC’s food delivery service connected ISC with hardThe organization’s greatest need now, Brewer to-reach individuals, growing the said, is land acquisition. organization’s client base over 450 percent. And the center’s renovated shuttle bus called the “The cost to purchase a home has skyrocketed in SAVE bus provides a means for social workers the Metro Omaha market. It’s getting harder to to easily meet with clients in the community. find land to build new homes as well as affordable options for houses for sell to “We thought it would be a short-term solution renovate,” she explained. “We’d love to find to pandemic conditions, but it is so popular E-SCHOOL SETUP those larger pieces of property for sale where and effective that we acquired a second one,” we can build multiple homes in the same area.” Padilla said.

GIRLS INC. OF OMAHA the new normal

FOR AREA NONPROFITS

CONTINUED

8-15-NP-COVER-821.qxp_8pp 8/2/21 12:46 PM Page 12

KIDS CAN COMMUNITY CENTER

local area Nebraska Humane Society

nonprofits Pottawattamie County Community Foundation

The Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) team is excited to get back to visiting with pets and their “With the pandemic issues pressing down on our people, said Pam Wiese, VP Public Relations and entire community, it was gratifying and inspiring Marketing, and next up is The Walk for the to experience our community coming together Animals returning September 26 to the NHS for collective solutions to help families and campus meadow. individuals. One of the truly transformational adaptations our organization made to create “It’s always been an outdoor event, and we have solutions related to these issues was to partner plenty of room, so it’s ‘tail-er-made’ for coming with the Iowa West Foundation for a unified out of a pandemic. We hope people and their pets COVID-19 Response fund,” President and CEO are ready to get out, walk, socialize and also help Donna Dostal said. “This initiative leveraged our us raise needed funding,” she said. collective voice in the community to gather charitable impact dollars, but also streamlined the At the beginning of the pandemic, the application and granting process for our organization was unsure about resources, nonprofit partners to expedite granting toward workforce, and the ability to continue working their needs. To date, we’ve collectively granted Kids Can Community Center with the public to adopt out animals. over $1.2 million in southwest Iowa in direct aid Kids Can closed for only two weeks at the toward hardship assistance, nonprofit beginning of the pandemic, CEO Robert “We put out a call for foster families to get as many sustainability, innovative medical solutions, and Patterson said, reopening on March 30, 2020, pets out of the building as possible so we could long-term recovery related to the pandemic.” with new restrictions and remaining open to stretch our resources, ” said Wiese.

“The silver serve families for the duration of the pandemic. lining is: Many were first-time foster providers PCCF is now turning its focus to long-term “Initially, we prioritized assistance for our parents who have now adopted the pets they took, or they recovery, Dostal said, and circling back to its Field of Interest funds including the Women’s Fund of working essential jobs—healthcare, grocery stores, are doing more fostering for us.”

Southwest Iowa and its four key areas of access to first responders, et cetera—and we reconfigured The organization switched to an online adoption affordable, quality childcare, aging in place and every room in our community center to application and appointment-based adoptions community, increased access to educational maximize space and adapt services safely. We during the pandemic to control crowds, and that resources for women of all ages, and women’s made a remote learning environment, process has now morphed into an electronic safety and wellbeing; and the Southwest Iowa implemented new full-day programming on the queue system.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse fund, which alternate days students weren’t at school, and targets increasing awareness and open dialogue created virtual content with corresponding take“That said, people can still drop in, peruse the pets that ensures mental well-being in the community home activities,” Patterson said. “Our objectives and fill out an application onsite as well.

We know and supports training for front-line providers. have grown stronger by facing every obstacle head-on during the past year. We recognized that sometimes it’s the eye contact that tugs at the we need to be quick on our feet more than ever to heart,” Wiese said. alter our services and accommodate our students, families, partners, and schools. We will continue NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY this mindset moving forward as Kids Can remains steadfast in our resolve to support our children and families.”

The focus is now on recovery through programs and services to ensure kids are engaged and back on track for academic recovery.

“We are honored to have staff who overcame obstacles to provide programming during difficult times. We are proud of our parents working in essential jobs to keep our community going and we are proud of our kids who through it all stayed engaged in their education and still had fun!”

Patterson said. “Kids Can is building a new community center to increase our capacity and chart a bright new future for generations to come.”

12

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

8-15-NP-COVER-821.qxp_8pp 8/2/21 12:46 PM Page 13

CONTINUED

ISC SAVE BUS 2020 INTERCULTURAL SENIOR CENTER

•

mMAGAZINE

focused on recovery POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY

PCCF’s inaugural Impact for Women Summit, with keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart, will take place October 28 with both an in-person experience and online participation.

STEPHEN CENTER CREATED YARD SIGNS AND DROPPED THEM OFF AT THE HOMES OF VOLUNTEERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SERVICE (OVER 100 SIGNS WERE DELIVERED)

“Certainly, the most bright-and-shining element that has emerged from the pandemic is the resiliency of our communities and our ability to rally together and help one another in the face of unprecedented adversity,” Dostal said.

Stephen Center Stephen Center Executive Director Michael Wehling said he’s proud of the organization’s staff, volunteers and clients for the role they played in minimizing positive cases campus-wide in 2020 while continuing to provide services to vulnerable individuals in the community.

“These measures were critical in helping Stephen Center prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as everyday viruses, while providing the basic needs of food, shelter and safety for men, women and children in our community as the pandemic continues, and beyond,” he said. “Procedures adopted during the pandemic, such as isolation spaces and food safety measures, will continue to be beneficial to combat other viruses, such as influenza and norovirus.”

STEPHEN CENTER the new normal

FOR AREA NONPROFITS

CONTINUED

8-15-NP-COVER-821.qxp_8pp 8/2/21 12:46 PM Page 14

local area

nonprofits

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

DONATION FROM MIDAMERICAN ENERGY FOR COVID-19 FUND

Stephen Center (cont’d.)

Many of the volunteers for the Meal Provider Program, sponsored by local churches and other organizations, are older individuals in a high-risk category for contracting COVID-19.

The organization saw a steep decline in meal provider participation in 2020, and although the groups are slowly returning, Stephen Center still has a handful of dinners without sponsorship each month, Wehling said.

Community support has been key to weathering the pandemic, he added.

“We appreciate the support of individuals, businesses, schools, churches and our partner social service agencies during the past 15 months, and are thankful for the strong relationships we’ve developed together.”

STEPHEN CENTER

Stephen Center will join with Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue in November to cohost the Omaha Hunger Experience. The virtual format was well-received last year and will continue this year. “We hope even more will participate in the format this year, hosting dinner parties with friends and neighbors and re-establishing connections,” Wehling said.

IN ADDITION TO SERVING ON THE FRONT LINES THEMSELVES, STAFF FROM CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLLECTED BLANKETS FOR STEPHEN CENTER

8-15-NP-COVER-821.qxp_8pp 8/2/21 12:46 PM Page 15

CONTINUED

•

mMAGAZINE

focused on recovery WCA

KIDS PLACE (GLENWOOD, IOWA) RECEIVED A WOMEN’S FUND GRANT IN SPRING 2020 POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Early during the pandemic, the WCA team went to a 100-percent remote work plan.

Advocates connected with victims virtually or via phone, and meetings and sessions were held via online platforms, said Chief Executive Officer Jannette Taylor, MOL, MSNDR. “Hospitals limited access due to spikes in COVID numbers and our emergency room support was also limited to phone calls and virtual meetings,” she said.

WCA soon found a way to open its facility, albeit at 50-percent capacity, to continue to provide in-person services and supports.

“In February (2021), the organization had all staff back in the office working an adjusted schedule to maintain a 50-percent building capacity and have staff work remote and inperson on alternating days,” Taylor said.

“During COVID, domestic violence increased as victims were forced into mandatory quarantines with their abusers. The WCA saw an increase in emergency shelter from $25,000 in 2019 to $54,000 in 2020. We had more clients requesting basic needs items; food, rental/utilities assistance, et cetera.”

WCA

the new normal

FOR AREA NONPROFITS

FOLLOW THE rest of this story ONLINE AT spiritofomaha.com

xxx-WeAskYou-821-q20B.qxp_Layout 1 7/17/21 3:50 PM Page 16

forward TOGETHER

we ask you...

When COVID-19 finally made it to the Midwest early in 2020, we shifted priorities to pandemic safety for the 120-plus low-to-moderateincome seniors who live here at Notre Dame Housing in North Omaha. The senior center— usually open daily to the public— shut down, so programs like group exercise or lectures were paused. We changed our hot lunch program to door-to-door delivery.

During the pandemic we established an Amazon Wish List so individual donors could buy gifts for individual residents like hygiene products or games and puzzles; even a new park bench was donated.

We established a bulletin written by and for the residents, which we utilized for isolation prevention and to give important COVID-19 information. We also began a penpal program with UNMC students once a week with telephone, emails and letters. Partner organizations and volunteers came through to offer care packages for residents or other gifts and items or grab-andgo snacks.

In February 2021, we worked with Methodist Hospital and vaccinated our staff and residents from the coronavirus in one day, very early in the vaccination roll-out.

We did not lose one resident or staff member to COVID-19.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE DURHAM MUSEUM Designed to connect students to history and to each other, Museum Live!, a weekly broadcast for students created by The Durham Museum, comprises multiple, short, recurring segments such as “Today in History” and “History Mystery.”

Scripted and delivered in a 30minute news format, staff from across all departments assume the roles of anchors and correspondents, delivering content on an array of topics. The museum also partners with KETV and meteorologist Matt Serwe to offer a weekly sciencebased weather segment.

Museum Live! connects classrooms with museums from across the country including The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, The Greensboro History Museum, and the National Museum of American History. Most viewers’ favorite segments include historic actors and Professor Durham, a puppet designed for Museum Live!, and brought to life by a local puppeteer, Jessica Burrill-Logue.

Museum Live! came when teachers needed reliable and unique virtual experiences. The impact has been tremendous, with over 60,000 participants from most of Nebraska’s counties and 20 states.

I am incredibly proud of our Education team for their innovation and passion that took this idea and made it into one of the most successful programs in our museum’s history.

Museum Live! is here to stay!

16

Erika Overturff ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CEO, AMERICAN MIDWEST BALLET Going Solo, American Midwest Ballet’s innovative series of original dance films, caught the interest of choreographers across the country—and as a result, five guest-created works premiered in Going Solo: The Guest Series.

The pandemic has been challenging for everyone, but it also has created opportunities. With many live performances canceled, choreographers were excited to join us in creating new works. Because we had to work remotely anyway for safety reasons, it actually allowed us to work with an amazing roster of choreographers from all over the United States.

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, NOTRE DAME HOUSING

Christi Janssen

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

We have seen an enormous level of renewed collaboration and local support in our rural southwest Iowa communities as a result of the pandemic.

