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PARTNER NEIGHBORHOODS

Community Building

Investment Areas

NeighborWorks Lincoln is in the process of identifying neighborhoods that have experienced historic disinvestment that will become the focus of the organization’s modified community building strategy. These “investment areas” will concentrate resources and attention where there is the greatest opportunity to reverse historic disinvestment, counteract racial inequities, and advance neighborhoods and residents. Through deep engagement and collaboration with residents, stakeholders, advocates, service providers, and other change agents, we will reverse the trends of historically disenfranchised neighborhoods. This work will be framed through an asset-based community development approach that leverages area strengths - as well as the skills and knowledge of collaborating organization - to improve neighborhood equity and independence.

Malone Neighborhood & Hawley Historic District

The Malone neighborhood is a historically Black/African-American neighborhood in Lincoln. The racist practice of redlining in the twentieth century segregated residents of color into limited areas in the city, leading to many Black residents finding a home in the Malone neighborhood and the establishment of a socially and culturally vibrant community for its transplanted residents. That would not last long, however, as many Black homeowners would be forced out of this neighborhood in an effort to construct a highway that would bisect the area. The highway project never manifested due to resident push-back; however, the impact of the project had already displaced a number of residents, which was further exacerbated by the property acquisition in the area by the University of Nebraska. This history is summarized in a series of videos and webinars that NeighborWorks Lincoln has produced.

NWL Malone History Videos:

The Hawley Historic District was established in the early 1990s and partially overlaps the Malone Neighborhood. This district was named after the architect who designed many of its early homes in the 19th century. Long-term residents of the district have worked to strengthen their neighborhood through connections and collaborative food production known as the “Hawley Hamlet”, Their neighbors have transformed their yards into usable growing spaces. In 2021, NeighborWorks America honored Hamlet’s resident organizers, Tim Rinne and Kay Walter (former and current NWL Board Member), with the Dorothy Richardson Award. In 2022, NWL’s local NeighborWorks Week celebrations featured the Malone/Hawley community with a block party that featured local musicians, eateries, and community resources, as well as a bike tour that highlighted NWL’s real estate improvement projects in the area and beyond.

NeighborWorks Lincoln (NWL) has maintained a presence in the Malone and Hawley neighborhoods for over 20 years, and its office has been located there since 2016. The organization has completed more than 55 real estate projects in the geography (see pictures below), including new builds and rehabs, since 2010. NWL has also been heavily involved in the North 27th Business Association/Corridor that borders the east side of the neighborhood. This long-term investment in the area was the center of the 2019 Community Impact Measurement (CIM) study of these neighborhoods. Thanks to previous CIMs/surveys, a comparison of the area over a 6-10-year period provided a greater understanding of the investment made and its impact on the area’s real estate and the resident experience. See the linked infographic that showcases the study’s findings.

In September 2022, CBE staff, along with a member of the Board attended an extensive six-week training on Asset Based Community Development. The team adapted lessons learned from this training to form the aforementioned engagement strategy for residents in the Malone/Hawley community. The ABCD strategy focuses on asset mapping and relationship building through learning conversations with residents and community stakeholders. From these conversations, information was collected on the more than 30 interviewee’s strengths, passions, issues and connections. As of December 2023, we have mapped more than 100 community assets, including individual residents in the Malone/Hawley community. Based on these efforts, the team worked with residents to host a spring neighborhood cleanup, a strengths-based summer club for youth at the Malone Community Center and the distribution of micro grants to resident defined community projects. We look forward to deepening our relationships with Malone/Hawley residents and supporting resident-led initiatives that bring neighbors together!

Explore our interactive map of the Malone/Hawley neighborhood that showcases the various assets in the area!

Support the Malone Little Free Pantry!

In late 2023, NeighborWorks relocated a Little Free Pantry to our property at 2530 Q St (located on 26th street side). We know that several in our community face food and nutrition insecurity, which is why we work together with community residents and partners to help keep the pantry stocked. Thank you to our partners at NP Dodge Realty, No Coast Junior Derby and the many residents who work together to provide food resources to our community! Click HERE for our Donations Flyer that includes a list of requested non-perishable foods and hygiene items.

Malone/Hawley Partners:

Looking to Connect? 

If you are interested in connecting with us regarding any of these opportunities or ways we can partner, please contact Community Builder, Tut Kailech, at tut.kailech@nwlincoln.org or at 402-477-7181 x 401

Capitol View Area: Expanding Across “O” Street to the South

WHY the Capitol View Area? 

We are exploring expansion of our work in this area based on: Existing Challenges (Social Vulnerability Index / Place Matters Maps) and Opportunities for Growth (Leveraging NWL Strengths & Partnerships).

Neighborhood Characteristics:

  • Area includes part of Woods Park, Downtown, Near South and Capitol View neighborhoods 
  • This area is largely residential (roughly 1,000 households)  and is primarily comprised of renters (90%)
  • Some commercial properties along corridors
  • Home to a number of non-profit / service organizations (including several existing partnerships)
  • Emerging Telegraph District impacting area
  • Thriving school communities at Elliott Elementary and Lincoln High School 
  • There are 3 low-income senior housing developments in the area
  • No current organization-based community building work beyond Community Learning Center (CLC) sites

Neighborhood Demographics: Census Tract 18  (Area Includes Part of Census Tract 17)

  • 11.5% of residents are Foreign-Born 
    • Partnerships established to help connect with residents who speak Spanish, Karen & Vietnamese
  • 15% of residents are under 18 years old; 6% over 65 
    • Partnerships established to support youth leadership and engagement opportunities
  • Median Household Income: $27,014
    • Lincoln Median Household Income - $67,846
    • 44.9 % of residents are living below the poverty level
    • Partnerships established to connect residents with local resources and opportunities to advance civic engagement and resident empowerment.

In 2024 we started diving into the long-term and mid-term outcomes we hope to impact over our long-term investment. Below reflects recent conversations to help us build our Comprehensive Community Development (CCD) approach & plan:

  • Long-Term Outcome: Capitol View is a place where residents feel they belong in their neighborhoods and are connected to their neighbors.
  • Mid-Term Outcomes & Corresponding Strategies:
    • Programs/Resources reinforce expansion of how residents currently experience belonging >>> Through:
      • Canvassing (CIM base line) + Intentional Partnerships + Support Resident Led Initiatives/Projects
    • Neighborhood Vision & Plan dictated by current residents & stakeholders >>> Through:
      • Asset Mapping + Neighborhood Visioning/Planning Meetings> Creation of Neighborhood Plan
    • Understanding Historical Impacts in area >>> Through:
      • Learning Conversations + Research + Place Activation + Community Storytelling & Celebrations

In 2024, we anticipate CB&E Team to lead relationship building with current residents/stakeholders to explore:

  • Baseline area data through Community Impact Measurement (CIM) analysis (NWA supported) - both property analysis and resident perception
  • Receptivity by residents/stakeholders to NWL investing CCD approach in area through CIM/learning conversations
  • Identify ways NWL program strengths can be leveraged in area for greater impact (inform short-term/mid-term outcomes & strategies) &
  • Continue ongoing CCD dialogue across NWL team to foster alignment and leadership

Looking to Connect? 

If you are interested in connecting with us regarding our work in the Capitol View Area including opportunities or ways we can partner, please contact Community Builder, Brent Lucke, at brent.lucke@nwlincoln.org or at 402-477-7181 x 104

Also, check out our calendar of events for future opportunities to join us out in the community!

 

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