Community Connecting Through Conversations

Join us as our host, Esmeralda Acosta talks with David Pollock, founder of Code Black Inc. to hear about their mission that is, "committed to helping our community become equipped, empowered, and connected. Equipped for their professional role, empowered to become thought leaders, and become connected to us and other supportive communities."

Make sure to register for their upcoming July workshop at Code Black Training Opportunities - Code Black Tech Community

Code Black & Project OCTEIN (I.T. Fundamentals Course) Interest Form (office.com)

Just Tuning In? Listen to this midway recap of who and what has been shared on Community Connecting through Conversation.

Crystal meets with Tony Vargas on this episode to get to know his background and his journey to become a Nebraska State Senator.

Host Crystal Rush Cardenas discusses with Greg Gonzalez about his South Omaha roots and community involvement.

Crystal meets with Don Bacon on this episode to get to know him as a family man and Congressman.

Listen to our host Crystal Cardenas interview D2 Center's Evelia Gutierrez. The D2's mission is to connect out-of-school and disengaged youth ages fifteen to twenty-one into an educational pathway. Their Annual Report shared, "1000+ students were served over the past five years in the Omaha Public Schools (OPS)/D2 Center Reengagement Project where D2 Center staff members are completing outreach with dropout youth in partnership with OPS."

hhttps://www.d2center.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2020-21D2Center_AnnualReport.pdf

In honor of National Donate Life Month today, Diana Rogel from Live On Nebraska joins us to discuss the importance of registering as an organ and tissue donor. She explains that we can help end the wait for the more than 100,000 people waiting for a transplant. Today and for the rest of April we celebrate those who have received transplants, recognize those who continue to wait, honor donors and donor families, and thank registered donors for giving hope.

Remember the DMV is not the only place to register, you can also register by visiting https://liveonnebraska.org/register/. If you have any questions regarding donation and anything it involves, she invites us to call Live on Nebraska at 402. 733.1800. (Pictured from left to right are, RaSha (Surgical Services Coordinator, Malcolm Robbins (Heart Recipient) and Diana Rogel (Diversity Outreach and Engagement Coordinator), and Mr. Eulish Moore (Heart Recipient and Ambassador of Heart Transplant)).

This episode brings Monica Meier, Director of Social Work at the Immigrant Legal Center, to share about their pro bono immigration legal services and additional services that unaccompanied children as well as their family sponsors need for healthy integration to Nebraska communities.

This episode gives listeners insight into the exciting work happening at Omaha/Council Bluffs Bridges Out of Poverty, including the Getting Ahead series. Charles Kaup, Community Partnerships Coordinator tells us about Bridges. Their mission is empowering under-resourced families by discovering and overcoming barriers to success.

Fun Fact: Dr. Logan is fluent in Spanish! Listen to this episode of Community Connecting through Conversation to learn more about Omaha Public Schools and Dr. Cheryl Logan along with your host Crystal Cardenas.