Help us welcome back Kelsey Arends (she/her/hers), the new staff attorney for the Health Care Access Program! While an undergraduate at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Kelsey interned with our Immigrants and Communities team back in 2012! She received her JD from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2019. Before joining Appleseed, Kelsey was an attorney with Legal Aid of… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Monday, November 22, 2021 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Community, Worker, and Farmer Groups Welcome Meatpacking Legislation Bill Introduced as Nebraskans Prepare for Holidays with Family and Food NEBRASKA – Today, as Nebraskans prepare for holidays with family and food, the Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act… Read more →
Building a just, vibrant, and inclusive Nebraska can feel like a series of marathons. Some end with accomplishment and hope. Others drag on or end in disappointment. No matter the outcome, we always end each race taking the next step forward together. As we prepare for the races ahead, we should reflect on what’s been accomplished, find moments of rest… Read more →
In meeting new neighbors and working toward creating inclusive communities, we cannot fully understand what another person is dealing with, and we are also often unaware of stories that don’t get big news headlines or scroll across our screens. Political unrest, violence, and war affect our neighbors in ways that most of us have never experienced. Our neighbors are not… Read more →
Each semester, Appleseed is fortunate to work with bright, talented, and dedicated interns and law clerks who are passionate about fighting for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. We’re excited to have interns and clerks join our team virtually! Meet the outstanding Nebraskans who dedicate their time to positive change in our communities. We’re also excited for our returning… Read more →
November is Native American Heritage Month and it’s a time to celebrate the cultures, accomplishments, and contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Telling stories and sharing culture through dance, family traditions, art, and music, we can learn contemporary diversity and the long history of Indigenous peoples across the land we now call the United States. On our continuous journey… Read more →
“[T]he attachment between parent and child forms the basis of who we are as humans . . .”1 Not only is the parent-child relationship socially sacred, it is legally significant.” In 2010, Nebraska had the highest rate of children in out-of-home placements in the country, removing children from their homes twice as much as the national average. Since, our child… Read more →
“The mental hoops I had to jump through to convince myself things were going to work out and I was going to have enough money to make rent and buy food were ridiculous. If I had a living wage… I would have been able to more comfortably live my life instead of fearing overdraft fees and bankruptcy.” Hannah Robinson shared… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Raise the Wage Nebraska Presents Local Worker, Leader Stories Local Workers, Leaders, and Advocates Speak on the Importance of Raising the Wage Lincoln, NE — Today, the Raise the Wage Nebraska coalition launched a virtual conference focused… Read more →
Congress has the opportunity to pass meaningful and long-awaited reforms that would make a real difference in the lives of Nebraskans. The new House Build Back Better legislation is a historic step forward that can bring real change by reducing poverty and lessening racial disparities. We need your advocacy to let our members of Congress know we support this legislation.… Read more →
Tea Time with Khenda The quarterly newsletter where we share Updates & Opportunities for Inclusive Communities Now that the leaves are changing color and autumn has arrived, I hope you are warming up with a steaming cup of your favorite tea or coffee. I am glad you’re here, so let’s share some feel-good stories. Recently I sat down with Hope… Read more →
Throughout October, we’ve been celebrating the honorees of our 2021 Good Apple Awards, Appleseed’s annual fundraiser recognizing community advocates who are building a more just, vibrant, and inclusive Nebraska. This year’s honorees include: Danelle Smith, Sen. John McCollister, Sen. Terrell McKinney, and the law firms of DLA Piper and Rosen Bien Galvan Grunfeld. They represent what’s possible when Nebraskans step… Read more →
SNAP benefits are increasing! As of this month, new updates to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan will increase SNAP benefits. The following table shows the increased projected average benefits for households: What is the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP)? The Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) is the set of guidelines used to determine the amount of SNAP… Read more →
As we strive to build more welcoming communities where everyone feels they belong, we recognize that segregation and inequity are barriers to belonging. That is why it is important to educate ourselves about the causes (history) and effects (outcomes) of racism in our communities, and learn how to talk about them with those around us — so that we can… Read more →
This summer, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it anticipates investing $500 million to improve infrastructure in the meat and poultry industries. In response, Nebraska Appleseed submitted public comments urging the USDA to use these funds to reduce meat processing line speeds and implement ergonomic reforms. Currently, meatpacking facilities operate line speeds known to cause serious injuries,… Read more →
Join us throughout the month of October as we celebrate the honorees of its 2021 Good Apple Awards, Appleseed’s annual fundraiser celebrating community advocates who are building a more just, vibrant, and inclusive Nebraska. The 2021 awardees represent what’s possible when Nebraskans step forward to tackle our toughest problems in the spirit of building community, working collaboratively, and persistently pursuing… Read more →
Nicholas, “Nick” Grandgenett (he/him/his) is the new Staff Attorney with the Immigrants & Communities (ICP) program! Although new to his current position, Nick previously worked as a law clerk for Appleseed’s Child Welfare and ICP teams. His most memorable experience as a law clerk was helping to prepare a workers’ safety bill in the summer of 2020. While living in… Read more →
Join us throughout the month of October as we celebrate the honorees of its 2021 Good Apple Awards, Appleseed’s annual fundraiser celebrating community advocates who are building a more just, vibrant, and inclusive Nebraska. The 2021 awardees represent what’s possible when Nebraskans step forward to tackle our toughest problems in the spirit of building community, working collaboratively, and persistently pursuing… Read more →
Join us throughout the month of October as we celebrate the honorees of its 2021 Good Apple Awards, Appleseed’s annual fundraiser celebrating community advocates who are building a more just, vibrant, and inclusive Nebraska. The 2021 awardees represent what’s possible when Nebraskans step forward to tackle our toughest problems in the spirit of building community, working collaboratively, and persistently pursuing… Read more →
Welcoming communities and places are made possible by people like you! Whether you’re a student, librarian, government worker, or business owner, each of us is empowered to foster more welcoming places at work, in our neighborhoods, and places of gathering where everyone feels like they belong. We hope you can join us for The Fostering Belonging Individually and Structurally series… Read more →
Join us throughout the month of October as we celebrate the honorees of its 2021 Good Apple Awards, Appleseed’s annual fundraiser celebrating community advocates who are building a more just, vibrant, and inclusive Nebraska. The 2021 awardees represent what’s possible when Nebraskans step forward to tackle our toughest problems in the spirit of building community, working collaboratively, and persistently pursuing… Read more →
This is a guest blog by Appleseed’s Economic Justice Intern Jazon Ezell. School meals are a consistent source of healthy and nutritious foods for many students and families. During school breaks, some families struggle with finding access to these options. Emergency food pantries and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are both great resources for Nebraska individuals and families. Statewide… Read more →
In 2010, Nebraska had the highest rate of children in out-of-home placements in the country. Yet, the majority of Nebraska’s reports of alleged child abuse or neglect are due to “physical neglect,” or poverty, rather than abuse, meaning these families need economic supports rather than removal. Non-Court Involved cases are cases where a report of abuse or neglect has been… Read more →
Rómulo “R.J.” Vega (he/him/él) was born and raised in Kearney, Nebraska, before eventually enrolling at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in 2003. It was at UNL where R.J. discovered his passion for serving and connecting with others, beginning with the Mexican-American Student Association (MASA), the Phi Alpha Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, and by working as a student… Read more →
Ruby Méndez López (she/her/hers) joined our Immigrants and Communities Program as a Community Organizer this summer! Ruby has collaborated with Nebraska Appleseed on numerous projects, including being a statewide leader for our Power of Participation Series and most recently as an artist advocate for the Meatpacking Workers coalition. Ruby brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as a… Read more →
