Civic Nebraska honors Evelyn Martinez with the 2026 Community Builder Award for building trusted connections among Fremont residents, organizations and essential resources, especially for families facing language and cultural barriers.
In moments of uncertainty, people need more than information. They need someone they trust. For thousands of Fremont residents, that person is Evelyn.
Following the devastating 2019 flood, Evelyn created Comunidad Unida de Fremont NE to ensure Spanish-speaking residents could receive timely news, critical information and support. What began as a response to an immediate need has grown into one of Fremont’s most trusted bilingual community platforms, now reaching more than 6,700 people.
Every day, Evelyn voluntarily shares information about health services, schools, public safety, jobs, community events and local resources. She also amplifies the work of organizations across Fremont, helping residents find opportunities and services that can improve their lives.
Community building is not simply part of her job—it is who she is. She is constantly looking for ways to connect people, elevate organizations and ensure that every resident feels seen, valued and included.
Evelyn has brought that commitment to her community for 25 years. As a bilingual Community Health Worker at Three Rivers Public Health Department, she works across healthcare providers, schools, nonprofits, businesses, law enforcement and local government to connect residents with health education, prevention programs, emergency information and other essential services.
She also serves as a Health Associate at Lincoln Premium Poultry and a bilingual Realtor with NP Dodge. Across each role, Evelyn’s purpose remains the same: listen with compassion, break down barriers and help people find the resources they need.
Her leadership is especially visible when her community faces uncertainty. Evelyn established and continues to lead the Fremont Response Team, a collaborative network that verifies reports of immigration enforcement activity before sharing information with residents. By working with trusted partners, the team helps combat misinformation, reduce fear and connect families with credible guidance and support.
Evelyn was also part of the team that created the Fremont Hispanic Festival. Now celebrating its fifth year, the festival brings together thousands of residents to celebrate Hispanic culture and strengthen unity, inclusion and belonging across the community.
Her relationship with Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity offers another example of how Evelyn turns opportunity into service. More than 13 years ago, she partnered with Habitat to purchase her home. She then spent years helping other families pursue the same opportunity, completing a six-year term on its Board of Directors and continuing to volunteer on its Family Selection and Family Support committees.
As a trusted bridge between Habitat and Fremont’s Spanish-speaking community, Evelyn has translated homeowner orientations, meetings and special events so families feel informed and welcomed. During the 2019 flood, she helped Habitat reach Spanish-speaking survivors with critical information, resources and hope. Several times each year, Evelyn and her family also prepare and serve meals for Habitat construction and ReStore volunteers.
Her service stretches across Fremont through the Chamber’s Hispanic Council, Spanish Networking Group, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and other boards and collaborative initiatives. Whether she is welcoming a new business, connecting a family with healthcare or lending a hand at a community event, Evelyn leads through relationships.
Receiving the Community Builder Award is both emotional and motivating for Evelyn.
“I am truly blessed and still in shock. Being nominated was an honor in itself, but receiving this award means the world to me. I take immense pride in this recognition because it shows that the work I am doing is making a real difference for my community.”
For Evelyn, the recognition is not a finish line. It is encouragement to keep moving forward and continuing the work she loves. Above every professional title and civic role, she is also a devoted mother, daughter and sister who believes family must always come first.
That belief in caring for others has been part of Evelyn’s life since childhood.
“Civic engagement is a fundamental part of who I am. I was raised with a true heart to help others and the humility to connect with everyone. I have always had a deep passion for helping those around me—even as a first-grader, I was advocating for my classmates!”
Today, Evelyn uses her knowledge and voice to advocate for people who may feel unheard or held back by fear. Just as importantly, she invites others to stand beside her.
“I believe in bringing others along with me in this advocacy, because together, we are powerful. To me, democracy is about using that collective voice to lift each other up and build a stronger community.”
Evelyn Martinez is a Community Builder because she does more than connect people with resources. She helps people connect with one another, recognize their collective power and build a community in which everyone can feel informed, welcomed and supported.
Meet Evelyn and her fellow honorees at the Strengthening Democracy Awards on Sept. 17.
2026 Community Builder Honorable Mention
Isaac Remboldt