Neighbors supported local business, partner organizations rallied together to problem-solve in new ways and work together better, and I think we were all reminded of the strength of rural ingenuity and togetherness.

Since we support and promote outdoor recreation experiences in the Loess Hills, the overwhelming interest in hiking, biking and paddling has ushered in a new day for conservation awareness and stewardship of our cherished natural places.

Molly Mullen

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GOLDEN HILLS RC&D

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Michelle Wodtke Franks

Jo Giles EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WOMEN'S FUND The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed women and girls to the frontlines and amplified the dramatic inequities that impact women and girls, especially women of color, in our community.

The heightened awareness of these issues allowed the Women’s Fund to put equity at the center of all relief efforts.

In 2020, we extended funding to grantees totaling $4.6 million and provided testimony on 18 legislative bills with four of those bills becoming law. We also celebrate the passage of Measure 428 to end predatory lending in Nebraska! During the 2021 legislative session, we celebrated the passage of eight new bills becoming law that will make a big impact for women and girls.

Our community woke up to some of the inequities facing women and girls and advocates came together to advance solutions and push for these real changes. As we work to rebuild from a global health pandemic, economic recession and racial reckoning, we have an opportunity and an obligation to build bridges to a better future. The old ways weren’t working. We can and we must do better for all Nebraskans.

xxx-WeAskYou-821-q20B.qxp_Layout 1 7/17/21 3:50 PM Page 17

• mMAGAZINE

“WHAT bright spots OR new initiatives HAVE COME FROM PANDEMIC-RELATED adversity OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS?”

The pandemic was hard on everyone, but especially families living in poverty. Recognizing this, Completely KIDS resolved to continue living its mission despite the many challenges encountered during the pandemic. The organization’s dedicated and resilient staff was creative and resourceful in finding ways to continue to serve the children and families of our community with remote programming and resources offered throughout the year.

Necessarily, Completely KIDS expanded much-needed behavioral health services by providing online individual and group access to discussions on mindfulness, emotion recognition/regulation and stress-reduction. Additionally, donors and community volunteers rallied to sustain the Completely KIDS mission and were quick to offer monetary support and help preparing hundreds of bags of food and hygiene products for distribution via safe, touchless mobile drive-thru. The ingenuity and diligence in finding workable solutions around pandemic constraints reinforced to Completely KIDS the resolve and passion of the staff and supporters and the strength of its mission to be there for the children and families of our community.

PRESIDENT, AKSARBEN FOUNDATION As a convener of statewide leadership, Aksarben has been in a unique position to see the various industry shifts which occurred during and post the height of the COVID-19 pandemic up close. Our special edition of Spirit of Aksarben highlighted these bright spots and exemplified the strength of Nebraska businesses and leaders as we all navigated this new terrain together.

No business or industry was immune to the pitfalls of this virus.

With so many agricultural and transportation jobs in the state, the majority of Nebraska was “essential” to keep the country supplied with food and other needed supplies, reminding everyone of Nebraska’s strength to pull together and get the job done.

Aksarben pulled together to continue its work on workforce development. Initiatives such as the Nebraska Tech Collaborative and Growing Together continued operating within their respective spheres and even continued to grow through virtual work and teleconferencing. We can all take something away from the challenges of the past year and come away with more pride than ever to be Nebraskans.

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Being a teenager is tough enough.

Now factor in the stress, grief and isolation caused by COVID-19, and it’s led to rising rates of anxiety and depression.

Methodist Hospital Foundation saw an opportunity to impact young lives and increase access to mental health care.We began rallying support to expand Methodist Community Counseling’s Summer Program.

When school is not in session, the Summer Program eliminates barriers and promotes mental wellness by meeting students where they are, traveling to youth clubs and other environments where young people feel most comfortable.

Methodist Community Counseling and its licensed mental health professionals were asked to provide additional group sessions and partner with additional agencies this summer.

The ultimate goal is a more resilient student with sharper coping and stress management skills.

Our foundation donors, includingThe Sherwood Foundation,The Hawks Foundation,The Kim Foundation,The Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation, and the JE Dunn Foundation, believe in and generously support Community Counseling. Its Summer Program is helping young people deal with the lingering impact of the pandemic and prepare for emotional life-stressors to come.

Mentally healthy students have a better chance to develop skills that encourage success in school and life.

we ask you FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

While the COVID-19 pandemic created an extreme sense of fear, loss and heartache in our country, The Kim Foundation made a conscious effort to find the silver linings as things progressed.

Business as usual could no longer be a mindset that we could operate under. In response, our team pulled together and got creative about how to disseminate our message of hope and healing and information to help promote mental wellness, suicide prevention, and community resources at a time where it was more crucial than ever.

For so long the majority of our work was done face-to-face in schools and other parts of the community; when that was no longer an option we remained committed to carrying out our mission for the health and safety of the communities we serve.

COVID not only impacted our country's physical health, but it also allowed us to shine a light on the importance for positive mental health on a greater level than we've seen before.

CEO, COMPLETELY KIDS

Sandra Reding

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE KIM FOUNDATION

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Julia Penny Hebenstreit Parker

Tracy Madden- Sandy McMahon Lemke EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MERRYMAKERS ASSOCIATION Merrymakers Association serves Nebraska and Iowa senior communities with professional musical entertainment. The pandemic certainly served to remind us of the importance of improving the quality of life for isolated older adults.

As a 35-year-old organization serving 160 locations every month, we are proud of how we continued to serve our locations during the pandemic with virtual performances. Merrymakers locations include nursing homes, assisted living centers, senior centers, veterans’ homes and even hospice care. One of our partner communities called Merrymakers a “lifeline” for its isolated residents and Nebraska Arts Council called Merrymakers a “model” for how we navigated the pandemic.

With live music as the highestattended activity in senior communities, Merrymakers is a unique gift for older adults who have been isolated for so long. Now that visitor restrictions in senior communities are easing, Merrymakers is getting more calls for our services than ever. With continued support from our generous donors, we stand ready to serve older adults with the highest quality musical entertainers available.

18-21-GAMECHANGERS-821q20.qxp_- 8/2/21 1:24 PM Page 18

game CHANGERS

“

• PRESENTED BY

I LOVE TO BE challenged AND I LOVE TO learn.

”

~ LESLIE ANDERSEN

LESLIE ANDERSEN 18

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

18-21-GAMECHANGERS-821q20.qxp_- 8/2/21 1:24 PM Page 19

STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM SCHOLZ

• mMAGAZINE

She’s still in the minority as a female banking executive, but i3 Bank President and CEO Leslie Andersen has never felt there were barriers to her success.

connected

PRESENTS

game changers

• LESLIE ANDERSEN

CONTINUED

18-21-GAMECHANGERS-821q20.qxp_- 8/2/21 1:24 PM Page 20

game CHANGERS

• PRESENTED BY

connected PRESIDENT AND CEO LESLIE ANDERSEN NOT ONLY HAS DEEP TIES TO

Back to Bennington

i3 BANK FORMERLY KNOWN AS BANK OF

Andersen graduated from UNL with a bachelor’s degree became the second female chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association NBA in 2001, and the newborn in finance and married soon after. She earned her later accompanied her on business. master’s degree in business administration while her Naval aviator husband David was in flight school in “Everybody just rolled with it. She went to all the Virginia. meetings with me at the NBA office. I would put her in

BENNINGTON, SHE WAS BORN INTO THE BUSINESS. “I’m a fourthgeneration banker. My greatgrandfather and grandfather started this bank in 1928,” she said.

“I’ve been working here since I was 12.”

Andersen was a sixthgrader on holiday break when several of the bank’s handful of employees were out with the flu. Critical administrative work needed to get done, so she assisted with counting checks and stuffing scores of envelopes.

Andersen was pregnant with her third child when she

“This was before distance learning, and Golden Gate

a bassinet at the front desk and they would watch her,

University had a contract with the Navy and taught

and if she cried they would bring her to me,” Andersen

classes on the Navy base. Dependents were eligible; I

said. Unsurprisingly, she instilled familyfriendly

was mostly in classes with guys who were trying to get

policies at i3 Bank.

their MBA while they were in the Navy,” Andersen said.

A Woman to Watch

“Back then, everybody had to get a paper bank statement with all of their processed checks in it,” she said. “Everyone had to get a yearend statement before you could close the books for the year. My first job was coming in to help do those bank statements. All of that by hand.”

She went to work for a bank in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1992, In addition to the NBA, Andersen has served numerous the couple moved back to Nebraska to raise their young professional organizations including Federal Advisory

It was a great introduction to banking, she said.

Andersen continued to work for the bank during holiday and summer breaks, along with occasional Saturdays, through high school. As the Bennington native made the decision to attend college at the University of NebraskaLincoln, she also decided to step away from Bank of Bennington.

“As CEO, I’m responsible for everything, eventually. It all

“After my senior year in high school and after my freshman year in college, I worked as a teller at Norwest, which is now Wells Fargo, just to get some experience outside of here,” she said. “In college, I got an internship at National Bank of Commerce in Lincoln and worked in their credit analysis department.”

“I have never had that feeling of not being able to do

family, and Andersen rejoined the bank in Bennington.

Council to the Board of Governors of the Federal

In 1994, she succeeded her father, Jerry Roe, as president. Reserve, BancAlliance, Corporation for American Her role has expanded along with the bank in the years Banking, and the American Bankers Association. In 2010, she was named number nine in the Top 25

since.

Women to Watch in banking.

comes up to me,” she said, adding praise for her

Andersen called out her federal service as especially

management team.

meaningful.

Banking is still largely maledominated, and as a female “We were by far the smallest bank there,” she said. “It executive Andersen is in the minority even today. But

was a great learning experience for me; and, I think, for

that’s never been a deterrent.

them, because I came with a community bank

something because I was a woman,” she said. She also said that colleagues have been supportive throughout

background and perspective, which is different than a big moneycenter bank perspective.”

Andersen said she enjoys being part of a smaller

her career. “Even when I was in Virginia and a youngpup community bank and connected with her customers. officercertainly not in the executive ranksI was lucky to always find a mentor. They were all men. They were great. Then when I moved back here, growing up in

“If you’re running a big, publicly traded company, you can’t be close to your client,” she said.

the business I naturally had a whole lot of mentors, too.”

20

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

18-21-GAMECHANGERS-821q20.qxp_- 8/2/21 1:24 PM Page 21

LESLIE ANDERSEN

• mMAGAZINE

This special feature is sponsored by planitinc.

“

IF YOU’RE RUNNING A big, PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY, YOU CAN’T BE close TO YOUR CLIENT. ~ LESLIE ANDERSEN

“

”

I HAVE never HAD THAT FEELING OF not BEING able TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE I WAS A woman.

”

~ LESLIE ANDERSEN

This special feature is sponsored by planitinc. planitinc. is dedicated to honoring women whose influence not only impacts the boardroom but the community.

