See you at Session 2 : Belonging Barometer – Tools for Building Community
Wednesday, July 1st, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT) on Zoom
Come learn together as we dig deep into the belonging barometer for Session 2 of the 12th-annual statewide welcoming convening (virtual) summer series! We just wrapped up our first session with community leaders from across Nebraska and beyond, who gathered, shared ideas, and discovered new stories and understanding along the way.
We invite you to come learn about the Belonging Barometer, a tool developed by the American Immigration Council and Over Zero to measure how strongly people feel they belong in settings such as their family, friendships, workplace, local community, and the nation. The Belonging Barometer is valuable because it provides a clear, research-based way to measure something that is often difficult to quantify. It moves beyond assumptions and anecdotes by offering data that helps organizations understand how community members truly feel about connection, inclusion, and trust.
Additionally, the Belonging Barometer serves as a foundation for action. It not only diagnoses challenges but also guides program development, policy decisions, and resource allocation. For organizations here in Nebraska like Empowering Families in Scottsbluff, it ensures that efforts to build belonging are data-informed, intentional, and responsive to real community needs.
Ultimately, its value lies in turning a complex, deeply human experience into actionable insights that can strengthen trust, connection, and overall community well-being.
Meet our local and national speakers for session two!
Emily Baird-Chrisohon
Emily Baird-Chrisohon is an experienced trainer, facilitator, and program manager. At the Center for Inclusion and Belonging, Emily utilizes her experience in advocacy, narrative change, and program development to shape public narrative campaigns and foster inclusive communities.
Before joining the American Immigration Council, Emily served as the Narrative and Engagement Manager with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition where she drove initiatives to shift public opinion on immigration through research, deep canvassing, and faith-based organizing. Emily has also led interreligious dialogue efforts with Religions for Peace USA’s “A Seat at the Table” program, designed to bridge differences and share stories over a common meal.
Emily was born and raised in Florence, Alabama. She holds a B.A. from Berry College and a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. Emily resides in Tennessee, where you can find her hiking, reading a good book, or enjoying Nashville’s incredible music scene.
Valeria Rodriguez
Valeria Rodriguez, Executive Director of Empowering Families in Scottsbluff/Gering, Nebraska, holds a B.A. in Spanish and Political Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska–Omaha. She co-founded Empowering Families in 2018, driven by a passion for community advocacy and building collective power.
During her MPA program in fall 2023, Valeria utilized the Barometer of Belonging to assess the sense of belonging in Scotts Bluff County. This research continues to inform and guide Empowering Families’ programs and strategic priorities.
Valeria’s leadership is defined by her unwavering commitment to empowering communities, fostering civic engagement, and advancing meaningful, community-centered change.
Save these dates for our next two sessions!
Each of these sessions will include stories from local leaders, interactive workshops, and time to connect with others. We hope you’ll join us on these Wednesdays as we learn more about how we all belong in welcoming. More details to come on these final two sessions!
Session 3: The Value of Multisector Partnerships
Wednesday, August 5th, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)
Session 4: Arts for Wellness and Belonging
Wednesday, September 2nd, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT)
(You can register for the series and attend whichever dates work for you!)
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.