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Starting the Year with Issue Cafes!
Mental Health Panel on Feb. 25 Mental Health leaders brought in a panel of mental health agencies and services to begin a conversation about the biggest needs for keeping people with mental illness out of jail. Some of the main issues discussed were lack of or shrinking funding and resources, both from the state and […]
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Mental health emergency services kick off Issue Cafe month at Urban Abbey
Emergency Mental Health Services A panel of speakers spoke about emergency mental health services currently available in the Omaha Metro area and new ones being planned. Some resources shared: Nebraska Medicine Director of Behavioral Health: Dr. David Cates UNMC will be opening a Psychiatric Emergency Service next July. They are currently treating 3,000 psychiatric crisis […]
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June Issue Cafes explore housing, organizing, power generation
Environmental Sustainability with OPPD On June 27, we had our final June issue cafe. 17 people attended to learn about three new OPPD programs: community solar, electrical vehicle rebates, and the low-income energy efficiency pilot. On April 1st, OPPD announced their community solar program that allows you to get affordable solar energy. Solar energy uses […]
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Environmental Sustainability Efforts for Garbage Contract with City Council
*Hopefully* Final Vote on August 27 The City Council is considering new bids from Contractors FCC and West Central Sanitation. OTOC does not have a preference for which company is chosen, but prefers a third year-round cart for yard waste.Contact your city council representative and ask them to ensure no yard waste makes it into […]
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OTOC meets with 9 area senators in anticipation of 2019 Unicameral session
OTOC leaders are meeting with Omaha-area Unicameral senators. In October, we hosted a Candidate Accountability Session for candidates from districts 6, 8, 12, and 20. (Click here to learn more). Those candidates committed to meeting with OTOC leaders to follow up on their commitment to action. Leaders are now following up with the victors from those […]
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225 OTOC leaders meet with Unicameral Candidates from 4 Districts
Over 225 OTOC and community leaders from 25 congregations and community organizations met with 7 candidates for the Nebraska Unicameral on Monday, October 22. OTOC leaders told compelling stories about five issues which they are working on through OTOC Action Teams. They asked candidates for specific commitments on: Adopting a state law requiring rental property […]
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375 leaders get commitments from Congress & OPPD Candidates on September 18
The Omaha World Herald reporter opened his story about the evening by observing: “Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and Democrat Kara Eastman faced questions Monday on immigration, health care and a changing climate in front of a standing room-only crowd of more than 350 people.“ In fact, nearly 400 people signed into the 2018 OTOC Accountability […]
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Organizer Joe Higgs presents at Sustainability Leadership Presentation Series at Metro Community College
Lead Organizer Joe Higgs and Project Intern Greta Carlson spoke as part of the Sustainability Leadership Presentation Series (SLPS) at Metro Community College about how to use organizing for environmental sustainability. Over 100 faculty, staff, and students watched the webinar in universities across the state of Nebraska. The presentation taught about how leaders can use […]
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Urban Abbey events in February encourage Leaders to get politically active
Urban Abbey hosted three different Issue Cafes in the Month of February for OTOC Leaders and community members learn more about relevant issues happening in Omaha. Michael O’Hara from the Sierra Club (pictured left) spoke about the logistics of the city’s upcoming solid waste policy. Why do we need to care about […]
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OTOC officially endorses the Carbon Fee and Dividend plan in response to climate change
OTOC’s Environmental Sustainability Action Team (ESAT) is committed to educating and promoting solutions to climate change. At the September 11, 2017 OTOC Steering Committee Meeting, ESAT presented the Citizens’ Climate Lobby plan for reducing CO2 emissions. It is a plan for federal legislation termed Carbon Fee and Dividend. The Steering Committee came to a consensus […]