“Welcome to

”

one of the largest and most prestigious meeting planning firms in the midwest omaha magazine B2B winners since 2008

We care about you

Reflecting an interest in health care issues and

During the 20202021 pandemic when walkin

economic development, Andersen has served many

business was closed, i3 Bank staff members reached

area organizations. She most recently served the

out to customers, especially those who were elderly, to

Greater Omaha Chamber board of directors as vice chair,

see if they needed assistance accessing social services

the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board,

or other support such as grocery ordering and delivery.

and Knights of Aksarben.

“We found lots of people who needed help that no one

“I love to be challenged and I love to learn, and I’m also

was reaching out to, and we could connect with them

a good problemsolver. So being able to be in those

just by calling and saying, ‘Hi, we care about you and are

situations where I can be helpful and learn more is

checking in. Are you okay?’” she said. “It was very well

exactly where I want to be,” she said. “And anything I

received, and we felt good that we were able to do it.”

can do to promote our state and promote our community and make sure we can continue to be a fantastic place to work, to live and to raise a family.”

PRESENTS

game changers

• LESLIE ANDERSEN

national, regional and local meetings and events nationally recognized as a leader in the meetings & event industry supporting our community through our nonprofit work and the boards/organizations we are members of planitinc. has been providing event and meeting management solutions for over twenty years. we are a client-centric firm that provides unmatched service and professionalism. while proudly located in the midwest, our crazy-talented event team works from NEW YORK to LA and everywhere in between.

xxx-COLUMNS-SPIRIT-821q20.qxp_WORKING 7/21/21 9:06 PM Page 22

Marjorie M. Maas, SHARE Omaha executive director

lifting up do-gooders

• SHARE OMAHA

THE metro AHEAD OF US: neighbors SHAPING THE future Who is a Do-gooder? Either you are one, or you know a few. SHARE Omaha defines do-gooders as those who see a need and do good for others or the community; those who raise their hands to help when a crisis or challenge arises around them; and those who regularly prioritize this good work, even in the light of personal sacrifice.

SHARE Omaha tells stories of volunteers, donors and general do-gooders regularly on our blog at SHAREomaha.org, and with this column we seek to act as a megaphone for those making our community and metro area better. These do-gooders could be individuals, businesses, families or nonprofit organizations.

OMLB Executive Director Shannon Snow talked about growing wealth within the city as a mechanism to see fruitful neighborhood development being personal. “It takes an individualized perspective,” Snow said. “Buying lunch from a locally-owned marjorie m. maas restaurant makes a difference. That business owner might not get through the day without those purchases.” Growing wealth and sustainability across the community and a neighborhood is done on a personal and individual level.

Planning and doing for the future You may have heard the term “BHAG,” a big, hairy, audacious goal. That acronym comes to mind when thinking about organizations tackling some future visioning and realization for our communities. In speaking with three organizations, I found do-gooders making important and incremental—but also huge—change when it comes to defining Omaha’s neighborhoods and their future potential: Omaha Municipal Land Bank (OMLB), Spark, and inCommon Community Development. Each of these organizations fill important spaces in the conversation and work of investment in neighborhoods and community-centered property development. Their missions are separate yet connected.

Why does work like this matter?

Speaking about inCommon’s work and values, Gray said, “We need to undo and repair the inequity of geography. It has a disproportional effect on BIPOC communities… Investing in historically disinvested neighborhoods through local leadership and decision-making can lead to citizen-led neighborhood planning and quality, affordable housing.”

OMLB defines its mission as serving as the catalyst for the transformation of distressed properties. That ties in with Spark, which sets forth to profoundly transform disinvested neighborhoods into prosperous and thriving communities. inCommon’s mission is to alleviate poverty at a root level by uniting and strengthening vulnerable neighborhoods. See a uniting thread there? You find big goals having deep impact in neighbors’ lives and improving the very fabric of our shared communities.

What you can do right now OMLB is launching an ambassador program to provide training to those interested in serving the Land Bank’s board of directors. If this work seems intriguing or is a passion for you, the program starts in September and applications are open.

We need one another; neighbors matter for neighborhoods Representatives from these organizations articulated that it is not their own plans, but the plans of the residents within the spaces and neighborhoods who want to see growth and investment that are most important to their work.

Jamie Berglund, executive director of Spark, explained their organization is a resource providing what is needed in leadership and project management to put together pieces of a community and constituency-led vision.

Pay attention to the planning board, zoning board and city council. All those decisions impact your neighborhood. Berglund had a challenge to those leaders and a means to keep the decisions relevant to those most impacted. She said those who are “privileged to make decisions need to look around the room and see who are there. When making decisions for those not there…identify needed community voices to make the best decisions. This is a great responsibility and great opportunity.”

Regarding the most key stakeholders in this work, she said, “The most important partner is the neighborhood and community group. To put a specific name to this is impossible. They are artists, short-term residents, long-term residents, young, old, and even the very unexpected person… There is no shortage to this effort.”

Christian Gray, director of inCommon, said front and center with this work is being people-powered. He said, “The greatest strength of any neighborhood are the residents that call these places home.” Additionally, regarding that power, “the resources are the residents themselves.”

Gray also mentioned the importance of being place-based in his organization’s guiding principles. “Opportunities are tied to geography.

Where we grow up matters. It determines our schools, our social ties, our health, our housing, our mobility, our jobs, etc. Because of this, powerful, authentic, community change generally happens at a hyper-local level: the neighborhoods where we live, work, worship and play.”

22

Berglund also commented on this and said, “Finding ways for high quality neighborhoods to come together requires us to see how we evolve… It will require some difficult conversations around race, class, and being open-minded.”

SHAREomaha.org is currently working with a small group from Leadership Omaha Class 43 on the remodeling and reclaiming of a property with the nonprofit Abide, which is very close to the type of work described in this column.

Take a look, catch the passion around the campaign and get involved at SHAREomaha.org/LighthouseProject.

Who are your Do-gooders?

We bet you can think of leaders, in both the private and public sectors, who have a vision for our communities’ futures. Tell us! Shoot an email to info@SHAREomaha.org or find us on social media. SHARE Omaha exists to be a conduit between nonprofit needs and public doing good. The best ways, we think, to spur that action is to inspire through telling stories of do-gooder actions and emphasizing that tiny acts of goodness add up to a healthy and engaged community.

Find your fit for volunteering and supporting the causes you care about at SHAREomaha.org.

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

xxx-COLUMNS-SPIRIT-821q20.qxp_WORKING 7/21/21 9:06 PM Page 23

Fin un po yo SH

xxx-COLUMNS-SPIRIT-821q20.qxp_WORKING 7/21/21 9:06 PM Page 24

Kelli Cavey, Director of Donor Services

omaha giving

• OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

amplifying FOR IMPACT:

introducing THE COMMUNITY LOAN FUND Sooner or later, everything old is new again.

This phrase is often tossed around when it comes to fashion or music. But did you know it also applies to philanthropy and, more specifically, impact investing?

So, let’s talk about impact investing—how it’s been around for longer than you may think in one form or another, what makes it different this time around, and why it might be right for you.

The idea of being thoughtful about where your money goes has been around forever. In the mid-20th century, some religious organizations encouraged followers not to be involved in companies that manufactured weapons, alcohol or tobacco. That was a form of investment screening.

For years on college campuses, students and faculty have joined together and encouraged their universities to remove investments or divest from certain things. This is called socially responsible investing (SRI).

Another approach is specifically seeking out companies that prioritize conservation of the natural world, the needs and rights of their labor force, and transparency and inclusivity in their leadership. This approach is environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing.

Impact investing is another way to be thoughtful about how your money is invested. It focuses on generating both positive measurable social impact and financial return. It’s an intentional marriage of profit and values.

Want a local example of successful impact investing? A low-interest loan from the Omaha Community Foundation’s (OCF) new Community Loan Fund enables Native360 Loan Fund to assist Native American-owned, small business owners in our community like Hedgewood Tree Services LLC. The family-owned Bellevue business started in 2015 with one employee and minimal equipment. With support and technical assistance from Native360, Hedgewood was able to purchase new equipment, restructure, and scale the business to grow from handling one tree a day to four or five trees per day.

“With great success comes growth,” said Pete Upton, executive director for Native360 Loan Fund.

OCF and its generous fundholders are supporting other local residents and businesses through our Community Loan Fund. Beyond Native360, OCF has made significant invest-

24

ments in Nebraska Enterprise Fund and Midwest Housing Development Fund.

Supporting these mission-driven organizations is creating jobs, building affordable housing and supporting small businesses in underserved neighborhoods across Omaha and southwest Iowa. When the loans are repaid, OCF can reinvest this philanthropic capital into new projects, expanding our impact beyond traditional grantmaking. kelli cavey This fund makes impact investments structured as flexible, affordable loans. When loans are repaid, we can reinvest this philanthropic capital into new projects. Then we repeat the process over and over to create a cycle of good.

It’s a simple, sustainable idea. We broke it down into six steps: 1. Donor Investment - Using an OCF fund, fundholders partner with OCF to invest in the Community Loan Fund, which provides a structure for loaning capital to local nonprofits.

2. Identifying Opportunities - OCF identifies potential local investments grounded in equity and aligned with community needs.

3. Due Diligence - A detailed due diligence process ensues between OCF, our advisors and the potential nonprofit borrower to determine mission fit, terms and partnership opportunities.

4. Community Investment - Loans are made to qualified local nonprofits.

5. Returns - Loans are repaid by the nonprofit borrowers, which also report social impact metrics to OCF and our fundholders.

6. Repeat - Funds can be reinvested into the Community Loan Fund or returned to your personal fund at OCF. Are you ready to make an impact in our community?

Reach out by emailing kelli@omahafoundation.org or by calling (402) 342-3458 to learn more about this innovative new philanthropic tool.

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

xxx-COLUMNS-SPIRIT-821q20.qxp_WORKING 7/21/21 9:06 PM Page 25

MARY E. VANDENACK Mary Vandenack, while a lawyer by profession, has studied extensively in mind/body areas of fitness and wellness. She is Yoga Alliance RYT-200, Power Pilates certified and ACE certified.

gaslighting: PROTECT YOURSELF

WITH A STRONG SENSE OF self

During the pandemic, I was the victim of gaslighting. Within our lives, we all likely experience some form of gaslighting, but this round was cruel in a way I had not contemplated. I am grateful that I have devoted my lifetime to self-awareness, wellness and building an amazing support system so that I could navigate through the wreckage. Given my longtime dedication to wellness, awareness and emotional well-being, I was surprised to find out that I could get taken off-guard by such cruel behavior. The problem is that gaslighters often put on a show of being kind and compassionate and can really catch you off-guard. The gaslighter’s game is often one of “I’m trying to help you.”

During Mental Health Month and Lawyer Well-being Week in May 2021, I started posting about gaslighting based on the information I have gathered from experts on the topic. I had so many people reach out to me and relay awful stories of gaslighting that I decided to gather information, share my story, and speak up about gaslighting. You can hear from a variety of the experts who have provided me information on this topic in my interviews on the Vandenack Weaver YouTube Channel and the Law Visionaries podcast.

