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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.

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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.

Careers

Gibril Mansaray creating innovative partnerships in Sierra Leone

Mansaray announced his partnership for the first time on the stage at the Leadership Conference in 2019.  The response encouraged him to step out in faith at a larger level. He has since been recognized by global organizations for his significant impact.

In 2019, a request from his father to send USD 430 to support their ancestral village in Sierra Leone during a crisis changed Gibril’s life. What appeared to be a small amount of funds by U.S. standards fed his family’s village of 1,500 people for a week.

Realizing the significant impact of even small amounts of money, Gibril raised USD 3,400 to rebuild the village’s primary school. This effort led to Gibril founding the Pa Karim Memorial Foundation, named in honor of his grandfather, to expand educational opportunities in Sierra Leone.  Mansary will speak on his journey and how others can do similar work in partnership with other nations in Africa.

Gibril Mansaray

Gibril S. Mansaray is a man with deep roots. Born in Iowa, Gibril moved frequently during childhood, which helped him develop a unique ability to unite people, spark connections, and foster belonging. The son of a Western African Muslim father and an African American Southern Baptist Christian mother, Gibril often felt like “a walking division.” However, his passion for learning led him to major in sociology, setting the stage for his future work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

The Pa Karim Memorial Foundation focuses on creating educational access, opportunities, hope, and empowerment for youth in remote villages of Sierra Leone. Their mission is to open doors of opportunity through quality education, unlocking the potential of young minds and igniting their dreams for a brighter future.

The Foundation’s core values include access, opportunity, hope, and empowerment. The Foundation is working on a joint effort with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Energy and Xemplar Carbon & Capital to develop, finance and deploy 200MW of Renewable Energy infrastructure solutions across the Republic of Sierra Leone.

The agreement highlights how Xemplar Carbon’s strategic collaboration with the Pa Karim Memorial Foundation and Develop Africa Inc. (Sierra Leone N.G.O.) will ensure Local Content Policy (LCP) engagement and in-country capacity building.

Gibril’s work has not gone unnoticed. He was honored with the 2023 Amway Hero Award, recognizing his dedication to breaking down educational barriers and fostering empowerment through education. This award highlights his mission’s impact and collective effort’s transformative power. In the U.S., Gibril advocates for education and empowerment, urging others to recognize their potential to make a difference.

He believes that through collaboration and commitment, exponential change is possible. Gibril is married to Maurisa N. Mansaray, a Method Development Specialist with Midwest Labs and a classically trained cellist. The couple’s pride and joy are their three-year-old son, Moses, and their one-year-old son, Maaz.  You can learn more and donate to the foundation here: Develop Africa (reachapp.co)

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Careers

Moving Towards $1 Billion; David Stevens, CEO of Stevens Capital Partners

David Stevens, CEO and Founder of Stevens Capital Partners, is one of the nation’s top investors and wealth management leaders.

After spending nearly 20 years of his career at TD Ameritrade, where he ran the largest advice practice in the nation, David founded Stevens Capital PartnersTM, an SEC fee-only Registered Investment Advisory Firm (formerly known as Purposeful Wealth). David is a University of Nebraska at Lincoln graduate, a series 66 licensed (Investment Advisor), and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. He is a proud member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and is on the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association of Nebraska.

David has been a guest speaker and panelist at local and national conferences throughout the financial industry. David and the team focus on your life, family, and priorities to help you determine, navigate, and achieve your goals. His commitment to the fiduciary model of investment management is one of the pillars that support his work ethic and core values.

He and his wife, Natalia have four children and live in Omaha, where he enjoys attending and coaching their children’s academic, musical, and athletic events. He sits on several boards and enjoys making a positive impact in the lives of others. Part of that commitment is his pledge to donate 10 percent of the profits of Stevens Capital PartnersSM to his community.

Goal is to Delight and Deliver!

Our clients cover a broad spectrum but are mostly high-net worth families, business executives, professional athletes, institutions, churches, and non-profits. They rely on us for wealth management, comprehensive financial planning, and our ability to strategize with them on matters within and outside their financial needs.

Exceeding the expectations of our clients is too low a bar for us. We strive to delight.

