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OMAHA STAR
THE
Celebrating 80 Years
Welcome 2019 Yet another chance to get it right. Happy New Year!
1938 2018
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 80 - No. 26 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, December 28, 2018
Senior Companion Program Provides Heroes and Friends
Violet (left) and Lucille
This particular December afternoon was like many others Violet Wooten and Lucille Williams have spent together during the last 10 years. Lucille is a retired hairstylist who for 55 years cut, curled, and colored hair first at the All Nations Barber and Beauty Salon near 24th and Lake streets, and then in her own shop. Violet is a volunteer with the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Senior Companion Program (SCP). Sponsored locally by ENOA, the SCP is a national program of the Corporation for National and Community Service through the Senior Service Corps. Senior Companions – who are age 55 and older – help older adults maintain their independence by visiting them at home to discuss current events, read mail, play cards, write letters, run errands, etc. SCP volunteers must meet income guidelines and complete an enrollment process that includes reference and background checks. In exchange for volunteering 15 or more hours per week, Senior Companions receive a $2.65 an hour tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, an annual physical examination, supplemental accident insurance coverage, and other benefits including an annual recognition luncheon. The stipend does not interfere with rent, disability, Medicaid, or other benefits. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wooten, a retired machine operator for the Lozier Corporation, visits Williams in her home as part of the Senior Companion Program. See Companion continued on page 2
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NAACP Hosts Freedom Fund Banquet The Omaha Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held the 2018 NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet & Holiday Soiree on Dec. 14 at the Omaha Marriott in Regency. This year’s theme “Defeat Hate - VOTE!” is indicative of the stance the Omaha Branch has held over the past 104 years. Community partners, family and friends gathered to recognize the accomplishments of those committed to one of society’s most precious rights - the right to vote. Redditt Hudson, Division and Alternative Sentencing Community Liaison for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, served as the evening’s keynote speaker. From 20122017, he served as NAACP Region IV Field Organizer; Nebraska being one of ten in his jurisdiction. Mr. Hudson’s primary focus is addressing systemic problems in the criminal justice system, abused policy authority, racial justice issues and improving police/ community relations. He challenged everyone to keep the voter momentum. Don’t just register, become educated about the issues and vote. Defeat Hate - VOTE! The 2018 NAACP Awardees
L to R: Chris Carithers, Ann Chalson, Palastene Gray Moore, President Vickie R. Young, Precious McKesson, Somer Young, Preston Love Jr., Othello Meadows
of the evening were: NAACP President’s Award - Preston Love, Jr.; NAACP Freedom Fighter Service Award League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha; NAACP Freedom Fighter Award Precious McKesson; NAACP Community Partner - Chris Carithers; NAACP Youth Excellence - Somer B. Young; NAACP Corporate Award Seventy Five North. The Freedom Fund is the Omaha Branch’s main fundraiser and membership drive. All banquet attendees are now members of the NAACP.
Membership is (and always will be) “the lifeblood of the NAACP.” The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. The vision is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights with discrimination based on race in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and the Constitution.
Hudson
After the Rain, Snow and Sleet… 8th Annual Christmas In The Village Another Big Success (Reprinted with permission from Revive! Omaha Magazine) Smiles, hugs, laughs, music, food, shopping and a camel were all in plentiful supply as the Christmas season officially kicked off in North Omaha. Shontel Wells brought her son to the Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake for the first time when he was just three months old. “He’s now eight and this is a tradition for our family,” she said. “It’s an awesome celebration and we will be here every year.” Hearing this is music to the ears of founders from the Empowerment Network, Vicki Quaites-Ferris, Director
of Operations and Willie Barney, President. The event now in its 8th year is achieving what organizers set out to do. Vicki Quaites-Ferris, a native of North Omaha, has an extraordinary passion for making the holiday event a success. As the lead event manager for the holiday celebration which now includes over 100 businesses and organizations, she sees the importance of hosting the event at 24th and Lake. “When I was younger, we would go to downtown Omaha with the whole family to visit the stores, see Santa, look at the window displays and shop,” said Quaites-Ferris. “It was a wonderful time as a kid and now we have the opportunity to create these
Condors Drum Corps Team
Celebrate safe on New Year’s Eve!!!
types of memories right here in our own neighborhood.” Quaites-Ferris added, “It also allows us to highlight the positive developments, venues and opportunities here in the reemerging arts, culture, entertainment and business district.” In previous years, the event has attracted as many as 5,000 visitors when the weather was over 50 degrees. This year, early morning weather including sleet, rain and snow, had an impact on attendance, but certainly didn’t stop the community from enjoying the activities. Even with the temperature in the 30s, internal tracking show thousands of children and families still came out to participate. “Wow, we still had nearly 1,000 visitors at the North Omaha Holiday Boutique alone,” said Aisha Conner, office assistant and project manager at the Empowerment Network. “Vendors reported doing very well and we were greatly appreciative of the shoppers [who] came out to support these amazing businesses. A few vendors almost sold out of merchandise and our youth entrepreneurs had a great day as well.” Most of the activities during Christmas in the Village occur inside buildings and enclosed, heated tents. Omaha Economic Development Corporation hosted three tents where they, the Omaha NAACP and others gave away free gloves, small gifts and snacks and visitors could see cartoon characters and watch a communityproduced play. The Fair Deal Village Marketplace including Emery’s Café,
Santa and Horse
Shops and Neighborhood Market celebrated the two year anniversary of its opening with special offers from each store. “We had a constant flow of customers all day,” reported Diamond Simms, owner of Emery’s Café. “It was our first Christmas in the Village and it generated great business for us.” The event has a very Police passing out candy canes at CITV 2018 positive impact on the other live animals. They also had their businesses, but makes an even greater hands full with red bags packed with impression on the kids. They could be plenty of free items. Various partners seen with big smiles as they completed provided free small gifts, toys and arts and crafts projects, decorated See Christmas in the Village ornaments and visited the camel and continued on page 2
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne
Resolve to be the best you in 2019!