Gaslighting is a form of manipulation and psychological control. Make no mistake about it: gaslighting is abusive and cruel. A gaslighter seeks to control a person by making them feel crazy, doubt themselves, or question their reality. If you are a victim of gaslighting, the most important skill to learn is that of self-validation and being clear about your reality.

Gaslighting occurs in a variety of contexts. One is in intimate relationships. The term originates from the 1944 film Gaslight, in which a woman’s husband tries to make her think she is going crazy. I admit to being particularly fond of the ending where the tables get turned on the gaslighting husband.

Another place where gaslighting occurs is in enmeshed friendships. In an enmeshed friendship, one person has lost his or her individual identity to the friendship and will take on all the opinions, emotions, major decisions and needs of the other. The enmeshed friend may often fail to recognize the enmeshment.

Gaslighting also occurs in the workplace. In the workplace, a co-worker or manager takes actions that make a worker doubt his or her ability to do the job at hand.

When a gaslighter is approached as to his or her actions, the gaslighter typically denies mistreatment, becoming defensive, contentious, dismissive or evasive. The gaslighter is likely to escalate, become more aggressive, stonewall, or attack. The gaslighter will, of course, blame the victim with such phrases as “This is on you” or “What I did was out of compassion for you, and you just aren’t appreciating what I tried to do for you.”

Gaslighting can be very subtle—and it is possible that it is not intentional. For example, perhaps you have a romantic partner and you are asking your partner to take a couple of days off so you can spend some time together. Each time you raise the subject, your partner says something like, “I will have to get that cleared” (even though he or she runs the place). After four or five requests over a period of time in which you are ignored, you are not feeling valued and you express your frustration. Your partner responds by saying something like, “I was waiting for you to tell me the specific event that we were going to plan but you never let me know. Why do you have to get so upset? Your upsets always seem to come out of the blue.” If you experience this regularly (avoidance and shifting), you will start to feel crazy. Note that there is a difference between manipulation and gaslighting. Manipulating is gaming the system to get your own way while gaslighting is about controlling another person.

Gaslighting can also involve denial such as, “I didn’t say that” or “You don’t recall that correctly.” Most of us will experience denial of this sort at some time in many relationships.

For it to be gaslighting, it must be a consistent pattern of behavior. If someone is engaging in gaslighting unconsciously, he or she may be able to change the behavior with recognition and desire to make changes; however, anyone who has been on the wrong end of gaslighting should become well-educated, observant and intolerant of the behavior.

If you are in a situation in which you are asking yourself whether you are being gaslighted, you likely already know the answer. Common signs include the person denying events even though you clearly recall them, regularly questioning you and shifting all issues onto you, denying he or she ever said something that you recall, having conversations with you that have you questioning yourself, using your triggers to hurt you, trying to align people against you by lying and sharing their “story” with others, and trying (and sadly, often succeeding) to cut people out of your life.

If you think you are a victim of gaslighting, consult with an expert on the topic.

If the person engaging in the behavior is doing so subconsciously and open to change, identifying the behavior may help. It is important that the victim of gaslighting find support and hold the person engaging in the behavior accountable. Sadly, many people will continue in a long-term behavioral pattern unless confronted with a strong force and good therapy. Ultimately, if you are in a relationship of any type with someone who is gaslighting you, you must put your emotional safety first.

ENVISION YOUR FUTURE: PREVENT DISEASE DISCOVER HEALTH! YOU DESERVE A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE! Dr. Stephanie Vondrak • Dr. Ashley Rainbolt Vondrak Dental (402) 289-2313 info@drvondrak.com

THE CHOICE IS YOURS! 25

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

xxx-COLUMNS-SPIRIT-821q20.qxp_WORKING 7/21/21 9:06 PM Page 26

planning matters

• WITH VW LAW

supported DECISION-MAKING AS A

PROACTIVE alternative TO GUARDIANSHIP? The recent release of popular Netflix film I Care a Lot, starring Rosamund

Pike, in conjunction with the widely publicized court proceedings involving Britney Spears’ personal life, have brought the subject of adult guardianships to the forefront of regular conversation. Although the dramatic film representation left out several key protections that exist for individuals and their families, it effectively highlighted the important and often overlooked area of elder advocacy.

The legal community has generally viewed guardianships as a “remedy of last resort” due to the significant impact the process has on an individual’s autonomy and right to maintain decision-making authority in their daily lives. Significant tensions exist between those who firmly advocate for an individual’s right to their own decision-making, and those who seek greater protections for older persons or those struggling with a disability or dementia diagnosis. How, then, can society encourage fewer restrictions or loss of independence for individuals under the supervision of a

guardianship? The growing trend of supported decisionmaking SDM seeks to address this issue.

Guardianships have historically required the ward, or protectee, to give up a significant amount of control in their daily life. A duly appointed and valid guardian can essentially step into the shoes of the ward to make decisions regarding their health, emily c. pattison education, finances, maintenance and living arrangements. The courts require a hearing and appoint a guardian ad litem who serves as the representative of the ward, seeking to give a voice to their preferences throughout the process. But even with these protections in place, a guardianship still removes some, if not all, decisionmaking power from the individual who has been deemed incapacitated.

Instead of waiting until an individual only has the option of a guardianship, the focus has recently shifted to more proactive approaches like actively maintaining comprehensive health care and financial powers of attorney and advance directives. Supported decisionmaking is another method by which older adults can call on trusted friends, family members, and professionals to help them understand situations and choices they face, by empowering them to make independent decisions about their lives to the maximum extent possible. National Resource Center for Supported Decision Making, 2016.

Supported decisionmaking does not replace or function as an alternative to legal documents like powers of attorney, but instead works to supplement these agreements. The concept not only allows an individual to appoint trusted advisors such as life care managers, social workers, or healthcare professionals to their support group, it also encourages greater self determination in people with disabilities who do not necessarily need guardianships.

With the use of SDM in situations of diminishing capacity, cognitive impairment, or intellectual disabilities, parties have the opportunity to actively participate in their daily life and experience a greater sense of autonomy while still having safeguards in place from a group of caring advisors.

Advocates of this approach continue to emphasize the correlation between better physical and mental health and keeping individuals engaged in decisions affecting their daytoday lives. This could significantly reduce the number of guardianships in the future as courts continue to see the benefits of a supported and engaged decisionmaker.

26

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

M y 4 re C S T T T P P S Hard C e

xxx-COLUMNS-SPIRIT-821q20.qxp_WORKING 7/21/21 9:06 PM Page 27

• SWARTZBAUGHFARBER & ASSOCIATES, INC.

your money

• YOUR DENTAL HEALTH

WHAT TO leave

dealing

behind

WITH THE

unknown: RETURN-TO-OFFICE ANXIETY

impact!

FROM 2020 mary drueke-collins

THE FIRST DAY returning to the office

after a 12- to18-month hiatus may feel like the first day of school.

You don a new outfit (your sweats don’t seem office-appropriate!), grab your packed lunch and jump in your car early to make that 8:30 a.m. meeting in the office.

Under the surface of your well-prepared appearance, you are a jumble of nerves. You have had a hard time sleeping since the company announced that the office was reopening. Your heart beats fast when you think about this change.

You try to brush off these thoughts, but they sneak back into your worry queue at the most inopportune times. The feelings are real! A Harvard Business School study reported that 80 percent of remote workers don’t want to return to the office fulltime. Human resource practitioners and managers should prepare for a range of employee feelings about returning to the office. Encouraging open dialogue and flexibility will support a successful transition.

Management will observe a variety of responses to a call for employees to return to the workplace: excitement, fear, stress and anticipation. For example, new employees who have not met colleagues face-to-face may be enthusiastic about “starting over” in person. Relationships are essential to career development and those new to the organization may be looking to cement them in person. On the other hand, many individuals learned they preferred a virtual work environment.

Reasons for this home-based preference include more flexibility, increased time with family and friends, and a higher degree of concentration without office interruptions.

The first thing leaders in the workplace can do is encourage dialogue with employees about this change. These may be tough and somewhat uncomfortable conversations for employees to initiate. “No news is good news” is not an appropriate mantra for this transition. Avoiding this topic with your direct reports is an invitation for them to seek counsel elsewhere. Instead, ask employees what is on their minds. The coronavirus pandemic is a unique scenario for all, and managers would be wise to listen to questions and concerns. A good manager will advocate for employees and be reasonable when asked for manageable exceptions.

Furthermore, it is important to understand your company’s stance on returning to the office. Many companies have changed policies in response to the past year.

For example, some companies are offering full-time remote work as a permanent option moving forward, an exciting proposition for employees who found this arrangement simpatico with their lifestyle. On the other extreme, some organizations are taking a hard stance, requiring all employees to return to work full-time in the office. Regardless of your company’s position, be prepared to share information about safety protocols.

There is no doubt that change is hard—even welcome changes that may bring employees closer to the normalcy of years past. Remember that you may feel differently than your staff. Be patient with them as they process dealing with another change in a seemingly endless stream of unknowns.

For more information, please contact your trusted advisor at Swartzbaugh-Farber – ‘Client Centered – Client Advocates™’. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc., a registered Broker/Dealer and Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates, Inc. is independently owned and operated.

27

stephanie vondrak d.d.s.

WHAT’S FUNNYabout life is how our mind

and judgment can change through the years; how circumstances that once seemed so decisive and inflexible now flow and change momentarily like melting snow in twisting streams down the side of the hill. As we cautiously try to emerge from this COVID year, so many aspects of our life run parallel to the twisting stream.

As a nation, we are living a new paradigm. A world in which the possibility of “surviving the pandemic”is not a blockbuster movie title but our reality, a fact—almost an entity in its own right.

And people seem different. Yes. There are scars and rug burns from enduring such massive change so abruptly. But if you look closely, our garments aren’t torn. We are not broken. We are just a little tattered around the edges like that favorite pair of jeans you just can’t give away. In my personal life, the twists and turns of the last two years were hard and severe. The changes and losses more analogous to an earthquake splitting the ground with unrelenting force than a stream carving its path down a hill.

But I am still here, tattered edges and all.

And, the question becomes, “What can be gained from this journey?” Or better yet, “What can we take away from this destruction?” What can I teach my children, my patients, and my team?

The logical side of me knows you can’t repair an earthquake with a band-aid or a bow.

The rebuild is slow and steady: no quick fix, no easy answers.

But what if our purpose, our path, is to create a sturdier foundation less likely to crack and collapse when disaster strikes? Discovering the power that comes from controlling our reactions to adverse and unforeseen circumstances and trusting that even in tragedy, we can be okay. To express gratitude, daily, for those we love and those we have lost.

And to recognize unexpected events as opportunities, like spending the extra 30 minutes with a scared child before their first filling or intently listening to a young woman with persistent TMJ pain unable to find answers for the last five years.

