Noah Rhoades, an Omaha native and veteran community organizer, is Civic Nebraska’s new voting rights restoration coordinator. In his role, Noah coordinates grassroots advocacy and activation on voting rights restoration, including recruiting and training volunteers to engage with senators and the legislative process. He began his duties on March 11.
“Civic Nebraska recognizes and activates the power of Nebraskan solidarity. The work must be done, but none of us can do it alone,” Noah said. “Our organization’s work represents a deep understanding of that fundamental human reality: we need each other.”
As voting rights restoration coordinator, Noah is a key member of Civic Nebraska’s Voting Rights Initiatives team. He educates Nebraskans about the history of felon disenfranchisement in Nebraska, eligibility requirements following a felony conviction and sentence, and resources for eligible voters. He also leads voter engagement campaigns for formerly incarcerated Nebraskans, works with re-entry partners, and participates in registration efforts for formerly incarcerated voters eligible to vote.
Born and raised in South Omaha, Noah has a decade of experience in canvassing and organizing political campaigns, ballot initiatives, and workers’ rights drives. Before joining Civic Nebraska, he was a patient attendant at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he ensured the safety of patients with a high risk for self-harm.
“I learned that everyone makes sense if you talk with them and listen to them,” Noah said. “The experience also pushed me further into the work of advocacy. I realized it is almost impossible for people to heal if they are living in a toxic environment.”
Noah is also an alumnus of Civic Nebraska’s Trailblazer Afterschool Academy at Lewis & Clark Middle School, which he credits for kickstarting his passion for connecting with people around common causes and shared challenges. He graduated from Omaha Central High School and earned bachelor’s degrees, in medical humanities and psychology, from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
In Noah’s spare time, he enjoys reading. He also writes nonfiction and short fiction and plays a half-dozen musical instruments.
We’re grateful to have Noah on our team to support our democracy-building work and ensure those who have paid their debts to society enjoy the full rights of citizenship. Join us in welcoming Noah to Civic Nebraska – he’s at noah.rhoades@civicnebraska.org.
