Voice

This PBS documentary explores how other cities have dealt with, and continue to deal with, transportation planning and how their choices affect their cities. There is a lot of interesting information about Denver’s beltway and Portland’s mass transit, both of which are very relevant to the conversations happening in Omaha now.

Blueprint America: Road to the Future, an original documentary part of a PBS multi-platform series on the country’s aging and changing infrastructure, goes to three very different American cities — Denver, New York and Portland, and their surrounding suburbs — to look at each as an example of the challenges and possibilities the country faces as citizens, local and federal officials, and planners struggle to manage a growing America with innovative transportation and sustainable land use policies.

No Comments »

As many of you know, VOICE has been focusing our attention lately on urban design and its affects on social mobility and equal opportunity. Specifically, we have been discussing how the proposed beltway around Omaha will not only impact transportation within our city, but also social mobility and equal opportunities for areas of our community that are already hurting, like North Omaha. This recent article in the Omaha World Herald outlines the complicated issues surrounding this area of our city and, most importantly, how you can get involved to help eliminate the epidemic poverty and violence in our community.

No Comments »

On Friday, February 26, people passionate about impacting our community will gather at Creighton University to learn more about social enterprise. It’s the first event of its kind in the region. Stephen A. Vogel from Grameen America, a microfinance nonprofit organization that provides loans, savings programs, credit establishment and other financial services to entrepreneurs living below the poverty line, will be the keynote speaker. Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to listen to speakers share personal, proven formulas for improving the lives of others and attend provocative breakout sessions with fellow advocates. For more information or to register online: www.socialimpactomaha.org.

SOCIAL IMPACT FORUM
February 26, 2010
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Creighton University
Mike & Josie Harper Center for Student Life & Learning

No Comments »

Urban design and social justice are complex issues that will require a coordinated effort by many to effect change. Below are recommendations from our members who attended the public meeting.

No Comments »

At the VOICE Public Meeting, the panelists provided a rich discussion on a broad range of topics, including historic patterns of development and growth in Omaha, and how our city’s culture and community would be affected should a beltway be built. The panelists all agreed that the link between transportation and social mobility is strong; urban design, they said, has a direct effect on equal opportunity. Citing initial expenses and long-term costs, de-centralization (of jobs, money, population) from the city’s eastern core, continued sprawl, the over-extension of infrastructure, and concerns about how a beltway would negatively affect east Omahans, the panel generally advocated in favor of expanding and improving the public transportation system, rather than committing all of our money and energy to a beltway. By the end of the meeting, the attendees were in agreement with the panelists, moving into a spirited discussion about how VOICE could help educate the public and build momentum around a movement to develop transportation in Omaha, rather than around it.

No Comments »

There is a wave of discussion regarding the upcoming School Board elections. Some would say the School Board is the key to creating any significant change to the gargantuan system that is Omaha Public Schools.

If you have been paying attention to the Building Bright Futures movement or read the Pew Report, you are well aware of the need for comprehensive change in how we educate and support our youth. The overall graduation rate in the Omaha Metropolitan Area is 80%, leaving 20% of students not graduating on-time, having dropped out or having pursued a GED. Neglecting the minds of our youth is unacceptable for Omaha.

Consider putting some energy towards the upcoming school board elections. Our public school boards deserve the brightest, creative system thinkers this city has to offer.

1 Comment »

Transportation is a hot topic in Omaha these days, and the recent honor awarded to Mexico City’s bus system from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government made us wonder if all that’s going on is actually going to result in a more sustainable transportation system in Omaha. While great new programs such as the new Pass to Class partnership between Metropolitan Community College and Metro Area Transit are sure to increase ridership on the Omaha bus system, Omaha’s culture is largely rooted in automobile trips. Are the decisions our leaders are making related to this issue in the best interest of all Omahans, or just those who can afford to own and operate a vehicle? This question and ones like it will be explored at the next VOICE Public Meeting. We hope you can make it.

1 Comment »

Impact One is part of the Empower Omaha movement working to improve the quality of life in North Omaha. Recently before the Nebraska Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, they shared details of the last two years of gang violence intervention strategies, which have netted positive results. Interim Police Chief Alex Hayes and former Police Chief Tom Warren both testified that gang violence intervention efforts are making a dent in the violence experienced in North Omaha. The strategy includes employing former gang members as intervention specialists who work to deter retaliation shootings. Governor Dave Heineman has made it clear that none of the $350,000 in grant funds available through the newly created state Office of Violence Prevention may be used for such efforts, simply because they employ former gang members. According to the Governor’s press release, however, the funds should be allocated to programs that show measured results preventing street and gang violence. If you want to see the funds distributed to Impact One and Empower Omaha, contact the governor’s office and request that the funds be distributed to a worthy organization.

No Comments »