The shock of my mom’s ALS diagnosis, the abrupt end to my 20-year marriage, and the death of my mom 30 short months later left me tattered and raw. But it also left me more open-minded than ever before. The younger, less experienced version of myself felt so strongly about so many things: what to wear, how to act, the right and the wrongs of everyday life. The me that arose from the ashes is freer and more open, more understanding and less judgmental. Our new world can be the same.

Together, we can harness this momentum and value life, especially when it seems to be on the upswing—never forgetting how it felt to be isolated from one another and choosing to give a little more GRACE, each and every day. This new me understands that behind the masks and the smiles, you may find another tattered soul who really needs it.

Dr. Stephanie Vondrak is board certified by the American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine to treat patients suffering from sleep apnea with sleep apnea appliances.

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

to

28-29-CVR-SCENE-821q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 2:54 PM Page 28

28-29-CVR-SCENE-821q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 2:54 PM Page 29

event galleries | charity support

updated local event info LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2021!

Are you hosting a virtual or on-location event this fall/winter?

Go to SpiritofOmaha.com & CONNECT to the Greater Omaha community!

Create a FREE Account to promote & update your event information 365/24/7!

S FROM ON SERIES. MODEL VIRTUAL DISCUSSI AG AN EMENT DEVELOP MODEL M

keeping you connected in 2021!

29

mMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 30

Photos courtesy Debra Kaplan

BACK TO THE

Cabaret!

Child Saving Institute Cabaret 2021

When: May 8, 2021 CABARET CHAIRS ADRIENNE & PATRICK FAY

CABARET CHAIRS DAVID & MELANIE HECKER

Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha La Vista Hotel & Conference Center Why: Cabaret, Child Saving Institute’s largest annual fundraiser, is a night of comedy to benefit Child Saving Institute’s services for the prevention, intervention and healing of child abuse, neglect and trauma.

Special Guests: Event Chairs: Melanie and David Hecker, Adrienne and Patrick Fay Honorary Chairs: Carrie and John Jenkins Comedian: Pat McGann

JESSICA AND KRIS COVI

CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE CEO PEG HARRIOTT

Attendance: 335 Amount Raised: $485,000 Mission: Responding to the cry of a child About: Child Saving Institute provides a safe haven and healing for thousands of innocent young victims of family crisis, neglect and trauma. We offer vital services to create a safe place for at-risk children and to heal fractured families.

COMEDIAN PAT MCGANN

CSI BOARD PRESIDENT MICHAEL GEPPERT

For more information: www.childsaving.org Event details: Cabaret 2021 took place on May 8 at Embassy Suites La Vista. Event chairs Melanie and David Hecker and Adrienne and Patrick Fay, and Honorary Chairs Carrie and John Jenkins helped raise over $485,000 for the children and families of Child Saving Institute. Emcee Kris Covi and comedian Pat McGann kept the audience laughing the night away, all for a great cause.

HONORARY CHAIRS JOHN & CARRIE JENKINS

HENRY DAVIS AND CHRISTINA FAZZONE

SHIKHAR AND KRISTIN SAXENA

MICHELLE STRAWHECKER, CAPTIONS LINDSEY SNYDER, SEIRRA BURT AND CHRISTINA GROTELUSCHEN

30

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 31

Photos courtesy Completely KIDS

LUNCH WITH

Mr. Harris

Completely KIDS Author Luncheon

When: April 14, 2021 Where: Virtual Why: The support of the Author Luncheon ensures a safe environment with caring adult mentors, engaging and hands-on academic and enrichment activities, and attention to physical and mental health for kids, as well as adult education classes for their parents.

Additionally, it helps us to extend services to additional kids and families in the Omaha area.

Special Guests: Dan Harris CAPTIONS

Sponsors: Presented by: Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and in collaboration with the Creighton University School of Dentistry Program for Ignatian Mindfulness Attendance: 350 Amount Raised: More than $117,500

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

Mission: Completely KIDS educates and empowers kids and families to create a safe, healthy, successful and connected community.

About: In supporting our mission, we assist more than 2,000 youth and their families via school and homeless shelter partnerships in overcoming barriers to their success. Our headquarters, 2566 St. Mary’s Ave., is at the heart of the community we serve. As such, we are better able to understand the challenges our families face, as well as provide them with easier access to our services. Completely KIDS ensures that our families have access to the knowledge and skills necessary to break the cycle of poverty.

For more information: (402) 397-5809, www.completelykids.org, events@completelykids.org

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

31

Event details: Completely KIDS was excited to present Dan Harris, award-winning ABC News Anchor and #1 New York Times best-selling author, as the keynote speaker for the 2021 Author Luncheon. Harris is the author of 10% Happier, which shares his story of discovering meditation, a practice shown by modern research to boost resilience, focus, creativity, emotional intelligence, and overall mental and physical health. Not only did he share his story and insights, but he also conducted a guided meditation.

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 32

Photos courtesy Nebraska Humane Society

TAILS WERE

Waggin’

Nebraska Humane Society Dining with Dogs

When: June 11, 2021 DINNER IS SERVED

COLLAR TOSS AT DWD

Where: A View on State Why: Dining with Dogs is a biennial fund raiser for the Nebraska Humane Society to help rescue, rehabilitate and re-home pets. The shelter also works to keep pets in homes and promote humane education and responsible pet ownership.

Sponsors: Bridges Investments , Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital, Baxter Subaru, Beth Mastre Enterprises, Veridian Credit Union

WALLY AND SIMONE MUFFLY -- CANINE ATTENDEES

DOGGIE BARKUTERIE BOARD

Catered by: A Catered Affair Attendance: 471 Amount Raised: $370,000 Event Summary: More than 450 people and 80-plus dogs were ready to get out and about on June 11. The biennial “night out with your dog,” hosted by Friends Forever of the Nebraska Humane Society, was a tailwagging good time.

TINA NELSON AT THE COLLAR TOSS

GREAT DANE DIESEL AND HIS OWNERS

PHOTO BOOTH FUN

THE SILENT AUCTION

TABLE SETTING

CHRIS OLSON AND PUP

32

About: The Nebraska Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping homeless animals in the Omaha metro area. The shelter provides impound services, returns lost pets, and works to rehabilitate and rehome all those that don’t have homes.

Programs include adoption services, low cost spaying and neutering, dog training, a pet food pantry, sanctuary for pets of domestic violence victims, children’s camps, and much more.

For more information: (402) 905-3470, www.nehumanesociety.org

CUPCAKES BY BRANDY’S CAKE SHOPPE

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 33

Photos courtesy Fresh Hope for Mental Health

HITTING THE

Mark

Fresh Hope for Mental Health Top Golf Fundraiser

When: May 16, 2021 DONNA HOEFS SELLING GOLD COINS FOR A CHANCE TO ENTER THE HOLE-IN-ONE CONTEST!

FOUNDER, PASTOR BRAD HOEFS, HITTING HIS TARGET

Where: Top Golf Why: Fundraiser Sponsors: Thrasher Foundation Repair, Digital Express Attendance: 75 Amount Raised: $25,000

EVERYONE HAVING FUN

CAPTIONS

Mission: Fresh Hope believes it is possible to live well, in spite of having a mental-health challenge, because of the hope found in Christ.

About: Fresh Hope is an international network of Christian support groups for those who have a mentalhealth diagnosis and for their loved ones. A Fresh Hope group is a peer-to-peer-led, safe, encouraging, and healing environment where real hope exists and real healing takes place.

For more information: (402) 763-9255, freshhope.us Event details: Fresh Hope for Mental Health held a fun event at Top Golf. We hosted our guests with three hours of play time, a buffet lunch, and a hole-in-one contest.

ALL THE TARGETS

EVEN KIDS CAN PLAY

YUMMY BUFFET

PPCAPTIONS

33

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 34

Photos courtesy Omaha Children’s Museum

DOWN THE

Stretch

Omaha Children’s Museum For the Kids Benefit: “Race for the Ribbons, Win for the Kids” CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

When: May 1, 2021 Where: Virtual Why: Funds raised by the For the Kids Benefit go directly to support interactive exhibits, educational programs, and hands-on learning for children and their families.

Special Guests: Honorary Chairs: Janie and Harry Hoch, Jr. , Melissa and Tyler Laflin, Megan and Michael Hoch

CAPTIONS

Attendance: 400 Amount Raised: $200,000 Mission: To engage the imagination and create excitement about learning

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

RAINBOW CONNECTORS GUILD

For more information: (402) 342-6164, www.ocm.org

CAPTIONS

JANIE & HARRY HOCH, JR., MELISSA & TYLER LAFLIN WITH CHILDREN SOPHIA, LEWIS, AND OLIVER AND MEGAN & MICHAEL HOCH WITH CHILDREN SILAS, BARON, AND GREYSON

34

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 35

Photos courtesy Casie Schlueter

OUTSTANDING

Kick-off CRCC

Moonbeams & Big Dreams

When: May 15, 2021 CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

Where: Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District Why: CRCC has served children in the Omaha community for over 30 years. On May 15 we celebrated the true stars of CRCC! Special Guests: CRCC current and former employees

LIVE AUCTION

CRCC’S HONORARY STAR, RAIN, AND HIS FATHER RETURN TO THEIR SEAT AFTER TAKING THE RUNWAY. RAIN STOLE THE SHOW WITH HIS DANCE MOVES AND CHARISMA

SILENT AUCTION

ANNE CONSTANTINO

Sponsors: American National Bank, Valmont Industries, Seim Johnson, Inroads to Recovery, Fred Hunzeker and Carly Turner, Mark and Cheri Olderbak, Bruce Meyers and Marty Tichauer, The Hawks Foundation, Tenaska, Inc., Debbie and Brian WoodTransWood, Ludacka Wealth Partners, Security National Bank, Heider Family Foundation, Bill and Mindy Geis, John and Carol Higgins, Mutual of Omaha, Ron and Teri Quinn, The Lozier Foundation, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Kiewit, Matt and Lauren Miltenberger, Clark and Ashley Horgan, Parker Family Foundation, Lori & David Scott Foundation, David and Katie Wagenfuhr, Rudy and Suzanne Kotula Family Foundation, Scott S. and Peggy Moore, Standard Drywall, Lou and Jill Rotella III, Sid and Dawn Dinsdale, Michael and Susan Lebens Multimedia/Rentals by: Conference Technologies, Inc. Attendance: 300 Amount Raised: over $300,000

CAPTIONS

CRCC CREATED THE JOHNSON-FITZGERALD AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES. IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR, FOUR AWARDS WERE PRESENTED

CAPTIONS

Event details: This year, CRCC hosted the first annual Moonbeams & Big Dreams Gala, an evening that celebrates our staff, families and supporters and raises funds for CRCC’s programs and services. The funds generated from this event are integral to helping our families prove what’s possible all year long. CRCC’s 30th-anniversary gala was an unforgettable event featuring a dinner and virtual fashion show celebration, spotlighting current CRCC children and alumni who have lived many of their dreams with CRCC’s help.

