APPLESEED TEAM

César is originally from Mexico City and has an array of experience internationally in community economic development, project coordination, and relationship management with nonprofits. He holds a BA in International Relations from the University de las Americas in Mexico City and a MA in Sustainable Urban Governance and Peace from the University for Peace in Costa Rica. César joined our team as the community organizer for the Immigrants and Communities program in 2018. In his role, César is responsible for maintaining key relationships with immigrant leaders and community partners across the state. César helps coordinate and support grassroots efforts such as the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiative to increase voter turnout. One of César’s accomplishments thus far includes keeping volunteers engaged and motivated during challenging times. In his spare time, Cesar enjoys listening to music and appreciating the arts.

Sarah Helvey is the Director of Appleseed’s Child Welfare program. She currently sits on the Nebraska Supreme Court Commission on Children in the Courts and the Bridge to Independence Advisory Committee of the Nebraska Children’s Commission. She authored and co-authored several amicus briefs before the Nebraska Supreme Court in cases addressing the Indian Child Welfare Act, sibling placement, and the authority of juvenile courts in Nebraska and successfully litigated Webb v. Phillips and K.D. & S.L. v. Winterer. She has also had the great honor of partnering with youth with foster care experience to advocate for the passage of key legislative victories, including the Nebraska Strengthening Families Act and the Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act. She was recognized as one of the 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Omahans and is a graduate of the Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy and the Nonprofit Executive Institute. She has been a member of the Girls Inc. guild board since 2008, serving as the guild president and on the Girls Inc. Board of Directors from 2018-2020. She loves to hang out with her husband and their two daughters and two dogs, and volunteer as a Girl Scout troop leader and coach for volleyball and Girls on the Run.