Grow Omaha
Non-Profit News

Spark CDI and its urban design hub, the Fabric Lab, are hosting a groundbreaking for Phase 2 of the North Omaha Trail tomorrow, April 17, at 2 p.m. at 26th & Lake Street. Phase 2 of the trail follows a route from 24th & Ohio Street to the Baby Bob bridge downtown and is funded with $8 million from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Hillside Solution’s curbside composting program launches on April 20. Curbside Compost Club will be the city’s first residential composting service. More than 350 residents across city council districts 1 and 3 have already expressed interest, with more than 75 households signed up ahead of launch. Hillside Fund, the organization’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm, supports the mission by expanding access through education and sponsored memberships.

HomeWoven will hold a groundbreaking ceremony April 23 for an affordable housing construction project in South Omaha. The project will provide three affordable homes at 5449 South 51st Street and a total of five in South Omaha for income-qualified, first-time buyers. HomeWoven is a local nonprofit that provides home repairs, accessibility modifications and affordable homeownership opportunities.

Omaha chefs are participating in a one-night competition on April 24 at Zenia in Elkhorn benefitting Collective for Hope and its annual Comfort Food Classic. Now in its 19th year, the Comfort Food Classic coincides with Collective for Hope’s 25th anniversary. Participating restaurants include Against the Current, Le Voltaire and 30hop, with additional featured offerings from local vendors like Rebel Rise Bakery, a 100-percent gluten-free bakery.

CenterPointe announced that it has reimagined its annual fundraiser, Centered Together, which will take place on Thursday, May 14 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the CenterPointe WellBeing Garden on 11th Street. The event will bring the community together for an evening of connection, joy and impact. A short program beginning at 6:30 p.m. will highlight CenterPointe’s programs and mission and recognize outstanding individuals and organizations making a difference in the community.

April 15 is the third annual Avenue Scholars Day, which aims to shine a light on the organization’s summer boot camps. Held in collaboration with Metropolitan Community College and Clarkson College, the camps will provide hands-on training in healthcare, the skilled trades and transportation. These day camps help students explore career paths, earn certifications and prepare for future job opportunities.

Youth Emergency Services has announced the establishment of a permanent housing space at 2566 Farnam Street. The space, which will be called the YES House, will create a centralized location for housing and supportive services, expanding capacity and improving access to care as the demand for youth homelessness services continues to rise in Omaha. At full capacity, the YES House will include 24 apartments with 32 beds, offering young people safe places to land for the short- and medium-term. In addition to housing, the YES House will offer increased access to food, a clothing boutique, onsite mental health and nursing services, and stronger connections to community partners, ensuring youth can find the care, resources and support they need in one place when they need it.

The property already houses YES administrative offices, minimizing transition costs and allowing the organization to begin utilizing the building immediately. YES anticipates housing all staff and core services at the YES House by Fall 2027.

In partnership with Together, the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement is starting a food delivery program to support local immigrant and refugee families facing growing barriers to accessing groceries, including recent SNAP cuts and limited transportation. CIRA is asking for volunteers to pick up pre-packed groceries and deliver them directly to a family’s home.

MICAH House celebrated its 40th anniversary this week. The emergency shelter is located at 1415 Avenue J in Council Bluffs.

Registration is now open for the Reignite to Unite Development Symposium, which is returning for its third year on June 3 and 4. Presented by the Omaha Municipal Land Bank, SPARK CDI and Front Porch Investments, this event brings together professionals from across the development ecosystem who are eager to transform the region through equitable solutions for affordable housing, land activation and community development. This year’s keynote speaker is Charles Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns who was named one of the “10 Most Influential Urbanists” of all time by Planetizen.

SHARE Omaha is hosting its annual Do Good Days this month, inviting people all around the city to give back to local nonprofits and community organizations from April 22 to 25. Do Good Days is a way to discover and contribute to nonprofits that are shaping the community you want to live in. SHARE Omaha connects individuals and groups of all sizes with volunteering opportunities that fit their passions, schedules, skills and more.

On Deck Housing, a nonprofit which builds affordable homes in the Omaha metro, has opened a model home at 6775 Hamilton Street. The brand-new, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is valued at $220,000, although the model is not for sale. On Deck Housing is trying to build 12 similar homes in 2026.

Metropolitan Community College will host more than 100 high school students for its 2026 Automotive Career Exploration Day at the Automotive Training Center on the South Omaha Campus on Friday, April 3. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students will rotate through a variety of hands-on activities in lab areas with MCC instructors and industry partners. Activities include vehicle painting, dent repair, tire repair and more. Representatives from MCC industry-partner companies will present information about local career opportunities throughout the event.

Nick Koonce has been appointed to the board of directors of Lily Haven, a nonprofit dedicated to offering hope and healing to girls ages 14–18, who have survived human trafficking. Koonce is an accomplished security industry leader with more than a decade of diverse experience. He currently serves as the general manager at Atronic in Omaha. He has also worked with organizations such as Heart Heroes, Sammy Strong, 50 Mile March and Open Door Mission.

On April 1, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium officially switched to spring and summer hours, expanding to stay open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.