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Diana Rogel: A life of service
Diana Rogel: A life of service
©by Leo Adam Biga
Originally published in El Perico (el-perico.com)
Diana Rogel
In the calling she feels to serve others, Diana Rogel of Omaha often addresses community needs.
“I feel like that is my reason for being here,” she said.
Rogel’s done tobacco prevention education in minority communities through UNMC’s Center for Reducing Health Disparities, She’s trained facilitators to dialogue with Latinos on sexual identity issues for a National Human Rights Campaign project, As ßLead Navigator-Program Specialist with the Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership, she informed underserved groups about affordable healthcare options.
Now, as Student Advocate with the Latino Center of the Midlands, she’s working with Ralston Public Schools in the Pathways to Success Program.
“I am part of an organization and a program that wants to be that bridge for students to use to get to the next level,” she said of her LCM position. “I am a mentor to students at Ralston High School. For me the absolute most important thing is that youth feel like there are people that care about them and will advocate for them.”
Growing up, Rogel didn’t seriously consider college since she didn’t see other Latinas following that path. That changed when an adult in her life encouraged her to try. It’s what she now does for youths.
“I get to work with students that may not (otherwise) see people that look like me at school. I think representation is very important for students – to see that people like them can be successful. I don’t necessarily just serve Latino students. I serve all types of students who may feel disconnected. As an adult mentor looking out for them, I create that sense of belonging and as a woman of color, I say, ‘Look, I’m successful, you can be, too.'”
Making a difference motivates her.
“Leaving things better than how I found them really satisfies me. I know I did a good job when I’m able to connect people and those relationships build and people utilizd services because of some part that I played.”
Many community projects she initially spearheaded continue going strong today, including outreach efforts at OneWorld Community Health Centers and the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition.
“It’s really comforting to have projects be taken up by organizations. Then I can go onto my next thing knowing it’s in good hands.
“I’m always working on the next thing, the next project.”
The University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate recently enhanced her professional development as a New Leaders Council Leadership Institute fellow.
“The Institute looks for people in the community making an impact. We learned how to be better directors and supports of nonprofits and even to create more opportunities for others to lead, to follow and to mentor through entrepreneurship. We learned all these aspects that create progressive values and communities.
“We each took on a capstone project to implement in the community and see it through. My capstone is to create a youth conference that helps youth of color identify what their next steps are after high school, whether a four-year university or a two-year certification program or a vocational school. The conference will also get youth connected with resources in the community.”
She also wants to connect young Spanish-speakers to jobs-careers where dual language fluency is in demand.
Rogel’s working with LCM and partners to make the conference a reality in 2019.
“If I see a gap where things aren’t in place for youth to be successful, then I want to be a part of creating that for them. I take that to heart,” said the mother of two, “because if I pave the road for them, then when I’m old and gray they’re going to look out for me.”
A decade ago she noted Omaha lacked a young professionals network for Latinos, so she co-founded the Metro Young Latino Professionals Association.
“I took great pride in being able to form that group because we didn’t have anything like it and we had to create it from scratch. It has a huge membership today.”
This daughter of immigrant parents (her mother’s from Mexico and her father’s from El Salvador) grew up in Los Angeles. At 19 she moved to Omaha to be near her godmother and to pursue higher education.
“I really had a passion to learn more about my own culture and history. I helped reactivate the Latino student association on campus (UNO). My involvement got me noticed by the Office of Latino and Latin American Studies – OLLAS. I pretty much got recruited to be a part of that program.”
While a UNO student she worked as an OLLAS intern, went on a service learning trip to Peru and did field studies among Latinos in rural Nebraska communities.
“It made me realize the only way to help my community is to learn about it and to be a resource. That’s what I sought to do once I graduated – to build bridges and to get connected.”
Her role models include fellow Latinas Lourdes Gouveia, the former director of OLLAS, and community activist Marta Nieves.
Through Gouveia, Rogel said, “i’ve learned how to have tough conversations with people who feel disenfranchised and discriminated against.” Rogel said she’s inspired by the leadership Nieves shows and her ability “to bring people together.”
Rogel serves on the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Latinix Caucus board.
