Finding Her Voice, Creating Change

When people think about philanthropy, they often picture large donations or major fundraising campaigns. But sometimes, philanthropy begins with a classroom, a student willing to share her story, and a community willing to listen.

This spring, MOMentum was honored to receive a $1,000 grant through the Maverick Philanthropy Initiative (MPI), a service-learning project embedded within a public speaking course at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). While we are deeply grateful for the financial support, what makes this gift truly meaningful is the story behind it.

The Maverick Philanthropy Initiative is far more than a class assignment. Throughout the semester, students explore philanthropy, volunteerism, and community engagement by connecting directly with local nonprofits. They visit organizations, participate in service activities, attend nonprofit networking events, conduct research, and ultimately use their public speaking skills to advocate for causes that matter to them.

As instructor Casey Riesberg explains, "Every semester my students do more than give a speech. They help a family. They volunteer. They change the community around them."

For one student, that impact became deeply personal.

Cheyenne Vessel, a junior in UNO's College of Education pursuing degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, was introduced to MOMentum through the course and a visit to Yates Illuminates. As she learned about MOMentum's mission of helping low-income single mothers overcome barriers to employment, she found herself reflecting on her own journey.

For the first three years of her daughter's life, Cheyenne navigated motherhood as a single parent without a support system. The challenges MOMentum works to address were challenges she knew firsthand.

"When I learned about the things MOMentum did for the community, it reminded me of how hard it was learning to live as a single mom with no idea where to go for help," Cheyenne shared.

As the semester progressed, Cheyenne chose MOMentum as the nonprofit she would research, present, and ultimately advocate for during the grant competition. But her journey involved much more than preparing a speech.

A United States Air Force veteran living with military-induced PTSD, public speaking presented significant personal challenges. Standing in front of an audience and sharing her voice required tremendous courage.

What happened next was remarkable.

Throughout the semester, Cheyenne grew more confident with each presentation. By the time she delivered her final persuasive speech, she had not only found her voice but used it to move her classmates and inspire action. After several rounds of voting and multiple tie-breakers, her classmates selected MOMentum as the recipient of the $1,000 grant.

According to Riesberg, the connection between Cheyenne and MOMentum was impossible to ignore.

"As a former single mother herself, she understood the challenges the organization was addressing," he said. "The organization was not simply a research topic for her—it was personal."

She watched Cheyenna transform throughout the semester.

"By the end, she moved the entire class to tears. Not only did she do it, but she won the grant competition for MOMentum. Through that process, she discovered that her voice was not weak, as she once believed. It was strong, important, and meaningful."

At MOMentum, we often talk about the power of support. We see every day what happens when a mother has access to transportation, career coaching, community connections, and someone who believes in her potential. Cheyenne's story reminds us that support takes many forms.

Sometimes it looks like a nonprofit helping a mom overcome barriers to employment. Sometimes it looks like a professor creating opportunities for students to engage with their community. Sometimes it looks like classmates rallying around someone who found the courage to speak.

This experience also highlights the important role that institutions like UNO play in strengthening our community. Through innovative programs like the Maverick Philanthropy Initiative, students are learning that their education can extend beyond the classroom and become a catalyst for meaningful change.

Pictured left to right Sewhenu Ayeni, UNO Graduate Assistant, Savannah Even, Executive Director of MOMentum, Cheyenne Vessell, UNO Student, Casey Riesberg, Instructor of Communication UNO

We are incredibly grateful to Cheyenne Vessel for sharing her story and advocating for single mothers. We are equally grateful to Casey Riesberg and the University of Nebraska Omaha for creating opportunities that connect students with community impact.

The $1,000 grant will help MOMentum continue providing transportation, career coaching, and support services to mothers working toward economic stability. More importantly, this experience serves as a reminder that when people use their voices to advocate for others, lives can change.

As Casey reflected, "Public speaking is not simply about standing in front of an audience. It is about empowering students to find their voices, connect with their communities, and create meaningful change."

We couldn't agree more.

Thank you, Cheyenne. Thank you, Professor Riesberg. Thank you, UNO. And thank you to every person who believes that mothers deserve support, opportunity, and a community that stands beside them.

Together, we are creating change, one voice, one story, and one family at a time.