As head of a nonprofit, former lawyer finds purpose helping Omaha kids, families

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/as-head-of-a-nonprofit-former-lawyer-finds-purpose-helping/article_b5871339-cff2-5b2d-95a1-f88118219e5a.html




SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

John Levy on an outing with 9-year-old Chris Warren, who is part of a Heart Ministry Center mentoring program. Levy, who grew up in Omaha, left his job as a financial attorney to become executive director of the Omaha nonprofit. "My dad said, 'The thing that would make your mother and I the proudest is how you treat others,'" Levy said.

POSTED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014 12:30 AM
By Betsie Freeman / World-Herald staff writer

You probably won’t find John Levy in his office at the Heart Ministry Center.

He doesn’t spend much time cloistered away from the activities at the north Omaha nonprofit that operates a food pantry, a free clothes closet and medical clinics, among other services.

You’ll find him speedily stocking shelves with bags of bread as clients come in for provisions. Or talking to a sturdy young boy clutching a purple plastic baseball bat in the crowded waiting area: “Have you been back to the toy room?”

Or taking tough neighborhood kids on mentoring outings to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch or the Amazing Pizza Machine — many times on birthdays they may not celebrate otherwise.

FULL story at link.