35

Mission: For the past three decades, CRCC has dedicated its mission to bringing children of all abilities together in a rich learning and care environment centered on excellence, joy and inclusion.

About: For families with children who have medical, cognitive or behavioral challenges, it can seem like all hope is gone and there’s nothing but grief and struggle ahead. But there’s a one-of-a-kind place right here in Omaha that offers joy, hope and health to these families: CRCC. Our uniquely skilled team delivers comprehensive and compassionate services that help children with complex needs be all they can be and give their parents hope for the future.

For more information: www.CRCComaha.org

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 36

Photos courtesy Mustaches 4 Kids

G.O.A.T. Mustaches 4 Kids “Just Another May in Omaha”

Is it exhausting to break our record every year?

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

Nah, it's actually pretty fun. We had 60 FEWER Growers than last year and put up another all-time record. Will there be a time when a big city like Minneapolis or Orange County beats us? Probably.

But it isn't today.

Congratulations fellas for all the hard work you put in to benefit our friends at Northstar and inCOMMON. PAST CAMPAIGNS 2009: Camp CoHoLo - $23,000

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

2010: NCHS - $60,000 2011: CRCC - $105,324 2012: Camp CoHoLo - $132,335 2013: Make-A-Wish - $201,357 2014: HETRA - $251,737 2015: Grief's Journey - $278,146 2016: Youth Emergency Services - $285,683

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

2017: Ronald McDonald House - $443,286 2018: Special Olympics Nebraska - $620,721 2019: Angels Among Us - $751,256 2020: M4K 8 - $762,534 2021: Northstar and inCOMMON - $835,176 TOTAL

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

36

$4,753,555

For more information: https://m4komaha.com CAPTIONS

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

CAPTIONS

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 37

Photos Jodi Hauptman, Corey Solotorovsky, Eric Francis

FOURTEEN

Scholars The Salvation Army of Omaha The 2021 D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon BACK ROW, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: SALVATION ARMY USA COMMISSIONERS KENNETH G. AND JOLENE HODDER, ANDRA WILLIAMS, JACKSON MCINTYRE, HONORARY EVENT CHAIR GOV. PETE RICKETTS, DAVID SOKOL, MAJ. GREG THOMPSON. FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: BROOKE ANDERSON, JESSTINA MCGEE, TAYLOR ASHTON RYAN, JOHN PARTINGTON, EVENT CHAIRS DR. KEN AND ANNIE BIRD, PEGGY SOKOL, HUMOOM DARWEESH, ANA LOPEZ-ZURITA, JESSICA FUERTES-DE ARCOS, AMARIYON GREEN, DHUGOMSA MOHAMMED, JAMES DANIEL JOHNSON, MAJ. LEE ANN THOMPSON

BYRON PITTS

SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL COMMANDER KENNETH G. HODDER

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DOROTHEA TARANTOLO, MELISSA MARVIN, PEGGY AND DAVID SOKOL

ALEX GORDON AND A FAN

When: June 2, 2021 Where: TD Ameritrade Park Omaha Why: To honor the 14 2021 D.J.’s Hero scholarship winners Special Guests: Commissioners Kenneth G. and Jolene Hodder, national commander and president of women’s ministries, respectively, for The Salvation Army USA; Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, honorary event chair; Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert; Byron Pitts, co-anchor of ABC News’ Nightline; retired Kansas City Royals player Alex Gordon; 2021 event chairs Dr. Ken and Annie Bird; Michael Cassling, Salvation Army national board chair; Dr. Joann Schaefer, Salvation Army Omaha Advisory Board chair; presenting sponsors David and Peggy Sokol Sponsors: Presenting Sponsors: David and Peggy Sokol; Grand Slam Sponsors: CQuence Health, Fred Hunzeker, Northern Natural Gas, Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation, UltraAir; Home Run Sponsors: Bill & Jodie Mackintosh Family Charitable Fund, Terri and Jack Diesing, Jr., Harrison Financial Services, KETV, Lavigne Enterprises, Lueder Construction Company, Mutual of Omaha, Pinnacle Bank, Gov. Pete Ricketts and Susanne Shore Attendance: Approximately 1,000 Amount Raised: More than $530,000

DR. KEN AND ANNIE BIRD

SCOTT MOORE AND ALEX GORDON

D.J. SOKOL’S IMAGE ON THE JUMBOTRON

DR. JACK STARK, MIKE YANNEY AND HAL DAUB

Event Summary: Founded in 1999, The D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon is The Salvation Army of Omaha’s largest event of the year. Proceeds help to fund programs that support vulnerable youth in the Omaha metro. At this year’s event, 14 Nebraska high-school seniors from across the state were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship. Since its inception, a total of 172 scholarships have been awarded to Nebraska scholars who exemplify perseverance, selflessness and servant-leadership.

Mission: The Salvation Army’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

For more information: (402) 898-7700, www.salarmyomaha.org

37

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 38

Photos courtesy Mark Kresl

GIVEN A

CHANCE

Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha CHANCE Luncheon 2021 2021 RISING STAR AWARD WINNERS WITH SHAUN MCGAUGHEY, CHILDREN’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF OMAHA BOARD CHAIR, AND JOEL LONG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

When: June 10, 2021 KEYNOTE SPEAKER, MIKE MCCARTHY

Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha La Vista Hotel & Conference Center Why: Raising funds for K-8 private school scholarships Special Guests: Mike and Lauren Hupp, Honorary Chairs; Mike McCarthy, Keynote Speaker; Governor Pete Ricketts Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: McCarthy Capital

HONORARY CHAIRS FOR THE EVENT WERE (AT PODIUM) MIKE AND LAUREN HUPP

STEPHANIE HERNANDEZ, TAL AND MARY JOY ANDERSON 2021 OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS AWARD WINNER

Event Planner: Brandi Holys, Director of Development and Communications Attendance: 470 Amount Raised: $500,000-plus

SPONSORS TABLE: THE HEIDER FOUNDATION SEATED: HERNANDEZ FAMILY

SPONSORS TABLE: PILLEN FAMILY FARMS SEATED: LESLIE LEDESMA PUENTE FAMILY

CAPTIONS

JOHN KNICELY, CHANCE LUNCHEON EMCEE WITH ARCHBISHOP GEORGE LUCAS

SPONSORS TABLE: ROTELLA’S SEATED: BRYANA SARAVIA AND GUESTS

SPONSORS TABLE: THE SCOULAR FOUNDATION SEATED: GARRETT PINT AND FAMILY

38

Event Summary: The CHANCE Luncheon celebrates the accomplishments of our student scholarship recipients and highlights our Tal and Mary Joy Anderson Rising Star and Student Alumnus Award Winners. Mike and Lauren Hupp served as Honorary Chairs and the keynote speaker was Mike McCarthy, who generously issued a $100,000 matching challenge, resulting in CHANCE 2021 raising more than $500,000, breaking a fundraising record.

Mission: CSF-Omaha believes all families, regardless of income, should be able to choose the best educational setting for their children. CSF provides partial tuition scholarships to families meeting financial qualifications, leveling the playing field so students can attend the private K-8 school of their choice.

About: CSF is the only independent scholarship granting organization providing scholarships to K-8 students. We have no religious affiliation and parents can choose from our 72 partner schools. By providing scholarship assistance during the time a child’s educational foundation is being established, we are preparing children for continued success.

For more information: (402) 819-4990, www.csfomaha.org

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 39

Photos courtesy Mike Walker

COURAGEOUS

Giving

Jennie Edmundson Fdtn.

Wheels of Courage

When: June 26, 2021 JEREMY NOEL DISTRIBUTES TROPHIES TO WHEELS OF COURAGE CAR SHOW WINNERS

SCOTT PENIX AND TAMMY SUDBECK ENJOY THEIR AUCTION WINNINGS

Where: Quaker Steak & Lube Why: Raise funds to support cancer patients at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Attendance: 350 people, 175 car entries Amount Raised: $30,000

WHEELS OF COURAGE VAN READY TO SELL T-SHIRTS, KOOZIES AND RAFFLE TICKETS

WHEELS OF COURAGE TROPHIES ON DISPLAY AT QUAKER STEAK & LUBE

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

WHEELS OF COURAGE WINNERS

Event Summary: All proceeds benefit the Spirit of Courage Charitable Patient Fund at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. For hundreds of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital patients in genuine need each year, coping with serious illness and mounting medical bills at the same time can be overwhelming.

Funds raised during the Wheels of Courage help relieve some of the financial burden with funding for medical services, therapy and prescriptions.

Mission: The mission of the Jennie Edmundson Foundation is to build a bridge between the community and the hospital to enhance the resources that support Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in meeting the health care needs of our community. We believe in the power of philanthropy to save lives.

About: The Jennie Edmundson Foundation has been dedicated to helping Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital fulfill its mission to “build a bridge between the community and the hospital to enhance the resources that support Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in meeting the health care needs of our community.” We believe in the power of philanthropy to save lives.

For more information: (712) 396-6040, http://jehfoundation.org/events/wheels-of-courage/

AUCTION TABLE

CAPTIONS

39

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 40

Photos courtesy Gary Willis

VIRTUOSO

Performance

Omaha Press Club Face on the Barroom Floor

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

Thomas Wilkins is 164th “Face on the Barroom Floor” When: June 7, 2021 Where: Omaha Press Club Why: Face on the Floor Event Attendance: 100 Mission: To provide excellence in communications and media professions though fellowship, education and advocacy of freedom of information.

TRENTON P. BAUSCH, DAVID STOSBURG, CAPTIONS THOMAS WILKINS, LANCE FRITZ, BRUCE CARPENTER AND DAVE DIAMOND

About: Membership to the Omaha Press Club is not limited just to the media. We have much to offer for your membership including regular events, reciprocal club use, an executive chef providing fine and casual dining, free parking, free rooms for your private events and press conferences. Go to www.omahapressclub.com for more information about joining.

For more information: Roger Humphries, (402) 880-0294 or rogernomaha@gmail.com

THOMAS WILKINS AND WAYNE SEALY

THOMAS WILKINS AND ROGER HUMPHRIES

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

NICOLE. SHERI-LEE, THOMAS AND ERICA WILKINS, AND JESSIE STOFFEL

40

Thomas Wilkins is a master at connecting with musicians and the community. But when it comes to smacking a golf ball, he sometimes hits the wrong notes. That was the ongoing theme of the June 7 “Face on the Barroom Floor” roast for Thomas Wilkins, who ended his 16-year run as the music director for the Omaha Symphony with his final concert on June 12.

