This is a guest blog post by Nebraska Appleseed Immigrants & Communities Program Intern, Nile Debebe. Honest dialogue about racism and its impact is a vital step in building inclusive communities and until or unless we are intentional, we will not achieve communities where everyone feels like they belong. On this Martin Luther King Day, intern Nile Debebe shares his… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Thursday, January 13, 2022 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed Response to the Governor’s State of the State LINCOLN, NE – On Thursday, January 13, Nebraska Appleseed’s Executive Director, Becky Gould, issued the following statement in response to Governor Ricketts’ State of the State Address… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed’s Legislative Update News and Updates from the Nebraska Unicameral Happy 2022! The Nebraska Legislature officially kicked off this year’s short session today. Senators will introduce new legislation for the next 10 days and hearings on those bills will begin in a few short weeks. We also expect floor debate on carry-over legislation to start as soon as next… Read more →
Throughout January, Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is hosting listening sessions to get feedback from Nebraskans on Medicaid’s managed care program. Your voice makes a difference Share your experience with Medicaid’s current health plans during these listening sessions to help improve Medicaid managed care in Nebraska. Below are the details for the listening sessions, including two virtual… Read more →
This year, We’ve had the opportunity to work on some of the toughest issues facing Nebraskans and their families. We couldn’t have done this without you – our friends and allies. We are proud to celebrate another year with a grassroots network of big-hearted and forward-thinking Nebraskans to create a brighter, more just future for our communities. You’ve made some… Read more →
Tea Time with Khenda The quarterly newsletter where we share Updates & Opportunities for Inclusive Communities This year has been full of wonderful opportunities and challenges, and I could not be happier to have shared the journey with all of you Welcoming leaders of Nebraska. You’re invited: Statewide book club! As you may have heard, we are ending the year… Read more →
We are in a critical moment for Build Back Better legislation, which includes a long-overdue opportunity to fix outdated immigration laws after 35 years of Congressional inaction, as well as other important investments in families and children. For this month’s Take Action Tuesday, please join us in letting your members of Congress know why this legislation is important to you.… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Tuesday, December 14, 2021 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119X C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed responds to the end of the child welfare contract in Omaha Nebraska’s child welfare system should ensure stability for children and families Lincoln, NE — On Tuesday, December 14, The Nebraska Department of Health and… Read more →
Building Back Better must include stability for Nebraska’s community members! Join us this week in taking action to make sure citizenship is included in the Build Back Better package! Congress will vote in the next couple of weeks, and we cannot Build Back Better without stability and a way for longtime community members to apply for residency and citizenship. Full… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed advocates for the well-being of Nebraskans throughout the year — and Nebraskans will continue to be our priority throughout 2022. When you become a Sustaining Monthly Donor, each month’s small action adds up to create BIG change all-year long on important issues. TODAY, a generous supporter will donate $100 for every NEW Sustaining Monthly Donor up to $2,000!… Read more →
Today, we begin our seven-day drive to raise $70,000 by this Monday, December 13th — one final sprint before the end of the year to prepare a strong pathway for a just, vibrant, and inclusive Nebraska in 2022. A generous supporter is helping us start the week strong by MATCHING the first $5,000 donated TODAY! When you contribute by the… Read more →
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 →
