OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - North Platte non-profit founder and director TinaMaria Fernandez was recognized Thursday with the “Roots of Justice” award from Nebraska Appleseed.

She says her passion for connection has led to more empathy in her community.

It also led to a partnership with local law enforcement.

For TinaMaria, this all started as an effort to unify her community in North Platte.

“When you get to meet the Marias and the Diegos, you get to know them as people and not a stereotype that you’ve heard,” TinaMaria said.

Her nonprofit, HOPE-Esperanza , serves minority groups in North Platte.

Lincoln County’s Sheriff Jerome Kramer met TinaMaria at one of the events put on by her organization aimed at bringing people together.

When he got the call from ICE to see if he would hold det

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