Uncategorized – Omaha Together One Community

OTOC wins award for Outstanding Grassroots Organizing from Nebraska Appleseed

by otocorg / On October 14, 2019 / In Uncategorized

On Thursday, October 10, 2019, OTOC leaders were awarded the Roots of Justice awards at the Nebraska Appleseed Good Apple Awards. The joyous night was filled with good food, inspiring award winners, and lots of smiles and laughter. Thank you, Nebraska Appleseed to recognizing the long rooted work of OTOC in our community. Read more here Thank you, OTOC for decades of work and change! You deserve...

OTOC Leaders testify against delays and complications of Medicaid

by otocorg / On September 29, 2019 / In Medicaid Expansion and State Tax Policy, Uncategorized

On Friday, Sept. 20, eight OTOC leaders traveled to Lincoln and participated in an action to express disapproval of the 1115 waiver filed by the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). It substantially changes the law providing for Medicaid expansion in Nebraska that was passed by the voters as Initiative 427. A press conference, organized by Nebraska Appleseed, was held before...

OTOC Asks the City Council to Fund More Housing Inspectors in 2020 Budget

by otocorg / On July 25, 2019 / In Housing and Revitalization, Uncategorized

OTOC Housing Leaders and Coalition Members Testify at the City Council Budget Hearing Nine of the 19 speakers at the Omaha City Budget Hearing testified for more inspectors and proper funding for implementation of the new Rental Housing Registration and Inspection Ordinance passed in April of this year. In the Omaha World Herald: Advocates want more money in city budget for housing inspectors and...

October Organizing Training

by otocorg / On July 17, 2019 / In Uncategorized

Upcoming Training Opportunity IPL and OTOC will host a 3-Day Organizing Training in October for an intensive weekend led by organizers from around the country. Join us October 17-19 (Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon) at First United Methodist Church (7020 Cass St.) Thursday 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM; Friday 9 AM – 7 PM; Saturday 9 AM – 12 PM Do you want to learn effective organizing...

June Issue Cafes explore housing, organizing, power generation

by otocorg / On June 30, 2019 / In Environmental Sustainability, Housing and Revitalization, Uncategorized

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 light from the sun to create energy,...

Spanish Leadership Formation

by otocorg / On June 24, 2019 / In Uncategorized

80 Hispanic leaders from more than 21 different institutions gathered for a two-day leadership formation on June 21 and June 22. Sponsored by the Institute for Public Leadership, Omaha Together One Community, Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Inter-faith Education Fund, these participants learned how to connect one’s faith to relational organizing practices. The leadership curriculum...

Relationship buildings aids passage of American Dream and Promise Act in House

by otocorg / On June 5, 2019 / In Immigration and Refugee Support, Uncategorized

The American Dream and Promise Act, H.R. 6, passed in the House of Representatives on June 4 The bill passed with a 237-187 vote. Only seven republicans supported the bill, including our Omaha-area representative, Don Bacon. OTOC and TPS leaders have continually met with him, attended town halls, and called countless times to build a relationship with him, have him get to know the TPS recipients...

Environmental Sustainability Efforts for Garbage Contract with City Council

by otocorg / On April 24, 2019 / In Environmental Sustainability, Uncategorized

*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 the landfill. Pete Festersen: Pete.Festersen@cityofomaha.org ...

IPL & OTOC Leaders collaborate with the National TPS Alliance of Nebraska at First United Methodist Church-Omaha

by otocorg / On April 10, 2019 / In Immigration and Refugee Support, Uncategorized

IPL & OTOC Leaders collaborated with The National TPS Alliance of Nebraska Saturday April 6th for a bilingual workshop at First United Methodist Church. The event hosted over 75 people who were inspired by live testimonies of real TPS holders. Temporary Protected Status is an immigration status given to those who can not return to their countries of origins due to arm conflicts, natural...

City Council voted for Proactive Inspection Policy

by otocorg / On April 4, 2019 / In Housing and Revitalization, Uncategorized

April 9 City Council Vote-City Council Passes Ordinance for Proactive Rental Inspections but Mayor Stothert Promises VETO City Council voted 4-3 for a proactive rental inspection system that would start in 2020. They passed "Amendment C" proposed by Gray, Jerram, and Festeresen. This ordinance will require all properties to register, and begin a 10-year cycle of proactive inspections in...