This blog guest-written by SHARE Omaha friend Grant Mussman.
Why do I LOVE nonprofits? Oh my goodness, so many reasons.
First, it always connects me to my mom. From a very young age, she embedded in me a sense of connecting with others who were different than myself, and giving back when possible. If my memory serves me, and I was pretty darned young, we'd pile into her blue or brown Ford Pinto and head to grab our once-a-week asignment of meals on wheels and we would make our rounds. I'm sure I was cuter as a youngster than I am at 40, but I remember so fondly my connection with those in need. Most were so grateful to see us and as I've grown, I've learned more about food security and how important it is for us to take care of each other.
Sometimes, you don’t know all of the GOOD that is happening in Omaha until you ask. At SHARE Omaha, we wanted to know what’s happening at Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education. The response from Ginny Czechut, Events and Development Director, was even more special than we anticipated.
“Project Reset, a program at Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education which specifically mentors justice-involved individuals into a career in the skilled trades and labor industry, was contacted by a Gang Intervention Specialist for the Omaha Police Department who had made a connection with a group of young men who are on juvenile probation and part of a new local street gang.”
When children are removed from home due to abuse or neglect, they often leave with only the clothes on their back and whatever personal items can be hastily gathered up into a trash bag.
From June 11-18, 2021, during a special Project Hope Pack Drive, we have an opportunity to provide hope and dignity to Omaha metro children facing scary changes.
CASA for Douglas County partners with a network of 14 child-serving agencies in our community to distribute Project Hope Packs to children entering foster care or being moved between placements. These backpacks contain essential hygiene and comfort items and serve as a sign of hope to boost children’s spirits and promote dignity and resilience in the face of adversity.
This past Saturday at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, SHARE Omaha and Marjorie Maas were honored to be presented with the PBR Be Cowboy Award!
As the Professional Bull Riding, Inc Be Cowboy Award says,
It's not the hat, the buckle, or the boots.
It's not what you ride or what you drive.
It's the values you embrace and the way you live your life.
Be Badder Be Bolder Be Braver
BE COWBOY
Even though we’re starting to see the light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, we still face a lot of challenges as a community. It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions, and to feel a little bit overwhelmed as we confront a lot of big, societal issues.
We aren’t a food bank, food pantry or preparer of foods – we’re a fundraiser for those kinds of nonprofits. We make feeding the hungry easier. Because we make Food Security Grants that must be spent entirely on food for the needy, our supporters can be sure that our grants pay for food and only food.
We thought up a fun game to promote our work – the Virtual Scavenger Hunt.
With 2020 being the final year of Omaha Community Foundation's Omaha Gives, SHARE Omaha is thrilled to partner with Omaha Community Foundation (OCF) to bring to life SHARE Omaha's Do Good Week! As the supporting sponsor of #MissionMonday during Do Good Week, OCF is highlighting their new Community Resilience Fund.
All of us have been affected by COVID-19 in some way and will continue to feel its effects for years to come—some more than others. Only together can we overcome the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic and build our capacity to face challenges, as a community.
We have so much great news to share from our nonprofit partners about their amazing work. But, we'd love to hear from you. Let us know if you have stories you'd like to tell and we'll make you a guest blogger!!
