Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15th to October 15th in the United States, is a time to recognize and honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. This month-long celebration begins on the anniversary of the independence of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
In Omaha, Nebraska, the Hispanic and Latino population has played a significant role in shaping the city’s cultural fabric and contributing to its growth and diversity. The history of Hispanics in Omaha dates back over a century, with the earliest immigrants arriving in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these early settlers came seeking better economic opportunities and brought with them their traditions, languages, and customs.
Throughout the month we will highlight nonprofits making a difference in the areas of education, arts, culture, youth development, healthcare, human services, and community involvement. All of the nonprofits highlighted were awarded grants from OCF’s 2023 Futuro Latino Fund. You can read the first post about nonprofits serving the local Hispanic and Latino communities in the areas of Education and Arts here.
Youth Development
LIVE Leadership Camp celebrates Latina heritage by offering girls the opportunity to explore their culture, identity, family unity, spirituality, living in two languages, and overcoming life’s challenges, all while focusing on the uniqueness of the Latina experience and tradition. This faith-based leadership camp brings in Latina leaders from the Midwest to offer an intergenerational, inspirational, and culturally relevant experience for local girls. They were awarded $20,000 to continue offering the camp in 2023.
This was the 17th year of the camp where 20 girls were able to hear from leaders in a small-group setting at the Creighton Retreat Center in Griswold, Iowa.
“LIVE Leadership Camp allows Latinas to experience the pride, hope, and joy of belonging to the Latino community,” Anadelia Lamas Morgan, VP and Fund Development Co-Chair wrote.
Jackson Boxing Club offers young people new skills and mentorship in a boxing ring. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, or financial situation, this boxing club welcomes young people to work hard and learn a new sport.
According to the CDC, gun violence in 2019 and 2020 took the lives of more Hispanic males ages 15-19 than cancer and car crashes combined. Several factors contribute to these statistics, including unsafe neighborhoods, gangs, challenges in school, struggles at home, and a lack of community organization.
“Jackson Boxing Club is changing the trajectory of these young lives by providing a safe, constructive outlet for frustrations,” said Jose Campos, the club’s Executive Director. “Every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed. By keeping young people engaged, energized, and focused, they can reach their highest potential. Among other health benefits, boxing improves concentration and coordination, reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and empowers young people through increased confidence and self-discipline.”
Jackson Boxing Club was awarded $17,500 for operations, equipment, and competition travel in order to continue supporting local youth through athletics.
Health and Human Services
Families in Action/Familias en Acción is a group of women and families who come together to promote health, well-being and knowledge for the next generation in the local Latino community as role models. Since 1997, their programs have expanded to include academic support, art programs, exercise programs, mental wellness, sewing, sporting programs, youth mentoring, and other services based on the needs of participants.
According to PEW research, 52% of Latinx families reported facing health or financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the women behind Families in Action began offering mental wellness programming for women.
They were awarded $10,000 this year for Mujeres y su Bienestar (Women and Their Wellbeing), to implement Spanish-language mental wellness activities that participants requested. Activities include an intensive mental wellness course and piloting an ongoing wellness course for program graduates. They are also implementing art classes and weekly informal chats.
“Programming is culturally informed and creates a platform where participants can feel safe joining together to break the stigma of silence surrounding mental wellness while decreasing isolation and building social support,” said Virginia McGill, Families in Action Executive Director.
The goal of this programming is to teach skills to decrease intrusive or troubling feelings and behaviors, increase personal empowerment, and improve the quality of life for themselves, their families, and ultimately their community.
MOMentum does the multi-layered work of assisting local women (especially single moms) finding and maintaining employment. This includes working with businesses, coaching women in interview skills, assisting with transportation, and ongoing support.
“For Latinas that are paid hourly rates, 1.41% were paid below the $7.25 federal minimum wage compared to the 1.18% of all hourly workers in 2020,” said Founder and President Meridith Metcalf. “MOMentum helps women find jobs that meet their preferences and needs around schedules, location, and pay. After helping mom find employment and negotiate fair pay, MOMentum works with her to develop a five year career plan to reach her goals.”
This work takes incredible ingenuity as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to assisting women with their job goals. Some women are looking to build a career, others want to work as much as possible for a short time before relocating. MOMentum works with individuals to support each woman with her specific goals. They were awarded $5,000 for to assist women with transportation.
Grants made through our Community Interest Funds are strategic investments meant to increase access and equity. We ask community members to lead the grant process using their own power and understanding. Each committee is made up of residents who come from or identify with the population being served. They review proposals and decide which projects to fund based on the needs they are seeing in their community.