Midwest Crisis: Leah Whitney Chavez in Omaha
“We are making an impact in the community and it is something I would like to continue.”
Leah Whitney Chavez was born in Bellevue, Washington and moved to Nebraska in 2000.
She has considered what the future looks like and if she will move, but she stays in Nebraska due to her work with World Speaks, an organization she founded, as well as her family. She also likes the friends she has made here. She likes the cost of living in Omaha, as her and her partner purchased their first home here.
Hannah: What makes you want to stay in Nebraska?
Leah: A lot of what keeps me in Omaha is my work with World Speaks. We are making an impact in the community and it is something I would like to continue. I like Omaha and like that it is a growing city. We have thought about having two homes. Leaving here for the winter time and then the rest of the year in Omaha.
Hannah: You founded an organization, World Speaks, here in Omaha. I may be a bit biased [note for readers: I am now on the board!], but I think this is a major investment in our community. Why did you choose to do that work here?
Leah: It wasn’t a straight shot to a decision to create World Speaks. When I got to college I realized that I wasn’t as passionate about medicine as I thought. I loved the Spanish language and after I studied abroad in Argentina there was an opportunity to grow business ideas at the Start Center Omaha. I enrolled and realized there was a lot of work that could be done in the Omaha Community. Omaha is a great place to start a business. The philanthropic community we have is very strong and not present in every community. I do believe that the idea of World Speaks can be repeated in other states.
Hannah: Can you share a bit more about your work?
Leah: World Speaks removes language barriers in the community to help all have access to critical and vital resources. We also promote multilingualism and cultural responsiveness. Yes it does have a factor in my staying in NE. I could see locations nationwide though.
Hannah: Do you know many people who have moved from Nebraska? If so, how has that affected your support system or community?
Leah: I would say yes I do, one being my best friend and friends I have made over the years. My main family, the majority of them including my parents, are still in Omaha. I would say my familial support system is still very strong. Yelp Omaha has also helped me make friends, I have made friends in my neighborhood, through past jobs I have had, and the work I do in the community connects me to new people.
Hannah: Recently, you shared a post on Facebook about people trashing Omaha when they leave, and it started a bit of a conversation. Something you’d said in a comment that I really loved was “having respect for the community you come from and having healthy criticism keeps things balanced.” Since you have lived in and traveled to other places, what about Omaha stands out?
Leah: The philanthropic and business community, the growth potential, the non crazy traffic (haha), the amazing food scene, the linguistic and cultural diversity our city has, the affordable cost of living, it's a good place to raise a family, and the act/fact of buying my own home with my partner.
Hannah: How do you spend your energy around politics here in Nebraska, or how has that changed?
Leah: I am trying to get more involved with keeping myself educated and support ballot initiatives when presented with the opportunity. I wouldn’t say my life is very political but I know there is importance in educating and supporting others who put their time, energy, and work into making the changes I would like to see in my community.
Hannah: Are you happy staying in Nebraska long-term? What makes Nebraska home for you?
Leah: As I mentioned previously, I am not 100% sure what my future looks like. I think I would like to own two homes one day. I don’t see myself moving in the next 5 years. We would like to start a family so I am open to where life takes me but I am not looking to hightail it out of Omaha. I think what has helped me bloom is to get involved with my community. Since I was a young girl my parents had us very involved in sports, church, and community initiatives. I think when you are doing things that are keeping you active in the community it helps you bloom. And traveling each year makes me happy too!
You can find Leah’s work at www.worldspeaksomaha.org, on Instagram @worldspeaksoma and her Instagram account @foodfoodya.
Midwest Crisis is a new project from Hannah Michelle Bussa. People are leaving the state of Nebraska, but research on the topic is limited. Join Hannah as she interviews individuals with various perspectives on their choices - to move and to stay - each week this spring.
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Do you want to share your story about moving from or deciding to stay in the Midwest? Please email hanmichelleb@gmail.com!