The maestro was honored as the Omaha Press Club’s 164th “Face” in a virtuoso performance by five business executives who served as his roasters. Each roaster said it was difficult to actually roast Wilkins. “He was too nice. He had no ego,” said one of his roasters, Bruce Carpenter, senior vice president for HDR, Inc. Wilkins told the audience he will “forever blessed and forever grateful” for his time in Omaha. And in return, he received a lengthy standing ovation. Artist Wayne Sealy’s “Face” drawing put Wilkins in formal attire, but with a few changes. He is holding a golf club, while wearing a grilling apron with grilling utensils in his jacket pocket. The backdrop shows the Holland Center and the Hollywood Bowl—two of Wilkins’ favorite venues— and he is surrounded by many of the awards he has received over the years.

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

30-41-SCENE-821-q20.qxp_EVENTS 8/2/21 3:03 PM Page 41

Photos courtesy Omaha Home for Boys

HOLING IT FOR

the Home Omaha Home for Boys OHB Golf Classic

When: June 9, 2021 Where: Tiburon Golf Club PUTTING GREEN SPONSOR INDEPENDENT ROOFING

PRESENTING SPONSOR RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Why: To raise funds that support the youth, young adults and families at OHB Sponsors: RBC Wealth Management, Scheels, American National Bank, Bank of the West, Holmes Murphy, Navitas, Independent Roofing, Grunwald Mechanical Contractors & Engineers, Gregg Young Automotive Group, Control Management Inc., MCL Construction, Northwest Bank, Action 3 News, Cornerstone Staffing, Farmers National, Gabriel Group, HCIS, Play It Again Sports, Strada Healthcare, Unico, Abe’s Trash Service, Prairie Mechanical Attendance: 250

LUNCH SPONSOR AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

DINNER SPONSOR SCHEELS

Amount Raised: $50,000 For more information: (402) 457-7000, giving@ohb.org, www.OHB.org

41

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/17/21 4:20 PM Page 42

SAVE THE Date!

Presented in collaboration with SHAREOmaha and our Community Engagement Partners

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 25, 2021

FEATURED EVENTS

from our partners in The Giving Guide & Event Book Spring 2021*

The 6th Annual Miles for Madonna

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com/local-events/ or SHAREomaha.org/events/ as well as the featured websites presented for each organization in this section… *CHECK WITH ORGANIZATIONS FOR COVID-RELATED SCHEDULE CHANGES & UPDATES since this edition was published

Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals - Omaha Campus $25 Adults, $10 Children madonna.org

August 20, 2021

September 26, 2021

Stage Party

Food Truck World Tour

Omaha Performing Arts Theme: New Orleans event O-pa.org

Immigrant Legal Center starting at $75, sponsorships available ImmigrantLC.org

August 21, 2021

October 2, 2021

Brush Up

Iowa Latino Festival

Project Houseworks projecthouseworks.org

Centro Latino Of Iowa FREE sucentrolatino.com

NOW MARCH 8, 2022, WAS September 9, 2021 OHB 100 Year Anniversary Celebration

October 7, 2021

OHB/Omaha Home for Boys $75 Young Professional, $125 Individual https://ohb.org/events/100/ (402) 457-7000 | OHB.org

Dance for a Chance: The Roaring Twenty-Twenties Youth Emergency Services $100 https://go.evvnt.com/822896-2 (402) 345-5187 | yesomaha.org/news-events/dance

September 9, 2021 (Rain or Shine)

October 8, 2021

Brew Haha: a Beer and Food Tasting Event

HOMEGROWN

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha $50 General Admission), $150 VIP, https://go.evvnt.com/789935-1 (402) 457-5657, (402) 884-5957 | habitatomaha.org

Nebraska Children’s Home Society $40 in advance $45 at the door nchs.org

September 10, 2021

October 15, 2021

10th Trivium Annual Golf Tournament Trivium Life Services formerly Crossroads of Western Iowa https://www.triviumlifeservices.org/events/1003/trivium-annual-golf-tournament-in-council-blu/

September 16, 2021 Boots & Buckets

Night in the Neighborhood Completely KIDS https://www.completelykids.org/news-events/night-in-the-neighborhood/ (402) 397-5809 ext. 229 | completelykids.org

October 23, 2021

Dreamweaver Foundation $125 per ticket $1,500 per table dreamweaver.org

Aksarben Ball Aksarben Foundation (402) 554-9600 | www.aksarben.org

September 17, 2021

November 1, 2021

*Watch our website and social media for the most up-to-date details.

Milagro

Midlands Humane Society Annual Gala (formerly known as The Derby)

OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc. $125 oneworldomaha.org

Midlands Humane Society $55 per seat, $550 per table, event sponsorships are available midlandshumanesociety.org

November 12, 2021

September 25, 2021

AIM Tech Awards

A Vintage Affaire XIII

AIM Institute Donations welcomed AIMInstitute.org

Autism Action Partnership (402) 763-8830 ext. 1002 | autismaction.org | aap.givesmart.com 42

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 43

CONTINUED

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 44

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 45

CONTINUED

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 46

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 47

• mMAGAZINE

47

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

CONTINUED

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 48

SAVE THE Date!

Presented in collaboration with SHAREOmaha and our Community Engagement Partners

UPCOMING EVENTS

…MORE EVENTS

November 6, 2021 Joslyn’s 90th Anniversary Celebration - Sold out

from our Community Engagement Partners

Joslyn Art Museum (402) 342-3300 | www.joslyn.org/

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com/local-events/ or SHAREomaha.org/events/ as well as the featured websites presented for each organization in this section…

November 6, 2021

October 15, 2021

JAMA GALA

AIM Advanced Tech Leaders Academy AIM Institute (402) 895-2552 | https://go.evvnt.com/774597-0

Joslyn Art Museum Association $250 (402) 933-8220 | https://go.evvnt.com/728138-2

October 15, 2021

November 9, 2021

An Evening Among Angels Crystal Ball: Celebrating 15 years Angels Among Us (402) 934-0999 | www.myangelsamongus.org

2021 EthicSpace Conference Business Ethics Alliance https://ethicspace.org (402) 280-2235 | www.businessethicsalliance.org

October 17, 2021 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - Lincoln

November 11, 2021

American Cancer Society http://makingstrideswalk.org/lincolnne (800) 227-2345 | www.cancer.org/about-us/local/nebraska.html

Lunch for the Girls Girls, Inc. of Omaha $100 (402) 457-4676 | https://go.evvnt.com/789833-2

October 22-24, 2021 Kids and Clays Sporting Clays Tournament

November 18, 2021

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha https://rmhcomaha.org/events/clay/ (402) 346-9377 | rmhcomaha.org

Salute to Families Heartland Family Service https://heartlandfamilyservice.org/events/salute-to-families-2019/ (402) 552-7400 | www.heartlandfamilyservice.org/soeveryonecan/

October 23, 2021 Howl-o-ween Howl 5k Fun Run/Walk

SAVE THESE DATES

Midlands Humane Society (712) 396-2270 | www.midlandshumanesociety.org

from local-area nonprofits and charitable organizations

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com/local-events/ or SHAREomaha.org/events/ as well as the featured websites presented for each organization in this section…

October 27, 2021 ACS CAN Nebraska Cancer Research Forum

September 11, 2021

American Cancer Society www.fightcancer.org/events/2021-acs-can-nebraska-cancer-research-forum (800) 227-2345 | www.cancer.org/about-us/local/nebraska.html

Monthly Bereavement Support Group for Families (Virtual)

October 28, 2021 Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa - IMPACT for Women Summit

The Collective for Hope (Grief’s Journey, HEALing Embrace and Ted E. Bear Hollow) https://thecollectiveforhope.org/grief-support-programs/griefs-journey/ (402) 502-2773 | https://thecollectiveforhope.org/

September 18, 2021

Pottawattamie County Community Foundation $30-$50 | www.ourpccf.org/funds/womens-fund/Impact-for-Women (712) 256-7007 | www.ourpccf.org

Virtual BVM Tour, September Black Votes Matter Institute of Community Engagement (402) 812-3324 | https://4urban.org/

October 28, 2021 Monster Bash

September 22-December 10, 2021

Methodist Hospital Foundation www.leapforacure.org (402) 354-4825 | www.MethodistHospitalFoundation.org

Defining Leadership for Women ICAN - Institute for Career Advancement Needs http://icanglobal.net/our-programs/defining-leadership/ (402) 392-0746 | icanglobal

November 4, 2021 A Time for Hope & Healing 2021 with Zak Williams

October 19, 2021

The Kim Foundation www.thekimfoundation.org/annual-event/ (402) 891-6911 | www.thekimfoundation.org

Annual Climb Higher Luncheon NorthStar Foundation (402) 614-6360 | www.northstar360.org 48

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 49

• mMAGAZINE

49

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

CONTINUED

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 50

SAVE THE Date!

Presented in collaboration with SHAREOmaha and our Community Engagement Partners

UPCOMING EVENTS

…SAVE THESE DATES from local-area nonprofits and charitable organizations

August 14, 2021 Back to School Giveaway!

Life Launch Academy (402) 6511696 | www.courteouskids.org/

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com/local-events/ or SHAREomaha.org/events/ as well as the featured websites presented for each organization in this section…

August 14, 2021

November 9-17, 2021 EXAMINING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS PROGRAM

Night of Nostalgia

ICAN - Institute for Career Advancement Needs https://icanglobal.net/our-programs/examining-unconscious-bias/ (402) 392-0746 | icanglobal

August 14, 2021

Omaha Conservatory of Music $75 • (402) 932-4978 | https://go.evvnt.com/764043-0

Annual Wear Yellow Ride, Run & Walk

November 10, 2021

Wear Yellow Nebraska www.facebook.com/events/1715451785259251/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_hi…

(402) 965-1699 | www.wearyellownebraska.org

BGCM Youth of the Year Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands https://bgcomaha.org/youthoftheyear/ (402) 342-1600 | bgcomaha.org

August 18, 2021 Saving Grace at the Papillion Farmer’s Market

November 18, 2021 Toast to Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert

Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue (402) 202-5405 | www.savinggracefoodrescue.org

Merrymakers Association (402) 697-0205 | www.merrymakers.org

August 20, 2021 HETRA Veterans Experiences

WORTH NOTING

from local-area nonprofits and charitable organizations

Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e45acad29ab9-veterans3 (402) 359-8830 | https://hetra.org/

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com/local-events/ or SHAREomaha.org/events/ as well as the featured websites presented for each organization in this section…

August 20, 2021 Catboy, Owlette & Gekko - Let’s Go!

August 6, 2021

Omaha Children’s Museum https://ocm.org/buy-tickets/ (402) 342-6164 | www.ocm.org

Fairways FORE Airways Golf Scramble Lungs4Life Foundation Inc (402) 250-0254 | www.lungs4life.org

August 20, 2021

August 6, 2021

Joslyn Young Art Patrons Disco GLOW

AfroCon Pop Up!

