Life Itself XVI:
Social justice, civil rights, human services, human rights, community development stories
Unequal Justice: Juvenile detention numbers are down, but bias persists
https://leoadambiga.com/2018/03/09/unequal-justice-…ut-bias-persists
To vote or not to vote
https://leoadambiga.com/2018/06/01/to-vote-or-not-to-vote/
North Omaha rupture at center of PlayFest drama
https://leoadambiga.com/2018/04/30/north-omaha-rupt…f-playfest-drama/
Her mother’s daughter: Charlene Butts Ligon carries on civil rights legacy of her late mother Evelyn Thomas Butts
https://leoadambiga.com/2018/01/28/her-mothers-daug…lyn-thomas-butts/
Brenda Council: A public servant’s life
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/06/26/brenda-council-a…ic-servants-life
The Urban League movement lives strong in Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/11/17/the-urban-league…-strong-in-omaha/
Park Avenue Revitalization and Gentrification: InCommon Focuses on Urban Neighborhood
https://leoadambiga.com/2018/02/25/park-avenue-revi…ban-neighborhood/
Health and healing through culture and community
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/11/17/health-and-heali…re-and-community
Syed Mohiuddin: A pillar of the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/09/01/syed-mohiuddin-a…tiative-in-omaha
Re-entry prepares current and former incarcerated individuals for work and life success on the outside
https://leoadambiga.com/2018/01/10/re-entry-prepare…s-on-the-outside/
Frank LaMere: A good man’s work is never done
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/07/11/frank-lamere-a-g…rk-is-never-done
Behind the Vision: Othello Meadows of 75 North Revitalization Corp.
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/06/27/behind-the-visio…italization-corp
North Omaha beckons investment, combats gentrification
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/05/25/north-omaha-beck…s-gentrification
SAFE HARBOR: Activists working to create Omaha Area Sanctuary Network as refuge for undocumented persons in danger of arrest-deportation
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/06/29/safe-harbor-acti…rest-deportation
Heartland Dreamers have their say in nation’s capitol
https://leoadambiga.com/2018/03/24/heartland-dreame…-nations-capitol/
Of Dreamers and doers, and one nation indivisible under…
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/02/21/of-dreamers-and-…ndivisible-under/
Refugees and asylees follow pathways to freedom, safety and new starts
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/02/21/refugees-and-asy…y-and-new-starts
Coming to America: Immigrant-Refugee mosaic unfolds in new ways and old ways in Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/07/10/coming-to-americ…ld-ways-in-omaha
History in the making: $65M Tri-Faith Initiative bridges religious, social, political gaps
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/05/25/history-in-the-m…l-political-gaps
A systems approach to addressing food insecurity in North Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/08/11/a-systems-approa…y-in-north-omaha
No More Empty Pots Intent on Ending North Omaha Food Desert
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/08/13/no-more-empty-po…t-in-north-omaha
Poverty in Omaha:
Breaking the cycle and the high cost of being poor
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/01/03/poverty-in-omaha…st-of-being-poor/
Down and out but not done in Omaha: Documentary surveys the poverty landscape
https://leoadambiga.com/2015/11/03/down-and-out-but…overty-landscape
Struggles of single moms subject of film and discussion; Local women can relate to living paycheck to paycheck
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/10/24/the-struggles-of…heck-to-paycheck
Aisha’s Adventures: A story of inspiration and transformation; homelessness didn’t stop entrepreneurial missionary Aisha Okudi from pursuing her goals
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/07/10/aisha-okudis-sto…rsuing-her-goals
Omaha Community Foundation project assesses the Omaha landscape with the goal of affecting needed change
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/05/10/omaha-community-…ng-needed-change/
Nelson Mandela School Adds Another Building Block to North Omaha’s Future
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/01/24/nelson-mandela-s…th-omahas-future
Partnership 4 Kids – Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/06/03/partnership-4-ki…reaking-barriers
Changing One Life at a Time: Mentoring Takes Center Stage as Individuals and Organizations Make Mentoring Count
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/01/05/changing-one-lif…-mentoring-count/
