Interfaith Incorporation Transforms Park Avenue Neighborhood

Since September 2008 Omaha faith communities have served 17,000 free meals to residents of the Park Avenue neighborhood. Working together as the interfaith group “Neighbors United” these communities have also provided clothing, basic needs and social security services to their neighbors.

On May 27, 2010, 15 of the faith communities incorporated Neighbors United as a 501(c)3. The signing event was held at First Presbyterian Church, 216 South 34^th Street. All in the community was invited to celebrate this interfaith collaboration.

Neighbors United began in partnership with inCOMMON Community Development as part of inCOMMON’s asset-based approach to community organizing in the Park Avenue neighborhood. Brittany Hanson of inCOMMON says: “In January 2008 nearly 20 leaders from Park Ave came together to honestly discuss the condition of their local neighborhood — now over two years later Neighbors United has become a dynamic local leader in collaborative, neighbor-driven action and holistic development. Neighbors United has worked hard to be inclusive, authentic and community-based and it has paid off — we have a lot to celebrate!”  

Participating faith communities: First Lutheran Church, First United Methodist Church, Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, Metropolitan Community Church, First Unitarian, First Presbyterian Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, St. James United Methodist Church, Countryside Community Church, United Methodist Ministries, St. Peters Catholic Church, St. Johns Greek Orthodox, First Baptist Church, Simple Free, First Christian Church 

Contact for more information:

Brittany Hanson, Director of Neighborhood Development

Organization: inCOMMON Community Development

Telephone Number: 402.933.6672

Email Address: brittany@incommoncd.org

Website: http://incommoncd.org/ministries/neighborsunited/

 About Neighbors United:

Neighbors United, an inter-faith group of local faith leaders and parishioners in the Park Avenue neighborhoods working to collaboratively, creatively and dynamically respond in service to the assets, needs and concerns of local neighbors

The Problem

There is a troubling gap between people who have the ability, access and skills to benefit from computers and the Internet and those who do not.  This problem is commonly referred to as the Digital Divide, which has gained considerable support as an international problem. The truth is, this is as much of a problem right here in Omaha, as it is in Africa, India….

Omaha Digital Bridge is our solution. Our goal is to eliminate unemployment in Omaha and build contributors to our community. We do this by:  Serving the needs of the un– and under-employed; Equipping them to bridge the digital divide; and Deploying them with employable skills to serve others and our community.

Please help us help Omaha Digital Bridge by donating books,  movies, and music to FPC as listed below.