The African-American Leadership Conference is presented by the Empowerment Network of Omaha and features local and national leaders along with allies from every sector.  For more information on the Empowerment Network, please go to empoweromaha.com

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Careers

Racquel Henderson, helping to launch the Empowerment Network’s Skill-Up Omaha Collaborative

Racquel Henderson is well-known in the community for spreading the word about opportunities, resources and critical information.

Henderson recently joined EPIC Girls as the director of programs and strategic partnerships.  With her previous roles at Metropolitan Community College and UNO, Henderson has made a measurable impact in the lives of thousands of youth and young adults.

This month, she is will also begin working as a consultant and navigator for the Empowerment Network to help launch and coordinate the new Skill-Up Omaha Collaborative.

She has also established a strong reputation for keeping the community connected and informed.  Known as a trusted go-to person in the community, Henderson has an amazing track record of making things happen through her passion, advocacy, partnerships, strategic outreach and keeping things relevant and real.

Raquel Henderson

Born and raised in North Omaha, Racquel is a courageous leader that actively works to use employment as a tool to elevate peoples’ circumstances. In her work as an influencer, activists, and community advocate, she is a champion for change through education, employment, and community resources.

Racquel has spent more than 10 years serving her community by providing second chances in reentry programs and uplifting youth in higher education opportunities. Racquel has been pivotal with creating opportunities for individuals to elevate their lives and become the best version of themselves.

Previously, as the Pathway Coordinator for the Walter Scott Jr. Career Pathway Scholarship at Metropolitan Community College Racquel focused on the retention of first-generation and underrepresented students by providing intrusive academic support and guidance on the way to Career Placement. Racquel also serves as the Employment and Education Coordinator for Black and Pink — the nation’s largest prison abolitionist organization.

Additionally, Racquel is a Professor at UNO where she instructs a course centered on issues of race, ethnicity, and the criminal justice system. Racquel works with the Terraluna Collaborative on the Lived Experience Project which seeks to assist youth and families who have been impacted by the juvenile justice system in providing resources and workshops that facilitate healing with a focus on gathering their voices and stories, and is a Consultant for the Community Wellness Collaborative where she provides mentorship and employment skills for cohorts of young adults for the Health Care Collaborative Academy.

Racquel serves as a mentor with The Keys Foundation, where she works to improve academic achievement, self-esteem, social competence and avoidance of problem/high-risk behavior, and recently completed her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she studied Criminal Justice and disadvantaged communities, and was inducted into the National Honors Society of Criminal Justice.

A 2024 Women’s Center for Advancement Tribute to Women Award Recipient, 2023 Urban League African American Leadership Award Recipient, 2023 Phenomenal Woman of the Year Recipient, 2023 ICAN Award Recipient, 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fulfill the Dream Award Recipient, 2022 Own the Pond Big Fish Award Recipient, 2022 Community Focused Award Recipient, 2021 Greater Omaha Chamber Changemaker Award Recipient, 2021 Ten Outstanding Young Omahan Award Recipient, 2018 Young Professional of the Year Urban League of Nebraska Award Recipient, 2018 MORE Women Award Recipient, and 2017 Young Black and Influential Award recipient, Racquel is deeply dedicated to her community and is committed to witnessing its flourishing.

In 2015 Racquel Founded of #TheBeProject — a movement based on bringing awareness to various jobs and resources to community members. She recently completed a 2023 National Fellowship in the Women Organizing for Justice and Opportunity National Leadership Lab and completed a fellowship with the National Youth Justice Leadership Institute and was inducted into Women’s Fund Circles 9, and is committed to growing personally and professionally while assisting in improving the lives of women and girls in the community.

Racquel serves with boldness and inspiration on the Board of I Be Black Girl where she assists in actively creating a change-making culture that centers Black women, girls and femmes to provide transformational change. Racquel also serves on the Board of YouTurn and NOISE.

She is a keynote speaker and who works to empower, influence and inspire individuals by meeting them where they are at, and helping them reach their max potential. Along with being a fearless leader who is passionate for her community, most importantly Racquel is a proud mother of two, a friend, neighbor, and community member.

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