THE BENKELMAN STORY
May 16, 2019
MAY 2019 WEBINAR
Megan Spargo, a Benkelman CRA Coordinator, shared the Benkelman Story foundation story, which touches on a community gaining traction, getting community buy-in, and preparing a community for housing. The process that the Benkelman Story capitalizes on is INVESTING: invest in people, invest time & effort, invest in community improvements, providing investment vehicles, which leads to strategic positioning & success. This story touches on Benkelman, Nebraska's journey to start a housing project, starting with five vacant and dilapidated houses.
What comes after a successful housing project? Megan Weaver of Wakefield Progressive joins us to talk through the "after". Wakefield has had a number of successful housing initiatives over the past 12 years, but what is next? Megan is asking the question in hopes that the HomeNE Learning Network can give her a hand.
Dana Village in Blair, Nebraska is a unique project that shows how one man can change the world. Through a need to rid the Omaha area of homelessness, Ed Shada embarked on a journey to start Dana Village. Learn how one man is making a difference in Eastern Nebraska, assisting kids ageing out of the foster care system to get on their feet and find a path that works for them.
Spark’s mission is to help profoundly transform disinvested neighborhoods into prosperous and thriving communities. Communities like North Omaha have vacant, scattered infill lots that have remained dormant for years. The underlying economics that make development in distressed communities unprofitable remain unchanged. Hear how SPARK is activating an army of small-scale, mission-oriented, entrepreneurial developers with intimate local knowledge.
Spotlight - Trades on the Move: Hear from Michelle Lubken with Hamilton Communication as she spotlight a new program coming out the Central Region for 6 Regions 1 Nebraska.
