In October of 2008 The Iowa West Foundation announced a $725,000 commitment over a five-year period to a neighborhood initiative in Council Bluffs and other communities in Pottawattamie County.  Following an independent county-wide community needs assessment in late 2007, the Foundation made neighborhood transformation one of its top two goals in 2008 with the other being educational attainment. As a result of the committed funding, The Neighborhood Center, which is affiliated with the University of Nebraska Omaha, has opened an office in Council Bluffs.

“Our Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors realized that neighborhoods are a key component of an area’s quality of life,” said Todd Graham, the Foundation’s Executive Director and CEO, “and there are many unique neighborhoods and opportunities in Council Bluffs and local communities.”

The City of Council Bluffs followed on the heels of Iowa West’s support when the City Council and Mayor Tom Hanafan adopted and approved a resolution supporting the neighborhood initiative, and allocated $80,000 to the program.

“The establishment of a Neighborhood Center office would be an historic step,” said Nate Watson of the Fairmount Park Neighborhood Association.  “Members of growing neighborhood associations throughout the area want to thank Iowa West and the City for their support.”

The initiative includes four strategies:

• engaging local residents and increasing community pride;
• focusing geographically for impact;
• improving housing conditions; and,
• strengthening small towns in Pottawattamie County.

The Pottawattamie County Community Needs Assessment was completed in 2007, and was a grassroots effort including a survey of nearly 1,000 residents.  Educational attainment, specifically increasing high school graduation rates and achieving bachelor degrees, was rated the top need and neighborhoods was also near the top. 

Citizens, local leaders, and non-profit organizations cited the need to build community communication in neighborhoods, as well as improve housing and make physical improvements in local areas. 

The assessment said the result would continue the increase of “community pride.” Neighborhood Center Executive Director Ron Abdouch feels strong community organizations are the foundation of lasting community infrastructure. 

“Neighborhood associations in growing communities have always been the first step in fostering better, safer and more enjoyable communities to live in,” Abdouch says.  “We’re convinced this partnership will do the same for the Council Bluffs area.”

The mission of The Neighborhood Center is “to build capacity and strengthen neighborhoods in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie County.”  Established in 2001, it is the only comprehensive community-based organization in the metropolitan area that is dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods.

For more information on The Neighborhood Center go to www.unomaha.edu/ncenter.