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Projects Make a Difference in Inner-City Neighborhoods
NeighborWorks® Lincoln and neighborhood residents from the Clinton, Hartley and Hawley/Malone made a difference by coordinating many neighborhood improvement projects throughout the month of October. "Projects like this help me take pride in my neighborhood" says said Donna Epp, a volunteer resident of the Clinton Neighborhood, "it was nice to see people getting involved and it gives a lot of people a sense of belonging. It is just neat when I see people out working and making a difference". The neighborhood projects coincided with National Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 27th.Volunteer projects included trimming trees, applying mulch, weed removal, litter and graffiti clean up and mowing. Janice Kirchoff a Hartley Resident said "I had a good experience volunteering. It made me feel like I was contributing to making our neighborhood cleaner and safer. The other volunteers were great! I walk my dog daily through the neighborhood and now with the graffiti gone it just feels safer and just looks so much better. I think we all need to clean up graffiti to keep ownership of our neighborhoods and support the people who are working hard to keep their homes and yards looking nice." A summary of the neighborhood improvement events are:
• October 6th: Mulched trees in Lintel Park and graffiti clean up at 22nd & Dudley Streets. Twelve volunteers from University Lutheran Chapel and Clinton Neighborhood participated.
• October 13th: Mulched trees in Pentzer Park, litter clean up in Hartley Neighborhood and graffiti clean up at 21st & Dudley Streets. Thirty-one volunteers from Clinton Neighborhood and the Lancaster County Department of Community Corrections participated.
• October 24th: Graffiti clean up on six properties located in the Clinton and Hartley Neighborhoods. Six volunteers from multiple neighborhoods participated.
• October 26th: Mulched trees in Trago Park. Eleven volunteers from YouthBuild participated.
• October 27th: Mulched trees and litter clean up in Trago Park, landscaping and yard maintenance of vacant lot at 23rd & T Streets. Ten volunteers from Malone/Hawley Neighborhoods and Juvenile Drug Court of Lancaster County participated.
The events were a success not only in cleaning up the neighborhoods, but in getting neighbors involved in helping out each other. "It was great to see the instant gratitude from the resident that had his garage tagged with graffiti. You could tell he really appreciated our efforts! I believe that improving the look of our neighborhood makes the neighbors and neighborhood feel safer! I had a great experience volunteering" said Beckie Tuttle a Hartley Resident. The participating volunteer groups included Lancaster County Department of Corrections, Juvenile Court of Lancaster County, University Lutheran Chapel, and YouthBuild. Paint and paint supplies were furnished by Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department, The Home Depot and Lowe's. Yard tools and mulch were provided by the City of Lincoln Parks & Recreation Department.
Resident volunteers who helped make the projects successful are Russ Irwin, Maurice Baker, Donna and Kelly Epp, and Bob Reeves (Clinton Neighborhood); Tim Francis, Peggy Struwe, Jane Mehrens (Hawley Neighborhood); Mark Meyer, Brett Beermann, Ed Patterson, Barb Morley (Malone Neighborhood); Beckie Tuttle and Janice Kirchoff (Hartley Neighborhood); and Wes Juranek (East Campus Neighborhood).
Future neighborhood projects are currently being planned for spring 2008. For additional information or have project ideas contact Shawn Ryba at 477-7181 or sryba@nwlincoln.org
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The First UNL House was Finished inSpring of 2006
This 1450 square foot home was designed by UNL College of Architecture students, who, under the supervision of Eric Knoll, also helped frame the structure. The innovative plan features a passive solar design, with an interior block wall that absorbs heat during the day. General contractor Ken Inness notes that the three bedroom, one bath home also has high energy windows and a 92% efficiency furnace.Lincoln Rotary #14 members volunteered time to help insulate and paint the interior.
The house was also built to current ADA standards, and a first-time homebuyer has purchased the property and moved in. New homeowner Cecilia says, "The builder installed a ramp in the garage. With the ramp, the house is magnificently manageable using a power wheel chair." Making the home accessible will enable Cecilia to remain in her home as her needs change. Not only did Cecilia get as she says her "dream home", but in a wonderful neighborhood as well; "the community of LIncoln has already proven to be frendly and active. It will be my privilege to be able to contribute and be a member of this community."
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