Doris Moore and CHD: Addressing COVID-19 with Mental & Behavioral Services
Doris Moore and the Center for Holistic Development are celebrating 20 years of serving the community
When Doris Moore decided to enter the behavioral health field, she wanted to answer one question, “Why do people feel the way they do?” With no mental health background, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, she returned to school 14 years later and received her Master’s degree in Community Counseling.
Moore is the founder and CEO of Center for Holistic Development (CHD), a non-profit focused on providing mental and behavioral health counseling and prevention programs in North Omaha.
The CHD offers programs that provide a culturally competent approach to address the behavioral health care needs of the Black community. Eighty percent of the clientele the organization serves is African American.
Moore is passionate about the work she gets to do on a daily basis. She refers to the work as “a calling” and she feels it is her mission to help others recognize how important their mental and emotional state is for living a productive life. Moore says, “There is a counseling term called stinky thinking. That is how your life will be; if you think you can’t, then you can’t. If you think of the positive possibilities, than you can.”
She also recognizes there are some individuals that have severe mental illness due to traumas, negative influence, racism, abuse, and micro aggressions. All these things impact our ability to be our authentic self and how we move forward.
“I recognize when people are struggling with depression or anxiety, and I want to know what is behind that. What is the thing that makes you feel life is becoming a challenge and question if living is worth it?,” says Moore.
(Photo: The late Betty Nelum, first contract therapist at CHD; Pastor Kenneth Allen, Senior Pastor of Zion Baptist Church; and, Doris Moore, CEO and Founder Center for Holistic Development)
She opened the doors to CHD in 2001 with the goal of providing a holistic approach to behavioral health care services to her community. Moore developed a model that focuses on the balance and well-being of individuals. She created the acronym S.P.E.C.I.A.L.™ which focuses on specific areas that she and her team practice within the CHD.
Spiritual – Acknowledging and valuing the presence of a higher power that influences your life’s purpose to create inner peace.
Physical – Adhering to standards that promote appropriate diet, weight, exercise, and rest.
Emotional/Economic – Ability to understand, recognize, and manage personal emotions. Also developing an approach for economic stability resulting in adequate finances to meet one’s obligations.
Cultural – Recognition and appreciation of your cultural and ethnic heritage as a positive influence on self-concept.
Intellectual – Promoting and participating in a personal philosophy of lifelong learning.
Associations (Social) – Developing and maintaining a social support system that encourages and enhances the positive self.
Love for Self and Others – Recognition and appreciation for self. Valuing the gift of interconnectedness to all individuals.
CHD provides intervention, prevention, education and community outreach services. The goal is to help perspective clients understand what mental health is, and what is defined as mental illness. CHD also strives to provide information to dispel the stigma and increase utilization rates through a staff of diverse mental health professionals.
(Photo: Center for Holistic Development Team)
Services Provided by CHD:
Center for Holistic Development is focused on four key areas which are related to bring mental and behavioral health:
- These programs are designed to interrupt potential negative influences that challenge mental health.
- Become an advocate for your own mental health and your self-care. Recognize the connection between mental health and total health care.
- Community education. CHD offers free behavioral stress screenings on their website, org.
- Intervention: CHD has professional mental health counselors that provide individual or family counseling, and substance abuse counseling.
CHD Prevention Programs are offered for 0 to 99 years of age. Many of the programs have made adjustments due to COVID restrictions.
KidSquad. The program works with teachers, staff, and parents at childcare centers to help children who have challenging behaviors.
Real Talk. A program within four Omaha Public middle schools that is now offered virtually due to COVID. The program is geared toward building social and emotional competence in middle school age students.
Urban Youth BOLT (Building Our Leaders Today) The program provides early intervention and prevention, and works with youth referred from the families, agencies, and the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Family Engagement and Resource connection. Provides parents with evidence-based techniques to enhance nurturing and parent engagement within all levels of parenting.
GrandFriends for Grassroots change. A mentoring program for young adults ages 19-30 to be matched up with seasoned adults.
CHD has seen an increase in the demand for counseling since the beginning of the pandemic. Due to COVID-19, the center offers socially distance or virtual counseling services for individuals, groups, youth and adults.
