Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (SENCA) Recognizes 60 Years of Service

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership Inc. (SENCA) officially turned 60, and started the celebration by delivering individual bags of popcorn to local community partners on Friday, May 1st! May is also recognized as National Community Action Month. 
On May 2nd, 1966, Evelyn Cooper of Humboldt, and Cecil Davis, of Pawnee City signed the official documents incorporating SENCA as one of nine Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in the state. This monumental milestone ensured economically challenged households, throughout Nebraska’s southeast region of the state, including the agency’s six core-counties of Cass, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson, would have local access to essential, life-changing programs and services. 
As a part of the nationwide Community Action Partnership Network, SENCA is one of more than 1,000 CAAs dedicated to the promise of helping people help themselves and each other. 
As a local Community Action Agency, SENCA offers a variety of programs and services specifically designed to provide solutions to top identified challenges such as: safe, affordable housing, food insecurity, energy saving measures, low-cost public transit, and educational needs. SENCA housing programs, including weatherization, radon mitigation, and home buyer education, also provide assistance to qualifying, Sarpy County households. 
SENCA is managed by a tripartite volunteer board of directors representing private interest, elected officials, and low-income households throughout SENCA’s northern, central, and southern regions. Volunteers currently serving on SENCA’s 2026 Board of Directors include: Lori Huebner (Chair), Emily Brueggemann (1st Vice Chair), Karen Harlow (2nd Vice Chair), Deb Lewis (Secretary/Treasurer), Peggy Groff (Past Chair), Rick Karas, Tim Weber, Taylor Boyle, and Vanessa Sherman. 
The day-to-day management, and overall leadership, of the agency’s team of more than 50 trained and dedicated staff, is provided by Executive Director, Vicky McNealy. Mrs. McNealy has more than 37 years of experience with SENCA, serving as the agency Fiscal Officer/Deputy Director before her promotion to Executive Director in 2012 following the retirement of Richard “Max” Winslow. In an on-going effort to share the impact SENCA provides to southeast Nebraska families and communities, stories of hope and success are written and published, highlighting individuals and families who contacted SENCA for assistance and found help as well as hope. These individuals may be neighbors, friends, or family members experiencing eviction, utility shut-off, or food insecurity, utilizing local resources for assistance. SENCA outreach offices are located in each of the six core counties. 
After the emergency need is met, clients are enrolled in a minimum of six months of case management, meeting monthly with the local Family Development Associate to identify goals, budget finances, increase education and skill, and if needed, utilize other in-house, or community-based programs. The overall goal is, reduce reliance on government programs, increase income, and achieve self-sufficiency. 
SENCA is proud of their 60-year history, and together share in the on-going mission of “Investing in our neighbors through education and partnerships to improve lives and build strong communities in southeast Nebraska.” To learn more, visit www.senca.org or like SENCA at www.facebook.com/Senca1.