Where Love Resides: Celebrating Ty and Terri Schenzel
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/02/02/where-love-resid…d-terri-schenzel/
North Omaha: Voices and Visions for Change
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/02/29/north-omaha-voic…sions-for-change
Black Lives Matter: Omaha activists view social movement as platform for advocating-making change
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/08/26/black-lives-matt…ng-making-change
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Change in North Omaha: It’s been a long time coming for northeast Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2015/08/01/change-in-north-…-northeast-omaha/
Girls Inc. makes big statement with addition to renamed North Omaha center
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/05/23/girls-inc-makes-…rth-omaha-center
NorthStar encourages inner city kids to fly high; Boys-only after-school and summer camp put members through their paces
https://leoadambiga.com/2015/06/17/northstar-encour…ough-their-paces/
Big Mama, Bigger Heart: Serving Up Soul Food and Second Chances
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/10/17/big-mama-bigger-…d-second-chances/
When a building isn’t just a building: LaFern Williams South YMCA facelift reinvigorates community
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/08/03/when-a-building-…-just-a-building/
Identity gets new platform through RavelUnravel
https://leoadambiga.com/2015/03/20/identity-gets-a-…ugh-ravelunravel/
Where Hope Lives, Hope Center for Kids in North Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/06/04/where-hope-lives…s-in-north-omaha/
Crime and punishment questions still surround 1970 killing that sent Omaha Two to life in prison
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/03/30/crime-and-punish…o-life-in-prison/
A WASP’s racial tightrope resulted in enduring book partially set in 1960s Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2015/10/28/a-wasps-racial-t…t-in-1960s-omaha/
Gabriela Martinez:
A heart for humanity and justice for all
https://leoadambiga.com/2018/03/08/16878
Father Ken Vavrina’s new book “Crossing Bridges” charts his life serving others
https://leoadambiga.com/2015/10/29/father-ken-vavri…e-serving-others/
Wounded Knee still battleground for some per new book by journalist-author Stew Magnuson
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/04/20/wounded-knee-sti…or-stew-magnuson
‘Bless Me, Ultima’: Chicano identity at core of book, movie, movement
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/09/14/bless-me-ultima-…k-movie-movement
Finding Normal: Schalisha Walker’s journey finding normal after foster care sheds light on service needs
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/07/18/finding-normal-s…on-service-needs/
Dick Holland remembered for generous giving and warm friendship that improved organizations and lives
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/02/08/dick-holland-rem…ations-and-lives/
Justice champion Samuel Walker calls It as he sees it
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/05/30/justice-champion…it-as-he-sees-it
![[© Ellen Lake]](https://i0.wp.com/www.crmvet.org/crmpics/64fs_gulfport1.jpg)
Photo caption:
Walker on far left of porch of a Freedom Summer
El Puente: Attempting to bridge divide between grassroots community and the system
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/07/22/el-puente-attemp…y-and-the-system
All Abide: Abide applies holistic approach to building community; Josh Dotzler now heads nonprofit started by his parents
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/12/05/all-abide-abide-…d-by-his-parents/
Making Community: Apostle Vanessa Ward Raises Up Her North Omaha Neighborhood and Builds Community
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/08/13/making-community…builds-community/
Collaboration and diversity matter to Inclusive Communities: Nonprofit teaches tools and skills for valuing human differences
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/05/09/collaboration-an…uman-differences
Talking it out: Inclusive Communities makes hard conversations the featured menu item at Omaha Table Talk
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/05/02/talking-it-out-i…omaha-table-talk/
Everyone’s welcome at Table Talk, where food for thought and sustainable race relations happen over breaking bread together
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/09/16/everyones-welcom…g-bread-together/
Feeding the world, nourishing our neighbors, far and near: Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Omaha nonprofits take on hunger and food insecurity