Most people haven’t recognized all the feelings that can be triggered from COVID. Emotions can range from anxiety and guilt, to grief and depression.
Moore says, “There is a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about the virus, and the volumes of information regarding the testing, vaccines, etc. There is guilt with the fact of screening positive and unknowingly infecting friends and family. It is important to find a balance and manage the myriad of emotions associated with this challenging time. While some people struggle with mild mental or emotional symptoms, and others are challenged with more severe concerns. When life gets to be too much, contact a behavioral health specialist. Just as with other medical conditions, treatment can be paid for through your insurance.”
“While there is a more heightened level of stress and loss of control and grief, it is important to stop and take care of yourself.”
The Center for Holistic Development offers a free anonymous online mental health screening for individuals on their website, and offers a free meditation video featuring Felicia Webster on their Facebook page: Facebook/CHDOmaha.
For more information about their programs, visit chdomaha.org or call 402-502-9788.
___________________________________________
B.J. Nelum Lighthouse Award
Betty Nelum was the Center for Holistic Development’s first contract therapist. Nelum had a long history in the community of providing behavioral health care and substance abuse services. She also assisted with the fundraising for the organization. Moore considers Nelum instrumental in getting the company to where it is today.
Since her passing in 2014, the CHD honors her legacy by presenting the BJ Nelum Lighthouse award to a recipient at their annual fundraising luncheon. As the Center for Holistic Development, Inc. celebrates 20 years of service to the community, they are deeply indebted to those who have helped them reach this momentous milestone.
Community Features
Revive Black Business Summit launches new phase of collective economic growth
Building Wealth and Community by Expanding Businesses, Creating Profits and Advancing Careers.
By: Willie D. Barney, Co-owner Revive and Carver Legacy Center
Our first Revive Black Business Summit and Business Exchange for 2026 was held on Saturday, January 10th at the Revive Center Omaha – 24th and Lake, hosted by Willie and Yolanda Barney, focused on working together to double the number of Black Businesses with Employees.
Dreams and Visions are becoming reality. On Saturday, January 10, 2026, seventy Black business owners and entrepreneurs convened at our first Revive Black Business Summit of the year. This event was one of our best yet. Networking. Learning. Sharing. Business Exchange. Inspiration. Resources. Funding.
Yolanda and I have hosted these networking, business exchange and capacity-building events for 12 years. We have been blessed to work with over four hundred Black business owners and entrepreneurs in Omaha and hundreds more across the country.
We set a goal 22 years ago to help support, promote, connect, launch, and grow Black businesses. Saturday’s event at the Revive Center at 24th and Lake shows the incredible things happening in Omaha for Black businesses and the ever-increasing possibilities.
The Brookings Institution highlighted a 95% increase in Black Businesses with employees in Omaha. Our next goal is to help double the number of Black businesses with employees and create over 3,000 more jobs.
On Saturday, we had a number of owners in attendance running multi-million-dollar businesses and others who are at the start-up phase. The sharing of information, contacts and business exchange was real and impactful.
Carmen Tapio, CEO and Founder of North End Teleservices, is a notable example as she launched her business in the face of challenges to access capital even though she came with global experience and had helped others build extraordinarily successful businesses. She overcame those obstacles and now leads the largest Black owned business in the state, creating hundreds of jobs and careers. NET has been recognized as one of the fastest growing businesses in the country.
Tapio highlighted some keys to success: It starts with faith. Form partnerships. Don’t quit. “If it’s in your heart, if it’s in your spirit, don’t quit! There is a pathway there for you. It is not a straight line.”
Raheem Sanders, MPH Sanders, CEO and Managing Partner of PPRP, a national data, research and evaluation firm shared insights on how to grow profits and build community effectively by maximizing AI and data.
Sanders emphasized AI should be used to increase your sales, revenue and profits, not just to save money. “It should make you even more productive. Go from 2-3 proposals in a month to 10-20 proposals.”
Keele Taylor MA,PHR,SHRM-CP Taylor, CEO of HR-Minded with 20 years of experience and a growing national client base provided insights for hiring, onboarding, retention and preparing your business for growth and staying compliant while doing so.
