Who We Are

We believe in direct advocacy working alongside marginalized communities

An Intersectional Community

Stand in for Nebraska’s Community Organizing Leadership Team (COLT) self-identify as community advocates and human rights ambassadors for the organization.

To best advance human rights and justice alongside multi-marginalized communities in Nebraska while dismantling systemic oppressions, Stand in for Nebraska Community Leadership Team enacts a diverse, shared, and supportive leadership model.

Our vision in 2021, is to enhance educational programming, outreach, and quality food security for Nebraskans.

Our Values

Personal Integrity

We believe in remaining mindful, de-centering ego, and practicing self-care and healing to remain resilient, build stamina, and be effective.

Relational Integrity

We believe in the value of listening to the most vulnerable, protecting our community, and using sensitive approaches to our work with others.

 

Organizational Integrity

We engage in courageous and responsive leadership, celebrate innovative initiative, and lead with a passionate focus to get work done. 

Our Vision

We believe in direct advocacy working alongside marginalized communities.

Stand in for Nebraska (SIFN) is a 501(c)3 grassroots organization that human rights and justice alongside multi-marginalized communities.

Through direct advocacy featuring education, community-enhancing projects, and policy work, SIFN strives to work, in deep and unyielding collaboration, toward realizing ML King Jr’s unrealized “Beloved Community” vision.

As explained by The King Center, the memorial institution founded by Coretta Scott King to further the goals of Martin Luther King:

Dr. King’s Beloved Community is a global vision in which all people can share in the wealth  of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it.  Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood.

Our Board

Stand in for Nebraska is led by a diverse group of twelve active Board of Directors and community organizers who help mobilize and guide Six Active Community Organizing Circles (COCs).  

Dr. Belinda Acosta

Dr. Belinda Acosta

My first-people ancestors are the Huichol from what is now known as the central highlands of Mexico.
Rochelle Golliday

Rochelle Golliday

Rochelle assists with the coordination of various activities, meetings, conferences, and town halls.
Schmeeka Grayer Simpson

Schmeeka Grayer Simpson

We can think of no better representative than Schmeeka to advance our work at the national level .
Phyllis Stone

Phyllis Stone

Her love of education and teaching excellence manifested new opportunities for community leadership and matriarchal innovation.

Our External Advisory Boards

Stand in for Nebraska is dedicated to building a horizontal instead of vertical or heirarchical power structure.

Our Community Organizing Leadership Team

Abby Goss

Abby Goss

Abby aims to be a leader in Public Health community projects, policies, and practices.
Cheri Stollar

Cheri Stollar

We implicitly trust Cheri’s wisdom, her goodness, and authenticity. Standing in her truth and light.
Dr. Anh Le

Dr. Anh Le

All of her work arcs toward helping build the Beloved Community through personal and community wellness and healing.
Dr Stephanie Bondi

Dr Stephanie Bondi

Stephanie and her family have been baseline voices and supporters of human rights and justice in Nebraska.
Freedom Thompson

Freedom Thompson

Freedom is among the most expansively gifted, connecting, and nurturing humans we know.
Jason Witmer

Jason Witmer

He is a rare man, and yet, his loving and ascending energies are deeply felt and impactful.
John Cartier

John Cartier

John has walked unflinchingly alongside our grassroots-developing non-profit organization and offered invaluable ...
Nature Medicine Song Villegas

Nature Medicine Song Villegas

Nature’s loving energy, fierce resolve, and irreverent, uplifting humor are among her many superpowers.
Nichole Vesely

Nichole Vesely

We have grown to expect a visionary and a details-oriented thinker who helps us see and plan in both ways.
Renee Sans Souci

Renee Sans Souci

She has been the wise constant and through-line to make this approach to community education possible.
Susan Alleman

Susan Alleman

Beyond her deeply felt and respected professional investments, Susan loves with her whole being.
Tanya Encalada

Tanya Encalada

She advocates for policies related to disability rights, restorative justice/criminal legal reform, immigration ...
Yolanda Nuncio

Yolanda Nuncio

Yolanda became a protesting voice in a rally and march led by legendary Civil Rights activist, Caesar Chavez.