metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha
www.ready2serveomaha.org
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CONNECTING
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PROFILE
“YP” ORGANIZATION PROFILE
oppd
hetra
young professtionals group
CONTACT JAN DOIELL JAN@HETRA.ORG
CONTACT KEVIN FUSTOS YPG@OPPD.COM
THE OMAHA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP (OPPD YPG) provides opportunities for professional, philanthropic and network development to its members. The orgranization is made up of OPPD employees of the next generation who represent diverse backgrounds and professions. Employees who work for the District in the field, in its power plants, offices and elsewhere actively participate. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT has always been important to OPPD, and it provides a great way to extend networks for young professionals. The OPPD YPG intends to continue that tradition and encourages its members to get involved. The OPPD YPG has participated in “build” days for Habitat for Humanity, maintaining a strong tie with the Habitat for Humanity YP group. Through Rebuilding Together, the OPPD YPG helped a family make needed repairs to its home. Also, two of OPPD YPG members are currently organizing a day for the upcoming Omaha Diversity Week. THE OPPD YPG PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE both in attracting future workers to OPPD and retaining talented young individuals already on staff. The YPG creates programs that cater to employees just beginning their careers and helps to develop exciting work communities.
THE HEARTLAND EQUINE THERAPEUTIC RIDING ACADEMY IS A 501(C) (3) ORGANIZATION with facilities located in Omaha and Valley. HETRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life both physically and emotionally for adults and children with disabilities through equine assisted activities. HETRA staff, horses and volunteers work as a team to challenge students in reaching their goals. HETRA serves students ranging in age from three to adult with various disabilities. Students leave behind wheelchairs and crutches to mount a horse and take strides they would otherwise not be able to take on their own. Because a horse’s gait is similar to the human walk, the movement of the horse generates responses in the students that are similar to and essential for walking. The horse’s rhythmic, repetitive movements work to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, strength, flexibility and cognitive skills. In addition, interaction with the horse and volunteers fosters selfconfidence and motivation. HETRA RELIES ON VOLUNTEERS to complete a successful session. Assistance is needed to lead horses and walk with students while riding. Volunteers are also appreciated during special events and for grounds maintenance. For more information on becoming a student or volunteer opportunities, call 402-359-8830 or www.HETRA.org.
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
athena ramos I AM ONE OF THE MOST PASSIONATE PEOPLE I KNOW. I like to live intensely; therefore, I get involved in a number of community activities and organizations. Currently, I serve as the President of the Board of Directors for the Heartland Latino Leadership Conference (HLLC). The mission of the HLLC is to offer opportunities for Latinos to develop the skills, awareness and networks to become empowered leaders and catalysts for positive change in their communities. Every year, we host an annual conference which attracts over 500 Latino and non-Latino professionals. This year, the conference will be held on November 12, 2010 at the Embassy Suites in La Vista. I’d encourage all to come to the conference. Additionally, this year we are also adding a couple of events prior to the conference which includes a Hispanic health learning event, “Say What? Communicating with Non-English Speaking Patients: It’s Critical” on June 15, 2010 at Nomad Lounge from 6-8PM in collaboration with UNMC, Deloitte, and the Nebraska Association of Translators and Interpreters. We are also working 17
program coordinator UNMC COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH
together with MYLPA, the Metro Young Latino Professionals Association, to host a Young Professionals Networking event in September 2010. I love to be involved in the arts and I have a unique passion for the Latino community. I serve on the Board of Directors for Justice for Our Neighbors, a legal immigration education, service and advocacy organization; Teatro Arete, a Spanish-language theater company; Nebraska Minority Public Health Association and the Omaha City Parks & Recreation Board. I get involved with organizations where I truly believe that I can make a difference – where I can bring new ideas, energy and diversity to the activities that organization does and seeks to do. Being active in the community for me is a way to live what I believe in. I think we have a duty and responsibility to leave this world a little better than when we found it. Volunteering is a way I can teach this value to my children through example. By being involved, I am also able to learn, develop and cultivate new skills, ideas and interests that I may not have had the opportunity to do otherwise. For me, many times being involved offers an outlet for my creativity, and I get much pleasure from being able to share this with organizations. Previously, I have served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Omaha Young Professionals, the Neighborhood Center, the Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC) and the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance. metroMAGAZINE • AUG 2010