The United Way Family

I can’t speak any higher of any other group of people and organizations than those who make up The United Way family. They have been a guiding light through the darkness for not only myself but countless others. I have been blessed to witness their dedication to those they serve and their communities.

My journey began with Mr Jon Thomsen who is a co-respondent with Fremont Police  and Dodge County Sheriff. He is a recovering addict with mental health issues who is paying it forward. He worked for Lutheran Family Services at the time and introduced me to Miss Amanda Schwanke with Fremont Family Coalition, a member of The United Way. While I have had many cross words with him, he has been there when I needed him most and kept his distance when I was afraid. His larger than life presence belies his heart of gold.

I can’t even begin to extol the importance, dedication, courage and perseverance of Miss Amanda Schwanke. She has struggled alongside me for any kind of justice and freedom for not only myself but our community as well. Whenever I spoke with anyone who was aware of Miss Amanda, they reassured me that she was the best. I was fortunate to have her fighting with me and for me, even against myself. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better.

The staff, volunteers and community support members of CareCorps, LifeHouse have proven what Miss Amanda tried to tell me and show me. This is a community dedicated to its people of all kinds. I have seen residents persevere against difficult odds to emerge far better and stronger than the circumstances that brought them here. They usually give back in their own unique ways to not only LifeHouse but the community who gave them a chance to improve their circumstances. They are a lesson and inspiration to all they meet. May God bless them in this life and the next.

The support groups and personnel from Lutheran Family Services, Lotus, Narcotics Anonymous, Churches and more have been a godsend to not only myself but so many others. They have proven their dedication to helping every single person to the best of their abilities. They admit to their own shortcomings, past and present to remind us of their humanity and our own in all of its trials, misery, victories and glory.

I couldn’t let the outpouring of God’s love and mercy through the various churches, religious groups and others to go unmentioned. They are far from the judgmental people who can inhabit all groups. I have prayed for and beside them as they do their best to assist and give back to their community of all faiths and no faith. They are God’s word personified during times of crisis. May they continue to be His guiding light, love and mercy. May God bless them in this life and the next for showing our community the way to better days.

With all of the virtues of those mentioned, I would be remiss if I didn’t speak about those who, for whatever reason didn’t move on to better days. As with every community, there are those who choose to continue in the path that led them here. I have seen people return to abusive situations; continue to abuse others; return to their addictions; return to criminality; give up; and even go to jail or prison for various reasons.

The people of this community have tried their best but only offer a hand up, not a hand out from a list of demands. They have phoned police and escorted people off of the premises for not following the rules and guidelines of the shelter or community to make sure that those needing help and trying their best aren’t discouraged from their path forward. They aren’t perfect but they do their best.

I have also seen their own pain and frustration when having to remove people or see them return to their former ways. They are humans who want the best for all but realize that every person must stand alone. They can’t do the work for us. They can only assist us in getting better, doing better and being better.

I have seen these dedicated individuals do amazing work with so little. They have little themselves but are compelled to give back to others. I pray that our government recognizes their efforts and gives back to them instead of the large corporations and billionaires who take from our people while giving back so little because

Every life matters, especially yours.

God bless Nebraska and especially her people.