Joslyn Art Museum $40 • (402) 933-8220 | https://go.evvnt.com/811093-1

The House of Afros, Capes & Curls (402) 834-1119 | www.afroscapescurls.com

August 21, 2021 Dundee Day

August 7-8, 2021

Dundee-Memorial Park Neighborhood Association (402) 415-1081 | www.dundee-memorialpark.org/

6th Annual “In The Market For Blues” blues music festival Blues Society of Omaha, Inc. www.facebook.com/InTheMarketForBlues/ (402) 556-0911 | www.omahablues.com

August 21, 2021 ‘You Are a Recipe’ WOW! Workshop

August 12, 2021

$20 • (402) 517-1026 | https://go.evvnt.com/818053-0

Hy-Vee Stuff A Truck

August 22, 2021

MICAH House https://strictlybusinessomaha.com/event/micah-house-hosts-stuff-the-truck-event/ (712) 323-4416 | www.themicahhouse.org

17th Annual Golf Tournament

August 13, 2021

August 24, 2021

ALS in the Heartland Wine and Beer Event

Duet Unites-Ask the Expert

ALS in the Heartland, Inc. https://alsintheheartland.org/news-events/ (402) 592-2374 | www.alsintheheartland.org

Duet Foundation https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6164089097673667343 (402) 444-6500 | www.duetne.org/

Lutheran Service Corps (402) 457-5890 | www.lutheranvolunteercorps.org

50

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 51

• mMAGAZINE

51

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

CONTINUED

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 52

SAVE THE Date!

Presented in collaboration with SHAREOmaha and our Community Engagement Partners

UPCOMING EVENTS

…WORTH NOTING

September 10, 2021 9th Annual KVC Golf Classic

from local-area nonprofits and charitable organizations

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com/local-events/ or SHAREomaha.org/events/ as well as the featured websites presented for each organization in this section…

KVC Behavioral Healthcare Nebraska (402) 498-4700 | https://nebraska.kvc.org/

August 25, 2021

September 10, 2021

Hops for Harmony

Annual Golf Classic-A Salute to Heroes

Papillion Area Lions Club for Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center $45 • (402) 595-1326 | https://go.evvnt.com/803877-2

Connections Area Agency on Aging (800) 432-9209 | www.connectionsaaa.org

August 27, 2021

September 11, 2021

Annual OAGA Golf Tournament

Heron Haven Wetland Festival

Omaha Amputee Golf Association (402) 291-4118 | www.OAGA.org

Friends of Heron Haven (402) 493-4303 | www.heronhaven.org

August 28, 2021

September 11, 2021

6th annual Suicide Awareness Poker Run

Annual Santa Monica House Fundraiser

22 Veterans Suicide Awareness Association (402) 981-8944 | www.22vsaa.org

Santa Monica, Inc. www.santamonicahouse.org/2020/03/03/spring-fundraiser-2020/ (402) 558-7088 | www.santamonicahouse.org

September 3, 2021

September 11, 2021

Conceive Nebraska at Werner Park

Guns ‘n’ Hoses

Conceive Nebraska https://fb.me/e/3ZcTdsWNL (402) 680-7221 | www.conceivenebraska.org

Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education www.omahagunsnhoses.com/ (531) 225-4347 | www.nebraskaworkforce.org/

September 5, 2021 Mystery Ball Auction and Garage Sale

September 11, 2021

Chasers Charities (402) 738-5114 | chaserscharities.org

OTTF 3rd Annual Poker Run - A Ride to Prevent Veteran Suicide Operation 22 Til Freedom https://operation22tilfreedom.com/events/pokerrun2021/ (712) 314-0485 | www.operation22tilfreedom.com

September 6, 2021 Omahahawks Labor Day Open house

September 13, 2021

Aviation STEM Day www.omahawks.org/a/szz/r/rc/home (402) 807-3855 | www.aviationstemday.org

Tee Off Against Child Abuse (TOACA) Charity Golf Classic Exchange Club of Omaha Foundation https://exchangeclubomaha.org/tee-off-against-child-abuse/ (402) 630-4457 | https://exchangeclubomaha.org/

September 7, 2021 Match Maker Luncheon

September 13, 2021

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands www.bbbsomaha.org/events-updates/event-calendar.html (402) 330-2449 | www.bbbsomaha.org

LFS Lincoln Golf Scramble 2021 Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) (402) 850-4543 | www.lfsneb.org

September 8, 2021 AFSP Nebraska Volunteer Orientation/Volunteer 101

September 15, 2021

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Nebraska https://septvol101ne.attendease.com/ (531) 389-4481 | www.afsp.org/nebraska

20th Anniversary Champion of Change Luncheon

September 9, 2021

September 16, 2021

Southwest Iowa CASA Pre-Service Training

Team Jack Radiothon Presented by The Home Agency

Southwest Iowa CASA Program https://childadvocacy.iowa.gov/volunteer-casa (712) 328-4811 | https://childadvocacy.iowa.gov/

Team Jack Foundation https://teamjackfoundation.org/event/radiothon/ (402) 925-2120 | www.teamjackfoundation.org

North Omaha Area Health (NOAH) (402) 933-0737 | noahclinic.org

52

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/17/21 4:20 PM Page 53

• mMAGAZINE

: E T A D NEW 2 2 0 2 , 8 h c r a M NCERNS O C H T L IC HEA L B U P O GIOUS T A T E N U O D C D E LY POSTPON D WITH THE HIGH TE ASSOCIA ELTA VARIANT 9D COVID-1 53

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

CONTINUED

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 54

SAVE THE Date!

Presented in collaboration with SHAREOmaha and our Community Engagement Partners

UPCOMING EVENTS

…WORTH NOTING

September 24, 2021 RiteCare Classic Golf Benefit

from local-area nonprofits and charitable organizations

Scottish Rite Foundation of Omaha www.scottishriteomaha.org/golf (402) 342-1300 | www.RiteCareNE.org

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com/local-events/ or SHAREomaha.org/events/ as well as the featured websites presented for each organization in this section…

September 17, 2021

September 24, 2021

Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center https://projectharmony.com/events/halfway-to-st-patricks-day/ (402) 595-1326 | ProjectHarmony.com

The Go Beyond Fall Hootenanny!

September 17, 2021

September 25, 2021

All Care Health Center Blood Drive with the American Red Cross

Fall Fundraiser

Go Beyond (218) 750-0784 | www.gobeyondne.org

All Care Health Center www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=All%20Care (712) 325-1990 | www.allcarehealthcenter.org

Conceive Nebraska www.eventbrite.com/e/conceive-nebraska-fall-fundraiser-tickets-159534725…

(402) 680-7221 | www.conceivenebraska.org

September 26, 2021

September 18, 2021

Omaha Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk and Family Festival

Femisheart Foundation Blood Donations Olouwafemi S J Tevoedjre Foundation Inc. (402) 902210 | Femisheart.org

Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands www.ds-stride.org/omahastepup (531) 375-5791 | www.dsamidlands.org

September 18, 2021

September 26, 2021

Omaha Area Out of the Darkness Walk

Bread for Life Brunch Fundraiser

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Nebraska http://afsp.org/omaha (531) 389-4481 | www.afsp.org/nebraska

Project Hope Inc (402) 453-7649 | www.projecthopeomaha.org

September 20, 2021

Friends of Legal Aid Luncheon

Junior Achievement’s Golf Challenge

Legal Aid of Nebraska (402) 348-1069 | www.legalaidofnebraska.org/

September 30, 2021

Junior Achievement of the Midlands, Inc. (402) 333-6410 | www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-midlands/home

October 1, 2021

September 20, 2021

10th Annual Dave Ruback Memorial Golf Tournament

Bill Ellett Memorial Golf Classic

Nebraska Adaptive Sports (402) 720-0208 | https://nebraskaadaptivesports.org

Release Inc (402) 455-0808 | www.releaseinc.org/

October 2-3, 2021

September 23, 2021

Japanese Ambience

Hit the Links Drive Against Disabilities Golf Tournament

Omaha Sister Cities Association (402) 973-0823 | www.omahasistercities.com/

United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska (402) 502-3572 | ucpnebraska.org

October 4, 2021

September 23, 2021

Saving Grace’s Dinner at Dante

African American Leadership Conference

Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue (402) 202-5405 | www.savinggracefoodrescue.org

African American Empowerment Network (402) 502-5153 | www.empoweromaha.com

October 7, 2021

September 23, 2021

MonHOPEoly Fundraising Dinner

Leadership Breakfast

Heartland Hope Mission https://heartlandhopemission.org/news-events/events.html (402) 733-1904 | heartlandhopemission.org

Chronic Care International (402) 960-2217 | chroniccareinternational.org 54

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 55

• mMAGAZINE

UPCOMING EVENTS ARE IN THE WORKS! CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES! We understand the impact Covid 19 is having on our community and we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of all who attend our events.

If you are interested in supporting P4P and our mission, you can make a DONATION at http://www.promise4pawsdogre scue.com/donate.html Or mail your check to: 1027 South 3rd Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503

55

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

CONTINUED

42-56-STD-821.qxp_- 8/9/21 2:24 PM Page 56

SAVE THE Date!

Presented in collaboration with SHAREOmaha and our Community Engagement Partners

UPCOMING EVENTS

…WORTH NOTING

October 14, 2021 Gala

from local-area nonprofits and charitable organizations

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com/local-events/ or SHAREomaha.org/events/ as well as the featured websites presented for each organization in this section…

Bellevue Public Schools Foundation (402) 293-4030 | www.bellevuepublicschoolsfoundation.org

October 7, 2021

October 14, 2021

Night of Inspiring Hope Fundraising Gala

Explore Duet

Fresh Hope for Mental Health www.nightofinspiringhope.com/Purchase-your-tickets-.html (888) 815-4673 | www.freshhope.us

Duet Foundation (402) 444-6500 | www.duetne.org/

October 8, 2021

Legacy Gala

October 15, 2021

8th Annual LGF Farm Run and Festival

Women on a Mission for Change (402) 403-9621 | www.womenonamissionomaha.org/

Little Giants Foundation (402) 658-9624 | www.thelittlegiantsfoundation.org

October 17, 2021

October 9, 2021

Omaha FCA Legacy Dinner

MYLPA Somos El Futuro Scholarship Luncheon Metro Young Latino Professionals mylpa.com

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (402) 934-7475 | OmahaFCA.org

October 9, 2021

October 20, 2021

Virtual AfroCon 2021

At Ease USA 2021 Luncheon

The House of Afros, Capes & Curls (402) 834-1119 | www.afroscapescurls.com

At Ease USA (531) 247-4040 | https://ateaseusa.org

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

What else is possible in 2021?

with ANDEE Hoig podcast 56

metroMAGAZINE • FORWARD TOGETHER 2021

0-CVRS-821.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:11 PM Page CVR3

0-CVRS-821.qxp_QUARTERLY 8/12/21 3:11 PM Page CVR4

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

P.O. Box 241611 Omaha, NE 68124

PAID OMAHA, NE PERMIT NO. 2013