“Once I’m a little bit guided. I just take it and run.”
Looking ahead, she said, “I do see myself continuing to serve where I see gaps. I also see myself running a nonprofit that develops skills for youth, particularly in language.”
Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com.
Marta Nieves: Woman with a purpose
Marta Nieves: Woman with a purpose
©by Leo Adam Biga
Originally published in El Perico (el-perico.com)
Community advocate and organizational development expert Marta Nieves, 81, nearly always finds the silver lining.
“I’m a visionary. I can envision so many positive things,” said Nieves.
The bilingual Nieves has family roots in Cuba. Born in Tampa, Florida, she grew up in New York City, where she learned life lessons from her grandmother Theresa.
“Her philosophy has really impacted me,” Nieves said. “She was very open and thought everybody is worthy of being treated with dignity if they are honest and respectful. The word spread to anybody coming from Cuba, ‘Go to Theresa’s house and she will give you a good meal and be supportive.'”
Nieves comes from a strong line of women.
“The women in my family were brilliant but they didn’t get far in school. If they had the opportunities I had, they’d be in the history books. I said, ‘It’s not going to be that way for me or for my kids.’ I was the first one in my family to go to college. I’ve been a determined person my whole life and I’m not going to change now.”
Her family moved from Tampa to escape discrimination. NYC’s melting pot shaped her life.
“I’m very grateful I grew up in a multicultural environment. That diversity’s helped me to get along with many different kinds of people. I’ve developed a natural trust of people. That belief has held me in very good stead my entire life. I make a choice to set aside any preconceived notions.”
Before pursuing higher ed, she used her hand-arts skills.
“I went through the Central Needle Trades High School in New York. I got placed in one of the better (fashion) houses when I graduated but then I got married and moved to Washington D.C. I’ve always been a doer, so I went to work at a milliner shop in Maryland.”
She moved with her career U.S. Air Force husband from station to station, including Ankara, Turkey, the Philippines and Great Falls, Montana. When, in 1969, they moved to Bellevue for his final post at SAC headquarters the couple had four kids. Upon his retirement, they made Nebraska home.
Through all her travels and experiences, she’s never wavered from core beliefs.
“I care about what happens to people. I have an undergraduate in psychology and a master’s in social work. I chose social work specifically because it gives me many avenues to work on the positive side of things. A lot of social workers try to fix problems. My philosophy is you need to do prevention so the problem doesn’t arise in the first place. The different organizations I have worked with all have prevention in mind.
“If I can make the world a better place for others, it’s making it a better place for me and my family.”
Though she’s mostly worked with nonprofits, she enjoyed an 11-year career at United Healthcare, where she guided “culture change.”
“I still run into people who tell me they never found another work environment like we had there.”
For the national Girl Scouts council she helped develop programs that allowed Latino employees to increase their educational attainment and get promoted. One program enabled her to finish college and become local girl scouts program director.
She’s taught cultural competency, change management, conflict resolution and team work for many groups. She facilitates enhanced interpersonal relationships within organizations. Clients learn to identify biases and negative attitudes and to adopt positive mindsets.
“A big part of the work I’ve done in all these organizations is build self-awareness. The decision making is up to the person. but the self-awareness has to be there or nothing changes.
“I’m a systems person. If I have a vision and can gather people around me to share that vision, it’s amazing what can happen. You can’t tell me something can’t be done because I’ve done things people said couldn’t be done. I’m a problem-solver.”
She balanced her consulting work with Nebraska Democratic Party politics. She helped form and chaired the state party’s Latinx Caucus. At the last state convention, she passed the torch to others.
“I’m so proud of the new Latinx Caucus team,” Nieves said. “They are a dynamite group.”
She’s paved the way for more Latino involvement in the party as volunteers, voters and candidates.
But these are hard times for her party.
“We’re battling two things: the fatigue people feel because of this president and the tremendous divide.”
Nieves wants people to know their voice matters and they can make the change they want by voting.
She mentors young Latinos she views as future leaders through Latinas Unidas and other groups.