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/11/22/feeding-the-worl…-food-insecurity
Rabbi Azriel: Legacy as social progressive and interfaith champion secure
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/05/15/rabbi-azriel-leg…-champion-secure
Rabbi Azriel’s neighborhood welcomes all, unlike what he saw on recent Middle East trip; Social justice activist and interfaith advocate optimistic about Tri-Faith campus
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/09/06/rabbi-azriels-ne…tri-faith-campus/
Ferial Pearson, award-winning educator dedicated to inclusion and social justice, helps students publish the stories of their lives
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/08/25/ferial-pearson-a…s-of-their-lives/
Upon This Rock: Husband and Wife Pastors John and Liz Backus Forge Dynamic Ministry Team at Trinity Lutheran
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/02/02/upon-this-rock-h…trinity-lutheran/
Gravitas – Gravity Center for Contemplative Activism founders Christopher and Phileena Heuertz create place of healing for healers
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/04/01/gravitas-gravity…ling-for-healers/
Art imitates life for “Having Our Say” stars, sisters Camille Metoyer Moten and Lanette Metoyer Moore, and their brother Ray Metoyer
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/02/05/art-imitates-lif…ther-ray-metoyer
Color-blind love:
Five interracial couples share their stories
https://leoadambiga.com/2014/02/06/color-blind-love…re-their-stories
A Decent House for Everyone: Jesuit Brother Mike Wilmot builds affordable homes for the working poor through Gesu Housing
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/09/09/a-decent-house-f…ugh-gesu-housing
Bro. Mike Wilmot and Gesu Housing: Building Neighborhoods and Community, One House at a Time
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/04/27/bro-mike-wilmot-…-house-at-a-time/
Civil rights veteran Tommie Wilson still fighting the good fight
https://leoadambiga.com/2015/05/07/civil-rights-vet…g-the-good-fight
Rev. Everett Reynolds Gave Voice to the Voiceless
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/07/18/rev-everett-reyn…to-the-voiceless/
Lela Knox Shanks: Woman of conscience, advocate for change, civil rights and social justice champion
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/08/04/lela-knox-shanks…ocate-for-change
Omahans recall historic 1963 march on Washington
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/08/12/omahans-recall-h…ch-on-washington
Psychiatrist-Public Health Educator Mindy Thompson Fullilove Maps the Root Causes of America’s Inner City Decline and Paths to Restoration
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/07/04/psychiatrist-pub…s-to-restoration/
A force of nature named Evie:
Still a maverick social justice advocate at 100
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/06/16/a-force-of-natur…e-advocate-at-99
Home is where the heart Is for activist attorney Rita Melgares
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/07/20/home-is-where-th…ey-rita-melgares/
Free Radical Ernie Chambers subject of new biography by author Tekla Agbala Ali Johnson
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/12/05/free-radical-ern…bala-ali-johnson
Carolina Quezada leading rebound of Latino Center of the Midlands
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/05/03/carolina-quezada…-of-the-midlands/
Returning To Society: New community collaboration, research and federal funding fight to hold the costs of criminal recidivism down
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/07/02/returning-to-soc…-recidivism-down
Getting Straight: Compassion in Action expands work serving men, women and children touched by the judicial and penal system
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/05/22/getting-straight…and-penal-system
OneWorld Community Health: Caring, affordable services for a multicultural world in need
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/04/09/oneworld-communi…al-world-in-need
Dick Holland responds to far-reaching needs in Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/06/04/dick-holland-res…g-needs-in-omaha/
Gender equity in sports has come a long way, baby; Title IX activists-advocates who fought for change see much progress and the need for more
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/06/11/gender-equity-in…he-need-for-more/
Giving kids a fighting chance: Carl Washington and his CW Boxing Club and Youth Resource Center
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/12/03/giving-kids-a-fi…-resource-center/
Beto’s way: Gang intervention specialist tries a little tenderness
