Passionate. Engaged. Knowledgeable. These are just a few words that describe the Fremont Area Community Foundation Board of Directors. Each of our directors contributes his or her own unique skills, experience, perspective and drive to make good work better for the benefit of all who live, work and play in the Fremont area. We are proud of our directors and, every once in awhile, enjoy showcasing their individual talents and efforts to make a difference in our community, our region and even our world.

FACF Board Member Cathy Saeger was recently featured in the March 2016 issue of The Bridge newsletter during National Women's History Month. In the article, reprinted below, Cathy reflected on her tenure as Executive Director of The Bridge, known then as the Crisis Center for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Now a Private Practice Therapist, Cathy has been a board member of the Fremont Area Community Foundation since 2007. Her contributions to the Foundation and our community have been invaluable. (To view The Bridge newsletter, click here.)

Cathy Saeger Reflects on Building The Bridge

“The Bridge was founded in Fremont in 1981 and began as the Crisis Center for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. My husband Bill and I had recently moved to Fremont from Columbus, where I had participated on a committee to apply for funding provided by the 1978 Nebraska Protection from Abuse Act, for the creation of a network of non-profits to address the needs of women and children in abusive situations. That effort was successful in creating the Center for Survivors, in Columbus. As a newcomer to Fremont, I read of a parallel effort here in Fremont and volunteered. The first Board of Directors was headed by Bud Hendriksen of First National Bank, and the first office was located at the corner of 6th and H Street.

In 1992, with a brand new MSW on my resume, I was happy and privileged to become the Director of the Crisis Center for 5 years at the 321 E. Military location. Under the leadership of Director Suzanne Smith, The Crisis Center now has a beautiful new home at 141 S. Union and has become a multi-service agency providing a broad range of services to men, women and children in need of protection, resources and support as they strive to overcome the effects of violence and abuse in intimate relationships.

Suzanne asked me to talk about the issues that made the greatest impression on me in my work with the Crisis Center and this is difficult, there were so many. In the beginning I saw the need as one of basic human rights: the rights of women and children to be free from abuse, control and manipulation in their homes and in their relationships. As I worked intimately with many women and shared their stories, I came to understand that the problem is both deeply personal and vastly political. The impact of drugs and alcohol on the problem is huge. My awareness of the effects on men as well as women has been expanded. And society’s tendency to blame the victim, to continue to condone sexism and inequality, and to minimize the impact of domestic violence continues.

I’m glad that programs like The Bridge continue to work hard to address the needs, and work to make positive change both in our community and at the State and Federal levels. In my work as a Private Practice Therapist I’m working now with families to improve the quality of their lives and to help to provide them with the tools and resources to have loving and respectful relationships. Congratulations to The Bridge on achieving 35 years of service to Fremont and the 5 County area!”