Join community leaders from across Nebraska who are fostering inclusive spaces of connection and growth! 

The beginning of a new year is a great time for new learning. In January, join Nebraska Is Home: “Through our Neighbors’ Eyes”, a virtual film series, bringing together a collection of short films that highlight immigrant and refugee stories, and experiences of belonging.

These three films feature local Nebraskans’ stories! Following each film, we will speak with the filmmakers and people who have this lived experience – all with the aim of enhancing our understanding of our neighbors. Make a cup of cocoa, turn on your virtual fireplace, and join us on the following Tuesday evenings as we work toward building belonging for all.

Save the dates now and register for the series!

(You can register for the series and attend whichever dates work for you!)

January 21, 7-8 PM CT (6-7 PM MT)
Film 1: To the State of the Good Life

To the State of the Good Life is an intimate exploration of the American Dream through the eyes of Raúl Arcos Hawkins, a community leader and DACA recipient in Grand Island, Nebraska. The film delves into Raúl’s journey, weaving his personal aspirations, contributions to his community, and his work ethic with the uncertainty he and other Dreamers across the country face.  

Raúl Arcos Hawkins, executive director of the Multicultural Coalition of Grand Island, and Robert William Stevens, storyteller, filmmaker will join us for discussion following the film screening! 

January 28, 7-8 PM CT (6-7 PM MT)
Film 2: Cultures in the Crossfade: Lincoln

This 20-minute documentary Cultures in the Crossfade tells the story of the international musicians who found a home and new life paths in Nebraska. The “crossfader” is a tool of DJ mixing, used to mix without erasing, to combine without destroying, to juggle and sustain difference similar to these musicians who bond over making music together. Musicians who had not played together nor shared the same styles of music bond over new music created as they bring their experiences and cultures together.

Hasan Khalil, musician, barber and community builder and Josh Kun, author, academic and music critic will join us for discussion following the film screening. 

February 4, 7-8 PM CT (6-7 PM MT)
Film 3: The Healing of Harman

The Healing of Harman follows a Kurdish refugee named Harman Doski who has made a new life for himself in the heartland of America. Halfway across the world, his past catches up with him when he meets a mysterious man who asks for help with life and death consequences. A short film about hope, faith and forgiveness.

Julie Uribe, writer, will join us for discussion following the film screening. 

Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests. 

We’re All In for Lived Expertise on Local Boards!

Friday, August 9th from 10:00-11:30 am CT (9:00-10:30 am MT) on Zoom

We are excited to see you Friday for Session 3 of the (Virtual) Statewide Welcoming Convening! 

For the third and final session of the annual Nebraska summer welcoming convening we will welcome three Nebraska voices to the table. What will be the table discussion?…everything about lived expertise on local boards! Learn more about the work being done in Columbus with Karina Perez (Centro Hispano), in Omaha with Mohammed Sahil (Nebraska Afghan Community Center), and in South Sioux city with Stephanie Rodriquez (board member, Unity in Action). They will provide a personal lens into what it truly means to bring all of our lived experiences to the table – and how to do so effectively – when serving the community. 

Join us to learn more about lived expertise and to connect with welcoming leaders across the state on August 9th starting at 10am CT (9AM MT)! 

Meet the people at the table:

Karina Perez was born in Los Angeles, California, she and her family migrated to Nebraska in 1999 seeking work opportunities in the Midwest. Her parents are immigrants from El Salvador who found Columbus to be their forever home. She is the Executive Director for Centro Hispano in Columbus, Nebraska and focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in rural Nebraska through storytelling and shared experiences. Karina serves as a board member to CASA Connections in Columbus, Center for Rural Affairs, Nebraska Community Foundation, and is an Ex-Officio board member to the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mohammad Sahil is the founder and executive director of Nebraska Afghan Community Center. Mohammad served with the U.S. military for nearly a decade in Afghanistan. He and his wife immigrated to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa program. He has almost nine years of experience working with refugee and immigrant populations in various roles with nonprofit organizations and Omaha Public Schools. Mohammad currently serves on the Great Plains IDeA-CTR Community Action Board and is the chair of the Omaha Refugee Task Force which consists of over 200 organizations and individuals dedicated to the successful resettlement and inclusion of refugees in the Omaha area.

Stephanie Rodriguez grew up in South Sioux City and recently relocated to Columbus, Nebraska. She is a Mortgage Loan Officer at BankFirst with nearly a decade of experience in the banking industry. Her parents are from the beautiful state of Chihuahua, Mexico and she is very proud of her Mexican heritage. In her spare time, she enjoys cheering on her two little ones at their sporting events and being their biggest supporter. She has served on the Centro Hispano board and is currently serving on the board of Unity in Action. 

During this session, you will have the opportunity to hear and learn from experienced local leaders and network with peers, all with the aim of enhancing our collective knowledge and skills. Hope to see you on Friday! 

It’s not too late to register!

Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests. 

Join us in welcoming our new Welcoming Coordinator, Eric Garcia-Mendez!

Hi, my name is Eric Garcia-Mendez! I am excited to begin working at Nebraska Appleseed as the new Welcoming Coordinator. After four years in the non-profit sector working on welcoming and belonging in Grand Island, I will now be using my experience to connect and elevate the welcoming and belonging work across the state. Growing up in rural Nebraska in an immigrant family, I lived in a very culturally rich and diverse community that has shaped my understanding of belonging. I am very fortunate to have been able to attain a public school education and later a bachelor of science in Environmental Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I have worked professionally as a Conversation Director with Conservation Nebraska and as a Director of Community Connections at the Heartland United Way in Grand Island.

As I begin working at Nebraska Appleseed I will be traveling to visit community partners, local leaders and welcoming communities all across the state. If you have any local restaurant food recommendations or would like to tell me what’s really special about your community, I would like to meet with you! 

In the meantime I want to let you know about some upcoming learning opportunities for you! Check them out:

Race Forward, November 20-22 in Saint Louis, MO: This is the nation’s largest multiracial, intergenerational racial justice conference and is a vital intersection where community organizers, activists, and movement makers converge to build power and strategies to advance racial justice. Attendees have unprecedented access to resources, information, and collaborative opportunities geared towards advancing racial equity for all.

National Immigrant Inclusion Conference, December 8-10 in Houston, TX. The National Immigrant Inclusion Conference (NIIC) is the nation’s largest gathering of the entire sector working on behalf of our country’s immigrants and refugees. The conference is an inspiring, intersectional and collegial space that showcases the expertise and innovation of a wide range of leaders, organizations, and networks all working on behalf of America’s immigrants and refugees and towards a shared vision of a welcoming, inclusive and equitable democracy.

Panhandle Welcoming Communities Conference, June 20 9:00-4:00 (MT), Gering Civic Center, 1050 M Street, Gering, NE. This conference, hosted by Empowering Families, focuses on providing professionals and community leaders a forum for awareness, dialogue, and skill-building to create welcoming and inclusive environments. National and statewide experts will discuss topics including arts & public health, healthcare disparities, cross cultural communication, Latinx/Hispanic identity in the Midwest, and overcoming community divisions through mindful response.