Serving over 2,000 girls through its centers and outreach programs, Girls Inc. provides transportation from more than 50 schools in the Omaha area. Girls Inc.’s programs cultivate learning and skill development in the areas of academic support and enrichment; career and life planning; self-reliance and life skills; health and wellness; leadership and community action; and culture and heritage.

The Douglas County Historical Society is based out of the General Crook House (a restored Victorian-era officer’s mansion on the historic Fort Omaha Metro Community College campus). They curate an annual exhibit, and this year’s is titled Rooted in Diversity: Douglas County Ethnic Heritage. It’s an examination and celebration of the various ethnic groups who have shaped Douglas County and continue to define it today. For the holiday season this year, they are transforming the entire house into a parallel exhibit on holiday traditions around the world.

About 1,200 tech jobs are open in Omaha today, highlighting why a shortage of tech workers is one of the biggest challenges facing employers. Nearly every job today requires some level of technical skill. Those skills can be acquired at the AIM Institute, and for some people, at low to no cost.

The Ollie Webb Center, Inc. (https://www.olliewebbinc.org/) is named to honor the memory of Ms. Ollie Webb. Ollie Webb was a woman with a national reputation as a spokesperson for self-advocacy. She was a former resident of the Beatrice State Home, a homeowner, a landlady, and a retiree from a career in food services at the Omaha Field Club. She was a founding member of Project II, a social, continuing education and self-advocacy program for adults with developmental disabilities. The Ollie Webb Center, Inc’s name honors a life well-lived in spite of unique challenges and reminds us that people should be known by their names and accomplishments, not by their disabilities.

There are many men and women who bravely and faithfully served this country. And they need our help. Homelessness among military veterans is nearly an epidemic.

Guest conductor Maestra JoAnn Falletta takes the helm of the Omaha Symphony for a Respighi double feature! This Multiple Grammy Award winning conductor has been named one of the 50 Best Conductor’s by Gramophone Magazine, and makes her return to the Omaha Symphony on Friday and Saturday this week (29th and 30th).

The Women’s Fund of Omaha addresses gender-based inequities in our community through collaboration that identifies, researches and creates solutions to advance, educate and fund lasting impact. There are four pillars of action - Economic Security, Freedom from Violence, Sexual Literacy (In Douglas County, rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among young people ages 15 to 24 are notably higher than they are in the state of Nebraska—or even nationwide!), and Women in Leadership.

The first Pops concert of the Omaha Symphony’s season is this weekend, Saturday (23rd) and Sunday (24th) at the Holland Center. Maestro Ernest Richardson is conducting the show which is called “The Streisand Songbook” with Ann Hampton Callaway. It is a celebration of the music of the great Barbara Streisand.

Attendance is critical for student success. Across Omaha Public Schools, families are encouraged to #StriveFor95, which means attending school on time at least 95% of school days.

Award-winning, seasoned journalist and Omaha Central alum Matt Wynn is also the Executive Director of the Flatwater Free Press. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.