OMAHA, NEBRASKA – The Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people, is proud to announce that Omaha Girls Rock (OGR) is becoming part of The Bay. This collaboration will ensure that OGR’s mission to empower youth, using their voices through music education, continues to thrive.
“I’ve witnessed the huge amount of heart and grit poured into OGR from students, volunteers, teachers, parents, board members, and the community,” said Chalis Bristol, OGR board chair. “When it was time to bring OGR into a more sustainable future, the board and staff’s number one pick was The Bay. The Bay truly embodies the same OGR heart, grit, passion, and commitment to help young people find their voices.”
With aligned visions of equipping youth with real-world opportunities and fostering creative expression, the two organizations worked closely to make this transition a reality.
“This news was many months in the making, and we are thrilled to welcome Omaha Girls Rock into The Bay family,” said Andrew Norman, Executive Director of The Bay. “Music has always been a vital part of The Bay’s programming, and with the addition of OGR’s expertise, we are strengthening our commitment to youth empowerment and creative expression.”
As part of this transition, Sara Bertuldo, OGR’s longtime Operations Manager, has joined The Bay’s team as the Workforce Education & OGR Program Manager. In this role, Bertuldo will continue leading the OGR program, which includes re-launching its beloved summer camp in summer 2026. She’ll also explore integrations between OGR’s uniquely empowering curriculum and The Bay’s existing music education offerings, aiming to expand creative access for youth in both Omaha and Lincoln.
To mark this new chapter, The Bay board member Craig Meier, and wife Heather, have generously committed $10,000 in matching funds for donations made through June 23. These funds will support Omaha Girls Rock summer camp registration fees for families lacking means.
Donate here.
For more information about The Bay and its expanded programming, visit www.thebay.org.
Media Contact:
Django Greenblatt-Seay
django@thebay.org
402-201-8437
About The Bay: Since 2010, The Bay (501c3) has been a lifeline and launchpad for youth – a safe space to belong, create, and chart their future. Open late on nights and weekends, The Bay breaks down barriers by offering free or pay-what-you-can programming in music, art, media, fashion, and skateboarding. Focused on youth who are often overlooked, it’s a place to build community, find mentorship, and gain real-world skills.