http://leoadambiga.com/2015/10/28/betos-way-gang-i…ittle-tenderness/
Saving one kid at a time is Beto’s life work
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/01/24/saving-one-kid-a…-betos-life-work
Community trumps gang in Fr. Greg Boyle’s Homeboy model
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/07/21/community-trumps…es-homeboy-model/
Born again ex-gangbanger and pugilist, now minister, Servando Perales makes Victory Boxing Club his mission church for saving youth from the streets
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/12/19/born-again-ex-ga…from-the-streets/
Turning kids away from gangs and toward teams in South Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/07/17/turning-kids-awa…s-in-south-omaha/
“Paco” proves you can come home again
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/04/09/paco-proves-you-…-come-home-again
Beto reaching out to kids, ©d2center.org
Two graduating seniors fired by dreams and memories, also saddened by closing of school, St. Peter Claver Cristo Rey High
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/05/11/two-graduating-s…igh-in-omaha-neb/
St. Peter Claver Cristo Rey High: A school where dreams matriculate
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/08/29/st-peter-claver-…eams-matriculate/
Open Invitation: Rev. Tom Fangman engages all who seek or need at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/01/09/an-open-invitati…-catholic-church/
Outward Bound Omaha uses experiential education to challenge and inspire youth
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/04/26/outward-bound-om…nd-inspire-youth
After steep decline, the Wesley House rises under Paul Bryant to become youth academy of excellence in the inner city
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/08/27/after-a-steep-de…n-the-inner-city
Freedom riders: A get on the bus inauguration diary
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/10/21/get-on-the-bus-a…-ride-to-freedom/
The Great Migration comes home: Deep South exiles living in Omaha participated in the movement author Isabel Wilkerson writes about in her book, “The Warmth of Other Suns”
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/03/31/the-great-migrat…th-of-other-suns/
When New Horizons dawned for African-Americans seeking homes in Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2013/01/17/when-new-horizon…ericans-in-omaha/
Good Shepherds of North Omaha: Ministers and churches making a difference in area of great need
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/07/04/the-shepherds-of…ea-of-great-need
Academy Award-nominated documentary “A Time for Burning” captured church and community struggle with racism
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/12/15/a-time-for-burni…ggle-with-racism/
Letting 1,000 Flowers Bloom: The Black Scholar’s Robert Chrisman Looks Back at a Life in the Maelstrom
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/03/08/letting-1000-flo…in-the-maelstrom
Coloring History:
A long, hard road for UNO Black Studies
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/08/25/coloring-history…no-black-studies
Two Part Series: After Decades of Walking Behind to Freedom, Omaha’s African-American Community Tries Picking Up the Pace Through Self-Empowered Networking
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/02/13/two-part-series-…wered-networking
Power Players, Ben Gray and Other Omaha African-American Leaders Try Improvement Through Self-Empowered Networking
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/07/09/power-players-be…wered-networking/
Native Omahans Take Stock of the African-American Experience in Their Hometown
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/07/04/native-omahans-t…n-their-hometown
Overarching plan for North Omaha development now in place: Disinvested community hopeful long promised change follows
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/07/29/overarching-plan…d-change-follows/
Standing on Faith, Sadie Bankston Continues One-Woman Vigil for Homicide Victim Families
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/08/29/standing-on-fait…-victim-families/
Forget Me Not Memorial Wall
North Omaha champion Frank Brown fights the good fight
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/01/15/north-omaha-cham…s-the-good-fight/
Man on fire: Activist Ben Gray’s flame burns bright
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/09/02/ben-gray-man-on-fire/
Strong, Smart and Bold, A Girls Inc. Success Story
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/08/29/strong-smart-and…-girls-inc-story
What happens to a dream deferred?
