Victoria Ostenso, also known as Tori, joined our Economic Justice team as a Community Organizer focused on our payday lending work. Tori’s pronouns are she/her/hers. Fun fact: Tori was our first Weitz Fellow in 2015-16! Tori’s most memorable experience while working at Appleseed was going on 4-5 day outreach/advocacy trips with fellow organizers “out West” to some of the more… Read more →
Yesterday, the Nebraska Legislature returned to session with now less than 16 days remaining to address the many issues impacting Nebraskans this year. You can find today’s legislative agenda here. Take Action: Essential protections for essential meat and poultry workers For the last several months, we have experienced the drastic impacts COVID-19 has had on meatpacking workers – our family… Read more →
Over two months ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, which closed gaps in previous relief measures to further support families and communities as they continue to confront the COVID-19 public health crisis. It is far past time for the Senate to act to provide critical and inclusive relief to thousands of Nebraskans, including Black and Latinx… Read more →
Advocacy Training: Racial Justice & COVID-19 in Nebraska The effects of the pandemic are widespread, but its health and economic impacts have fallen hardest on Nebraskans of color. The coronavirus has already claimed the lives of hundreds of Nebraskans, but Latinx, Asian, and Black Nebraskans are being hospitalized and dying at significantly higher rates. Join us tonight to prepare and… Read more →
Diane Amdor joined our team as a Staff Attorney in the Economic Justice program this spring! Diane’s pronouns are she/her/hers. As a Staff Attorney, Diane works to combine litigation and policy to create effective pathways out of poverty for everyone in Nebraska. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Duquesne University in 2006, and graduated from the University… Read more →
Thanks to community efforts across the state, Nebraska now joins 44 states and the District of Columbia in participating in the Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program. P-EBT addresses the loss of food access for children during school closures by providing electronic benefits for food assistance to students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. 156,257 Nebraska children will now be able to receive… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Friday, June 19, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Nebraska approved to implement Pandemic EBT, a federal option under SNAP Ensuring over 150,000 Nebraska children and families have the meals they need to stay healthy Lincoln, NE — On Thursday, June 18, 2020, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services… Read more →
Dear neighbors, Collective Impact Lincoln was created in the spirit of listening to and learning from our neighbors, connecting Lincolnites to resources and power structures within our city, and helping foster resident-led change. As we mourn the death of George Floyd and, most recently, James Scurlock of Omaha, we stand with you to say Black lives matter. We know the… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Community Eligibility Provision is a major opportunity for Nebraska Schools, despite low national ranking Participation in CEP provides more students with nutritious school meals LINCOLN, NE – During the 2019-20 school year, less than 10 percent of eligible Nebraska schools participated in the Community… Read more →
Join Us Today to #ThankAHungerHero Note: This is a guest blog post from Economic Justice Fellows, Temi Onayemi and Claire Breen. Today community members across the nation will be thanking Hunger Heroes serving school meals to kids even though schools are closed! We will be joining the national nonprofit, No Kid Hungry, and the rest of the United States in… Read more →
In the midst of a pandemic, our communities have been hit hard by COVID-19, particularly for young people with foster care experience. Many of them are struggling to stay housed, afford food, and are worried about their futures. In Nebraska, we are fortunate to have a program like Bridge to Independence (B2I), which supports young people who age out of… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Statement from Executive Director Becky Gould on Governor Ricketts Allowing Evictions to Proceed LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Ricketts, during his daily press conference on COVID-19 response measures, announced he would not extend the existing Executive Order 20-07… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Friday, May 15, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Statement from Executive Director Becky Gould on the passage of the HEROES Act Lincoln, NE — On Friday, The US House of Representatives voted to pass the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. The… Read more →
In February, the City of Lincoln released a draft of its 2020 Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan. The Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan is built from a wealth of information that forms a picture of Lincoln’s housing market today. It includes an examination of Lincoln’s historic trends, population demographics, economy, and housing market conditions. The plan confirms what we’ve heard… Read more →
As early as Friday, the US House of Representatives could vote on the Heroes Act which is designed to close gaps in previous relief measures and support families and communities as they continue to confront the COVID-19 public health crisis and its ripple effects. This bill would provide critical relief to thousands of Nebraskans left out of the CARES Act,… Read more →
Each week we are getting new updates about resources available to Nebraskans during the pandemic. We have been keeping tabs on a number of topics and will continue sharing information with you as we learn more about what is out there to help Nebraskans and their families across our state. How SNAP can help you during the pandemic The Supplemental… Read more →
“How are kids supposed to eat if they aren’t allowed in the school?” “Where am I going to get the money to pay for 10 more meals a week?” “Is help available?” Questions like these likely came up thousands of times as schools across Nebraska closed their doors for the school year because of COVID-19 coming from parents, caretakers, and… Read more →
This May, you have two great opportunities to support Appleseed and ensure no one in our communities is left behind amid COVID-19. First, we’re celebrating Omaha Gives on Wednesday, May 20. When you give, a generous supporter will match the first $5,000 donated, dollar-for-dollar. Schedule your gift here now through May 20 and DOUBLE your donation! A week later, we’re… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Tuesday, May 5, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Pandemic EBT can help feed Nebraska families during COVID-19 Ensuring that over 170,600 children in Nebraska have the meals they need to stay healthy Lincoln, NE — On Monday, May 4, Nebraska advocacy, education, and food security… Read more →
Nebraska communities need critical missing COVID-19 protections for meat and poultry workers without delay. Our families’ health, community health, and continued food production are at risk, as highlighted by growing numbers of COVID-19 outbreaks and meat and poultry plant closures across our state and the country. Friends and family working in the plants are still standing elbow-to-elbow on fast-paced production… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Lack of COVID protections threatens Nebraska workers, communities, food production Community groups highlight missing protections, offer assistance Lincoln, NE — On Wednesday, April 29, Nebraska community advocates, food production workers, and public health organizations held a virtual… Read more →
Meatpacking outbreaks highlight immediate need to protect workers As meatpacking plants in Nebraska become the epicenter of the state’s coronavirus outbreak, the struggles faced by the workers inside are becoming increasingly apparent and alarming. Many face a difficult choice: go to work and risk exposing yourself and your family, or stay at home with no pay. This crisis has deepened… Read more →
As the country continues to navigate the public health and economic crisis, it is critical for Congress to respond to the vital needs of our communities by passing an inclusive, fourth coronavirus relief package. This legislation must ensure that testing, medical care, financial relief, food assistance, and foster care funding covers all Americans, regardless of immigration status. As federal policymakers… Read more →
With so many Nebraskans facing unemployment and reduced income, many are confronting challenges making ends meet. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can help. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, can help individuals and families get nutritious food on their tables. Who is eligible for SNAP? Because of the major economic changes caused by COVID-19 many people may find themselves eligible… Read more →
Essential workers must have essential protections Nebraska’s meatpacking workers find themselves in dangerous working conditions As meatpacking plants in Nebraska become the epicenter of the state’s coronavirus outbreak, the struggles faced by the workers inside are becoming increasingly apparent and alarming. Many face a difficult choice: go to work and risk exposing yourself and your family, or stay at home… Read more →