“Onboarding starts from the moment you post your position,” said Taylor. “My job is to help you stay compliant in all areas of HR, not just hiring.”
Candice Price, serial entrepreneur and community builder, co-owner of HomeTeam Auto and several other enterprises, presented strategies to generate multiple streams of income. Growing from an initial investment of $1,750 to co-owning businesses worth millions.
“Partnerships are essential,” said Price. “And, don’t take no for a final answer. Don’t let a no shut you down. There are others out there who will help you.”
Phillip McClain, CEO of the Mensch Group provided an overview of the exciting new projects he is working on to build community through innovations in real estate. He is currently leading a $20 million development in North Omaha and has offices in Chicago and cities.
“I’m excited to bring even more innovative developments and options to North Omaha,” said McClain.
We were also blessed to have numerous resource organizations with us providing funding, training and expertise: Carver Legacy Center, Omaha 100, Nebraska Opportunity Exchange, Hayes & Associates and HR-Minded.
Thank you, Carver Legacy, and HR-Minded for helping to sponsor the event.
Our next Summit is coming up March 7th. Learn more at reviveomaha.com. Omaha is on the move. Come grow with us!
Photo Gallery
Community Features
Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake Draws Thousands to North Omaha for 15th Annual Celebration
OMAHA, Neb. (Dec. 21, 2025) — Thousands gathered in North Omaha on Saturday, Dec. 6, for the 15th annual Christmas in the Village, a vibrant holiday festival that brought economic energy and community pride to the 24th & Lake district.
“Since the launch of Christmas in the Village, new organizations, businesses and venues have opened in the historic district,” said Willie Barney, CEO and founder, Empowerment Network. “These events attract families, visitors and tourists that support the arts and cultural venues and shop with the vendors and businesses. Businesses report this as one of their top sales days and a significant way to gain new customers that come back throughout the year.”
Christmas in the Village brought residents, families and community members together to experience live entertainment, carriage rides, arts and crafts, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and shopping in the holiday boutique. The celebration spanned from 24th & Ohio to 24th & Burdette.
“Christmas in the Village is one of North Omaha’s most beautiful traditions,” said Kimara Snipes, executive director, One Omaha. “Black joy on full display. Kids running around with cocoa and candy canes. Families taking pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Live music, small businesses lined up, people hugging in the street like a big family reunion right in the heart of our community. This is what it looks like when we invest in ourselves. This is what it looks like when a vision turns into a tradition.”
Organized in partnership with the Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) and dozens of community businesses, the event has served as a critical economic engine for the area.
“The important thing about Christmas in the Village, or events like this, is that it brings communities together,” said Buey Ray Tut, CEO of Spark and event vendor. “It brings people together, and it gives us pride in the community that we live in. So I not only think it’s an important event, I think it’s a critical event for our community to grow and thrive.”
More than 100 local businesses, organizations, artists and ministries participated in this weekend’s event, continuing a tradition of community collaboration and economic support that has grown steadily since the festival’s inception in 2011.
“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since we’ve had the privilege to host this amazing holiday tradition in North Omaha,” said Vicki Quaites-Ferris, VP of Community Development for the Empowerment Network and Christmas in the Village Event Director. “We started out with 1,000 visitors and have since grown to host well over 10,000. Bringing joy to children and families while creating wonderful memories to last a lifetime is something I am proud to have been a part of.”
She added, “We have been blessed with businesses, organizations, churches, and families who have supported us each year. I am already looking forward to hosting the 16th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake on Saturday, December 5, 2026.”
This year’s sponsors included American National Bank, Charles Drew Health Center, Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, KETV, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Revive! Omaha and Veridian Credit Union. Supported by the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance), a program of The Obama Foundation, the Empowerment Network is committed to building safer environments for all residents by increasing educational and career success while reducing violent crime.
To learn more about Empowerment Network and Christmas in the Village, visit https://empoweromaha.com/.
###
About the Empowerment Network
The Empowerment Network is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing economic, social and civic progress within Omaha’s African American community, North Omaha and the region. Through collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives, the Empowerment Network strives to create opportunities for empowerment and transformation in every zip code and neighborhood in the City of Omaha and other national communities.
