Compassion In Action Inc.

Teela  A.  Mickles  is  the  founder  and  CEO  of Compassion In Action (CIA) Inc., a faith based, non-profit organization  serving individuals confined  in  the Nebraska  Department  of  Correctional  Services  and families  affected  by  incarceration  since  1984.  When life  took  an  unfortunate  turn,  she  became  a  single parent  of  5  young  children,  now  successful  adults. She has 41 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

Ms.  Mickles  attended  college  late  in  life  while  developing  CIA’s  Pre-Release Education/Reentry Preparation  Program  and  holds  an  Associate’s  Degree  in Chemical  Dependency  Counseling.  She  is  an Ordained  Minister  on  staff  at Mission Church and a member of the Mayor’s Citizen Complaint Review Board. Ms.  Mickles has  been acknowledged for  her services  and  accomplishments  in the community by a variety of entities, through the years: The UNO Woman of Color  Award,  African  American  Leadership  Award, Heartland  Family  Services’ Family Advocacy Award, City of Omaha Community of Excellence, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services’ Partnership of the Year, Outstanding Non-Profit  Administrator  from  the Nebraska  Chapter  of  the  American  Society  for Public Administration and the Outstanding Community Service Award from  the University  of  Nebraska’s  School  of  Criminology  and  Criminal  Justice.  CIA,  in partnership  with  the  University  of  Nebraska  Medical  College  of  Public  Health, provided participants for their “Listen to  My  Story” Research Team to explore “Perspectives  of  African-American  Mothers  and  Male Offenders  on Violence in Omaha, NE.” 

Ms. Mickles was a candidate in the Nebraska Primary 2020 elections for State Senator of District 11. She believed then and now, that as we embrace the value of each person and unite, we can make significant progress in our community. She is the author of the book “What If” which is currently available on Amazon and the  CIA  office.  Ms.  Mickles  ascribes  the  success  and  longevity  of  the organization to her strong faith in God and belief that every person is valuable.  “If you’re not dead, God’s not done.”