“We have so much talent in the Latino community. Lots get recognized but not enough. They don’t always have the connections. The key thing is that you see the opportunity. Latino people are very humble people as a rule. That sometimes makes it difficult to navigate this competitive environment and fight for what you want.”
“It’s important emerging leaders get on track, meet the right people, so they can blossom to their full potential. I’m always keeping my eyes open for possibilities to enhance other people’s lives. That’s my legacy.”
Her children and grandchildren are also her legacy. The opportunities given her have benefited her family.
“It’s a true gift. I feel we have been given so much I have a responsibility to contribute, so I want to pay it forward. That’s the story of my life. I want to see people happy and fulfilled. It’s such a joy when that happens.”
Her human relations and civic engagement work has netted her many honors and awards.
The energetic Nieves vows, “I will continue to mentor, support, empower and encourage. It’s a passion.”
Follow Marta on Facebook.
Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com.
Life Itself XVI: Social justice, civil rights, human services, human rights, community development stories
Life Itself XVI:
Social justice, civil rights, human services, human rights, community development stories
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Park Avenue Revitalization and Gentrification: InCommon Focuses on Urban Neighborhood
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Health and healing through culture and community
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Syed Mohiuddin: A pillar of the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha
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Frank LaMere: A good man’s work is never done
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SAFE HARBOR: Activists working to create Omaha Area Sanctuary Network as refuge for undocumented persons in danger of arrest-deportation
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Of Dreamers and doers, and one nation indivisible under…
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History in the making: $65M Tri-Faith Initiative bridges religious, social, political gaps
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A systems approach to addressing food insecurity in North Omaha
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No More Empty Pots Intent on Ending North Omaha Food Desert
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Poverty in Omaha:
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Down and out but not done in Omaha: Documentary surveys the poverty landscape
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Struggles of single moms subject of film and discussion; Local women can relate to living paycheck to paycheck
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Nelson Mandela School Adds Another Building Block to North Omaha’s Future
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Partnership 4 Kids – Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers
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Changing One Life at a Time: Mentoring Takes Center Stage as Individuals and Organizations Make Mentoring Count
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Where Love Resides: Celebrating Ty and Terri Schenzel
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North Omaha: Voices and Visions for Change
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Black Lives Matter: Omaha activists view social movement as platform for advocating-making change
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Change in North Omaha: It’s been a long time coming for northeast Omaha
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Girls Inc. makes big statement with addition to renamed North Omaha center
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NorthStar encourages inner city kids to fly high; Boys-only after-school and summer camp put members through their paces
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Big Mama, Bigger Heart: Serving Up Soul Food and Second Chances
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When a building isn’t just a building: LaFern Williams South YMCA facelift reinvigorates community
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Identity gets new platform through RavelUnravel
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Where Hope Lives, Hope Center for Kids in North Omaha
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Crime and punishment questions still surround 1970 killing that sent Omaha Two to life in prison
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A WASP’s racial tightrope resulted in enduring book partially set in 1960s Omaha
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Gabriela Martinez:
A heart for humanity and justice for all
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Father Ken Vavrina’s new book “Crossing Bridges” charts his life serving others
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Finding Normal: Schalisha Walker’s journey finding normal after foster care sheds light on service needs
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Justice champion Samuel Walker calls It as he sees it
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![[© 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
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Making Community: Apostle Vanessa Ward Raises Up Her North Omaha Neighborhood and Builds Community
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Rabbi Azriel: Legacy as social progressive and interfaith champion secure
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Upon This Rock: Husband and Wife Pastors John and Liz Backus Forge Dynamic Ministry Team at Trinity Lutheran
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Gravitas – Gravity Center for Contemplative Activism founders Christopher and Phileena Heuertz create place of healing for healers
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Color-blind love:
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A Decent House for Everyone: Jesuit Brother Mike Wilmot builds affordable homes for the working poor through Gesu Housing
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Anti-Drug War manifesto documentary frames discussion:
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Documentary shines light on civil rights powerbroker Whitney Young: Producer Bonnie Boswell to discuss film and Young
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Rev. Everett Reynolds Gave Voice to the Voiceless
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Lela Knox Shanks: Woman of conscience, advocate for change, civil rights and social justice champion
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Omahans recall historic 1963 march on Washington
