An unforgettable Breaking the Silence with Ali Astin

Over the years, Community Alliance has maintained strong relationships with those who come to Omaha as Breaking the Silence speakers. We are lucky to have dear friends who are ready to step in at a moment’s notice — as the Astin family did for us at our 28th annual event. When our original featured speaker, Ginger Zee, was unable to travel due to Hurricane Milton, Ali Astin graced our audience of more than 500 attendees with inspiring remarks interspersed with kindness and wit. 

As a third-generation mental health advocate and actor, Ali continues the impactful legacy of her grandmother, Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke, and her father, acclaimed actor Sean Astin, both of whom are former Breaking the Silence speakers. Ali graduated from Harvard University, earning both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in dramatic arts, and is currently pursuing her PhD. Her research focuses on the intersection of storytelling and mental well-being, exploring how creative expression can facilitate emotional awareness. 

Using powerful storytelling throughout, Ali shared a series of compelling family stories, drawing upon her family’s experiences to emphasize the importance of open discussions about mental health and inspiring audience members to embrace empathy and creativity in nurturing a healthier society. She encouraged attendees to “be a beacon for what you stand for” and reminded us that “sometimes the most important people stand at the fringes of the spotlight.”

During the event, we also shared a video featuring impactful testimonials from people we’ve served, reminding us why the work we do in our community is important. Tracy, an employment services participant, said of her experience that “it’s wonderful to feel like I’ve landed somewhere where what I do matters.” Encouraging open conversations about mental health is what Breaking the Silence is all about, and we are grateful to John and Tracy for sharing their journeys.

The event was a tremendous financial success, raising much-needed funds to support the recovery journeys of the more than 5,000 individuals served by Community Alliance in 2024. 

Thank you to everyone — supporters, partners, families, staff and volunteers — who joined in Breaking the Silence 2024. We are grateful for you, and should you or a loved one ever need mental health or substance use services, we are here for you.