The following is from Roger Howard, a volunteer with Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty.

When we were called to address poverty in our community in a brand-new way, we had no idea where all the resources were going to come, from so we prayed, and people prayed for us.

I really knew very little about the nonprofit world, but our pastor said, “Hey Roger, did you know that John is on the same mission as you are?” Mr. P had left a successful legal career to found the Omaha Street School, and he was well connected and extremely well thought of in the nonprofit community. John helped get Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty off the ground.

So, what curriculum would we use or would we develop on our own? Sharon, who sat next to me in choir, overheard me telling that I wanted to eliminate poverty in our community. She told me that I needed to look at Ruby Payne and Bridges Out of Poverty curriculum, which she happened to be teaching at a homeless shelter in South Omaha. The curriculum was incredible and evidence-based, and it didn’t give people a fish—it taught them to fish.

Sharon became our first facilitator, and within a couple of months, she was our program director.

We formed a board of directors, and God sent us the most amazing people, brilliant people from business and nonprofits that were passionate about defeating poverty, gracious in their service, and generous with their resources: John, Kelly, Laurie, Dan, Dan, Tara, Jamalia, Barry, and others.

Sharon’s husband, Carl, had been searching for a solution to poverty in his North Omaha community. We went to dinner, and he went from skeptic to advocate in one hour. Dr. J. developed and is now the director of life skills coaching for Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty.

At a meeting with the largest nonprofit in the Omaha area regarding partnering together, we met Walter, who became our amazing director of community partnerships. Walter is bilingual and is instrumental in reaching our Latino community.

Joanie came on board as our director of administration, and I discovered I could give her any project and she would run with it. I said, “Could you figure out Facebook for us?” And she did.

Julisa joined us initially as a part-time facilitator and ultimately became one of our certified life skill coaches. Julissa is bilingual. Julissa, like the rest of the staff, works tirelessly serving the underserved.

Kendra came to us as an intern, and we didn’t let her get away—instead, we hired her as our program coordinator.

Sue, a close friend from college, took me out to coffee and said, “I’m going to go to work for you.” She was just retiring from a long career in donor database management. Wow, what a gift!

Cheryl, LaShantra, and Samira went from facilitators to program specialists, and each brought unique skills and passion for our mission.

When it was time to hire a paid CEO (to replace the volunteer founder), God sent us Marcus, who is an incredible leader and great man of faith.

All these people have said this is not a job—this is a calling.

We had many miracles in funding.

Now, more than 2,000 people have lifted their families out of poverty and have the skills and resources to continue to be successful and self-sufficient.

Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty is making a difference in Omaha by bringing the community together to end poverty. Together, our goal is to help individuals and families realize their dreams and create a new story and a compelling future.