Group Formed to 'Elevate' Sidney

There comes a time when seeing issues, concerns in a community means asking questions, questions including “What are we doing about this,” and “If not now, when.”

Various agencies in the Sidney and surrounding area have put their heads together and have a new way of communicating conversations with the Western Nebraska Panhandle.

Adam Frerichs (Cheyenne County Sheriff ), Jamie Bright (University of Nebraska Extension Educator for Rural Prosperity Nebraska), Forrest Hershberger (Sidney Sun-Telegraph publisher), Chad Rademacher (pastor, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church) and Kimberly Dreyer (social worker for Sidney Regional Medical Center) have been meeting to discuss how to address some of the concerns in the local community, coining the effort “Community Conversations.”

The Community Conversations effort is called “Elevate.”

The goal of Elevate is to collaborate with community partners covering a multitude of educational topics that effect the communities, individuals and business leaders on the overall health and wellness important to local communities. The vision is to elevate and enhance knowledge, concerns and resources for the betterment of the communities.

The plan is to conduct Elevate-Community Conversations four times per year and to hold these events at the Sidney High School Performing Arts Center. The first event is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 26.

Community Conversations are designed to serve two primary purposes: 1) authentically engage members of the community in a specific topic of discussion, and 2) generate public knowledge that can then be used toward informed decision-making.

Community Conversations topics to date include suicide intervention and prevention; mental health: stigma, resources and common illnesses; emergency protective custody; end of life and comfort care; Nebraska Emergency Treatment Orders; drug trafficking and illegal drug use; crisis calls and emergency response; and human trafficking. These topics are listed in response to several communities and individuals requesting resources and information on these issues.

For more information contact Chad Rademacher at308-254-3124 or [email protected], Kimberly Dreyer (Sidney Regional Medical Center, 308-254-7268 Ex 1452, 1000 Pole Creek Crossing, Sidney, NE 69162. [email protected]) or Forrest Hershberger at the Sidney Sun-Telegraph,308-254-2818, [email protected]