John Beasley Theater revisits Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/06/14/what-happens-to-…aisin-in-the-sun
Brown v. Board of Education:
Educate with an Even Hand and Carry a Big Stick
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/07/07/brown-v-board-of…arry-a-big-stick/
Fast times at Omaha’s Liberty Elementary: Evolution of a school
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/07/05/fast-times-at-om…tion-of-a-school/
New school ringing in Liberty for students
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/06/06/new-school-ringi…rty-for-students
Nancy Oberst: Pied Piper of Liberty Elementary School
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/09/06/nancy-oberst-the…lementary-school/
Tender Mercies Minister to Omaha’s Poverty Stricken
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/05/31/tender-mercies-m…poverty-stricken/
Community and coffee at Omaha’s Perk Avenue Cafe
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/06/04/community-and-co…perk-avenue-cafe/
Whatsoever You Do to the Least of My Brothers, that You Do Unto Me: Mike Saklar and the Siena/Francis House Provide Tender Mercies to the Homeless
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/08/01/whatsoever-you-d…t-you-do-unto-me/
Gimme Shelter: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Offers a Haven for Searchers
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/05/31/gimme-shelter-sa…en-for-searchers
UNO wrestling dynasty built on tide of social change
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/03/17/uno-wrestling-dy…-social-change-2
A brief history of Omaha’s civil rights struggle distilled in black and white by photographer Rudy Smith
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/05/02/a-brief-history-…apher-rudy-smith/
Hidden In plain view: Rudy Smith’s camera and memory fix on critical time in struggle for equality
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/08/29/hidden-in-plain-…gle-for-equality/
Small but mighty group proves harmony can be forged amidst differences
https://leoadambiga.com/2016/11/14/small-but-mighty…idst-differences/
Winners Circle: Couple’s journey of self-discovery ends up helping thousands of at-risk kids through early intervention educational program
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/05/31/couples-journey-…-of-at-risk-kids
A Mentoring We Will Go
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/06/18/a-mentoring-we-will-go
Abe Sass: A mensch for all seasons
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/05/02/abe-sass-a-mensch-for-all-seasons
Shirley Goldstein: Cream of the Crop – one woman’s remarkable journey in the Free Soviet Jewry movement
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/09/05/shirley-goldstei…t-jewry-movement/
Flanagan-Monsky example of social justice and interfaith harmony still shows the way seven decades later
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/05/31/flanagan-monsky-…y-60-years-later/
A Contrary Path to Social Justice: The De Porres Club and the fight for equality in Omaha
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/05/01/a-contrary-path-…quality-in-omaha/
Hey, you, get off of my cloud! Doug Paterson is acolyte of Theatre of the Oppressed founder Augusto Boal and advocate of art as social action
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/06/03/hey-you-get-off-…as-social-action/
Doing time on death row: Creighton University theater gives life to “Dead Man Walking”
https://leoadambiga.com/2012/01/10/doing-time-on-de…dead-man-walking/
“Walking Behind to Freedom” – A musical theater examination of race
https://leoadambiga.com/2011/06/21/walking-behind-t…mination-of-race/
Bertha’s Battle: Bertha Calloway, the Grand Lady of Lake Street, struggles to keep the Great Plains Black History Museum afloat
https://leoadambiga.com/2010/05/11/berthas-battle
Leonard Thiessen social justice triptych deserves wider audience
https://leoadambiga.com/2017/01/21/leonard-thiessen…s-wider-audience/
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Meanwhile, a new North O is rising up, most visibly with the $88 million Highlander purpose-built village on North 30th Street and the $90 million Metropolitan Community College trio of buildings running along 30th from Sorenson Parkway to Fort Street. On the historic corner of 24th and Lake, a multi-million dollar renovation of the Blue Lion Center has made it the new home of the Union for Contemporary Art. The nearby North 24th Fair Deal Village Marketplace has added a restaurant and grocery store and given micro businesses an innovative home via corrugated shipping containers. At 26th and Lake, a century-old streetcar barn has been saved from demolition and will house a jobs-generating new owner.
Leo Adam Biga's My Inside Stories 