Well before SIFN became a non-profit 501(c)3, Tanya Encalada offered valued, difference-making energies. Our first stand in campaign involved immigration justice in response to the horrifying family separations at the US southern border. Believing church communities should take a more visible stance against such human rights atrocities, a grassroots development took hold. We met Tanya at our first stand in; she was driving by, saw us around 27th and Sheridan, and turned around to park and join us.
Tanya has been with us ever since, and we couldn’t be more appreciative!
We admire Tanya’s deep personal commitment to growth and empowerment. Often we marvel at her capacity to raise her children, pursue her degree, and still advocate within the SIFN leadership team. Passionate about policy research and advocacy, Tanya plays a key behind the scenes role of engaging elected officials and sharing results from her on-going research. She is also involved in community activities, civic engagement and supporting other non-profits in Lincoln.
She advocates for policies related to disability rights, restorative justice/criminal legal reform, immigration justice, and human rights in general stemming from her lived experiences.
Ever-committed to a growth mindset and respect for community collaboration and improved wellness, Tanya reminds us that personal stretching and healing should be our norm; that coming together to better realize the Beloved Community need not remain an unreachable ideal.
We grow because, in part, of steadfast commitments like Tanya’s.