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Psychiatrist-Public Health Educator Mindy Thompson Fullilove Maps the Root Causes of America’s Inner City Decline and Paths to Restoration
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A force of nature named Evie:
Still a maverick social justice advocate at 100
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Home is where the heart Is for activist attorney Rita Melgares
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Free Radical Ernie Chambers subject of new biography by author Tekla Agbala Ali Johnson
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Carolina Quezada leading rebound of Latino Center of the Midlands
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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
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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
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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
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Saving one kid at a time is Beto’s life work
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Community trumps gang in Fr. Greg Boyle’s Homeboy model
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Born again ex-gangbanger and pugilist, now minister, Servando Perales makes Victory Boxing Club his mission church for saving youth from the streets
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Turning kids away from gangs and toward teams in South Omaha
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“Paco” proves you can come home again
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Two graduating seniors fired by dreams and memories, also saddened by closing of school, St. Peter Claver Cristo Rey High
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St. Peter Claver Cristo Rey High: A school where dreams matriculate
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Open Invitation: Rev. Tom Fangman engages all who seek or need at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
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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
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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
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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
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Strong, Smart and Bold, A Girls Inc. Success Story
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What happens to a dream deferred?
John Beasley Theater revisits Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”
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Brown v. Board of Education:
Educate with an Even Hand and Carry a Big Stick
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Fast times at Omaha’s Liberty Elementary: Evolution of a school
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New school ringing in Liberty for students
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Nancy Oberst: Pied Piper of Liberty Elementary School
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Tender Mercies Minister to Omaha’s Poverty Stricken
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Community and coffee at Omaha’s Perk Avenue Cafe
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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
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Gimme Shelter: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Offers a Haven for Searchers
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UNO wrestling dynasty built on tide of social change
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A brief history of Omaha’s civil rights struggle distilled in black and white by photographer Rudy Smith
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Hidden In plain view: Rudy Smith’s camera and memory fix on critical time in struggle for equality
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Small but mighty group proves harmony can be forged amidst differences
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Winners Circle: Couple’s journey of self-discovery ends up helping thousands of at-risk kids through early intervention educational program
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A Mentoring We Will Go
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Abe Sass: A mensch for all seasons
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Shirley Goldstein: Cream of the Crop – one woman’s remarkable journey in the Free Soviet Jewry movement
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Flanagan-Monsky example of social justice and interfaith harmony still shows the way seven decades later
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A Contrary Path to Social Justice: The De Porres Club and the fight for equality in Omaha
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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
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Doing time on death row: Creighton University theater gives life to “Dead Man Walking”
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“Walking Behind to Freedom” – A musical theater examination of race
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Bertha’s Battle: Bertha Calloway, the Grand Lady of Lake Street, struggles to keep the Great Plains Black History Museum afloat
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The Joy of Giving Sets Omaha’s Child Saving Institute on Solid Ground for the Future
Omaha is known as an unusually philanthropic community and the following story for Metro Magazine (www.spiritofomaha.com) charts how a venerable childcare institution found support for a badly needed new building from a circle of dedicated divers and why these well-heeled individuals contributed to the project. The result is that the drab, old and cramped institutional-looking structure was remade into a gleaming, new and expansive showcase. What a difference a few million dollars can make.
The new, redesigned Child Saving Institute
The Joy of Giving Sets Omaha‘s Child Saving Institute on Solid Ground for the Future
©by Leo Adam Biga
Originally published in Metro Magazine (www.spiritofomaha.com)
The Child Saving Institute has a brand spanking new home for its mission of “responding to the cry of a child.” CSI dedicated the new digs at 4545 Dodge St. in March, turning the next chapter in the organization’s 106-year history. The social service agency addresses the needs of at-risk children, youth and families.
The project was made possible by donors who saw the need for a larger, more dynamic, more kidscentric space that better reflected the organization’s expanded services and more comfortably accommodated staff and clients. A $10.7 million campaign secured funds for a complete makeover of the old building, which was stripped to its steel beams, redesigned and enlarged. An endowment was created.
