Fall . . . The Season of Change

Just as Mother Nature is ushering in changes in the weather with the season, fall has been a time of change for The Kim Foundation as well. I wanted to provide an update as we’ve had a lot of questions surrounding the transition of The Kim Foundation out of C&A Industries. So far it goes as the saying does, “Business as usual.” We are fortunate that we will be able to physically stay in our same location for the foreseeable future. If any changes come in that, we will certainly communicate that to our supporters and community partners. We will continue to be able to host all the community meetings we have committed to and will continue to be able to do so into the future. We may just have to become a bit more selective moving forward in what meetings we are able to host because as C&A Industries and Medical Solutions grow, the space will become more limited.

While all change can be challenging, this truly is a great change for the foundation and an opportunity for growth and greater impact in the future. We will be presenting a growth plan to the board in December and will communicate any changes as we are prepared to roll them out. Please note that any growth that we experience moving forward will continue to be strongly aligned with our mission of serving as a supportive resource and compassionate voice for lives impacted by mental illness and suicide. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for us to increase our impact on the Omaha community and beyond.

I heard someone recently say that change is inevitable. It will continue to happen whether we are prepared for it, it is simply our reaction to that change that will direct the course of how it goes. We often expect answers and results immediately. The need for instant gratification is something we see throughout society continuously. But if we are patient, thoughtful, and open to the changes that come our way, we will see much better results.

With that I would just like to thank our partners, supporters, and team for their patience as we navigate this process and shape a more solid, independent foundation that has incredible opportunity for growth and impact in our mission area.

Julia Hebenstreit, Executive Director of The Kim Foundation

Julia Hebenstreit is the Executive Director of The Kim Foundation. She received her J.D. from Creighton University in 2005, and her BS in Journalism from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2002. She has been with The Kim Foundation since 2011, and prior to that worked for local non-profits doing development, strategic planning, communications and advancement. She has a passion for helping people and improving lives, and serves on the Executive Committee for Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations, as the 2015 Hill Day State Captain for the state of Nebraska, and as an active member of the Nebraska Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Early Childhood Mental Health Coalition, BHECN Advisory Committee, RESPECT Advisory Board, Connections Advisory Board and the Project Propel Planning Group.