The goal was soon surpassed and by the time the three-year campaign concluded, $12.2 million was raised.
Upon inheriting the former Safeway offices site in 1982 CSI officials knew it was a poor fit for the child care, emergency shelter and adoption programs then constituting the nonprofit’s services. The mostly windowless building was a drab, dreary bunker, its utilitarian interiors devoid of color, light, whimsy, fun.
The two-story structure was sound but lacked such basic amenities as an elevator. The day care and early childhood education classrooms lacked their own restrooms. Limited space forced staff to share offices. Inadequate conference rooms made it difficult for the board of directors and the guild to meet.
The drab, old Child Saving Institute
There were not enough dedicated facilities for counseling/therapeutic sessions. As CSI’s services have broadened to address youth, parenting and family issues, with an emphasis on preventive and early interventive help, more clients come through the doors.
Additionally, the organization’s outdoor playground was cramped and outmoded. Limited parking inconvenienced staff and clients alike.
“We were dissatisfied with the building,” CEO Judy Kay said. “It had at least been 10 years prior even to the decision to build that we knew we needed a different space.” She said CSI once explored new building options but “gave up, because, honestly, we all became so frustrated and we didn’t have the funds to do it.”
Enter philanthropists Dick and Mary Holland. The late Mary Holland was a CSI board member with a passion for the agency and its mission. At his wife’s urging Dick Holland toured the place Mary spoke so glowingly about. Two things happened. His big heart ached when he saw the children craving affection and his bad knees screamed from all the stairs he had to climb.
Holland pestered CSI to install an elevator. One day he and Mary summoned then-CEO Donna Tubach Davis and development director Wanda Gottschalk to a special meeting. “And at that meeting he said, ‘Ladies, it’s time to have an elevator. We’re going to get started on this project,’ and he handed us a very large check. It was for just under $3 million,” Gottschalk recalled.
He wasn’t done giving. After Mary passed CSI remembered her at a board luncheon. Upon accepting a plaque in her memory daughter Amy surprised CSI with a million dollar check from her father.
“I don’t think anybody in the city could hear anything more meaningful to them then to have Dick Holland say I will help you,” said Gottschalk.
Mary and Dick Holland, ©By Debra Joy Groesser
The CSI campus is named after Mary Holland. Dick didn’t want his name anywhere but conceded to the elevator being dubbed, “Dick’s Lift.” RDG Schutte Wilscam Birge’s redesign more than doubled the square footage, opened up the interior to create bright, spacious work areas, added multiple meeting rooms and provided vibrant colors and active play centers. The large lobby is awash in art and light.
CSI can now serve twice the number of children in its day care.
The Hollands’ generous donations launched the building-endowment campaign. A committee of past board presidents set about raising the remaining funds.
“We were very blessed with their help.” Gottschalk said. “These past board presidents obviously also had invested a lot in CSI and cared very deeply about it.”
She said donors become “total advocates” and ambassadors for CSI. As a result, she said, “we were able to raise the $12.2 million with about 30 people.” None of it may have happened, she said, had Holland not taken the trouble to see for himself why his wife was so moved.
“Mary had become an important participant and she got me interested in it,” he said. “Together we began to do whatever we could for the Child Saving Institute. It just became one of the loves of our life. It was a pleasure to work with them and we got all kinds of things done. We saw opportunities to do more things, bigger things, and in a decent environment.”
“He was truly then invested in child saving and what we do here,” Gottschalk said. “The passion that he has for kids just keeps coming through.”
The Hollands’ enthusiasm won over others.
“We got some of our friends interested in it,” he said.
Such links can pay big dividends.
“I think it’s always about the relationships,” Gottschalk said. “It’s a one-on-one relationship. It can be with any one of us on staff. A lot of times those relationships are through board members.”
CSI was delighted when Holland offered to loosen some well-heeled friends’ purse strings. Gottschalk accompanied him. “He’s very powerful. It’s very hard to say no to Dick,” she said. Sometimes the Hollands worked on their own.
“One of the donors asked to meet with just Dick and Mary,” she said. “They walked out of this gentleman’s house with a million dollar check.”
One friend the Hollands turned onto CSI was the late Tom Keogh. The retired architect volunteered there nurturing babies.
“He rocked, he cuddled, he wiped noses. He’d eat with the kids. He was phenomenal,” said CSI Developmental Child Care Director Kathleen Feller.
“It made Tom’s retirement very meaningful,” his wife Rae said.
When a weak immune system dictated Tom avoid the child care area he helped in other ways — filing, stuffing envelopes and serving on the board of directors.
“He also brought with him his architect’s mind,” said Kay, noting that Keogh shared with staff a book he read that urged connecting children to the outdoors. His enthusiasm set in motion a nature playground.
“Tom was very instrumental in helping develop that,” Kay said. “He worked with a young man he had mentored who helped design it.”
The playground became his sweet challenge.
“He solicited in-kind donations from nurseries, irrigation companies sod companies, stone companies,” Rae said.
Nature Explore Classroom at CSI
He didn’t stop there. “Tom went out and raised a lot of money and contributed himself,” Gottschalk said.
Rae said her husband rarely approached others to support his causes but in the case of CSI he did. “It had to be something that he was truly interested in before he would ask anybody else to contribute,” she said.
That same passion got Rae involved, too. Since Tom’s death she’s continued the family’s support.
She said before donating to an organization it’s vital “you get to know what their beliefs are and how they handle things. There’s no replacement for that personal contact.” CSI won the Keoghs over. “We got to know the staff and the operation,” she said. “We were very impressed by how they treated the children. They’re very careful with the care they give. It’s a very warm environment.”
For her, as it was for Tom, giving’s return on investment is priceless: “It’s very simple,” she said, “I think you gain more than you give. The personal joy I receive in giving is important to me.”
Former CSI board member Charles Heider, who contributed to the building-endowment, was long ago sold on the agency. “I saw the mission and how they were carrying out their good work,” he said. “I was impressed by their good management. It’s a very good organization.” When the building campaign got underway he didn’t hesitate.
“I was quick to respond when they asked if I wanted to be involved financially.”
It’s gratifying for him to see CSI realize its building and endowment goals.
“The satisfaction is that they are obviously moving forward. If they weren’t they wouldn’t have the new building,” he said. “The enthusiasm they have with this new facility is very evident. They built a very attractive building.”
Heider said behind the gleaming facade is a track record of substance and service.
“Buildings by themselves don’t satisfy the mission,” he said. “CSI has a marvelous record of assisting young people. My wife and I have enjoyed giving to it.”
The Paul and Oscar Giger Foundation that Janet Acker and her two siblings administer has long supported CSI.
“We’re just a little foundation,” Acker said. “We can’t support everything. We have to pick and choose and do little projects. We fund a lot of programs that affect kids and music. We’ve given pianos away all over Omaha.”
For CSI’s nature playground the foundation donated an outdoor xylophone in memory of Acker’s late aunt, Ruth Musil Giger. The instrument belonged to Giger, who was a piano/organ instructor. “This was a real match with Aunt Ruth’s interests in music,” Acker said.
Previously the foundation supported CSI’s emergency respite center and adoption program. While the foundation’s support can’t compare to the mega gifts of others, Acker said, “You need a lot of little donors to pull off a big project.”
Gottschalk said CSI depends on contributions from “our bread and butter donors” to help fund daily operations. Donors who give a few hundred dollars or even at the $25 or $10 levels are vital, she said, as major funds are often restricted for certain uses. If CSI’s to remain sustainable, she said, a safety net must secure donations of all sizes, from diverse funding streams, year-round.
Everyone has their own reason for giving. What’s the joy of giving for Dick Holland? “Results,” he said. In CSI he sees an organization helping undo the damage some children suffer and an agency needing a new space to further its mission. “We were in a position to put up enough funds to make some of the ideas a reality,” he said. “It’s always great to have ideas but somehow or other somebody has to pay, and pay big, in order to get something done.”
He said he makes his donations public because “I’ve learned I actually influence a few people. I’m sure if somebody hears I’m into a thing big they say, ‘Well, he’s not just playing around.’ I hope it’s true.”
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