A partnership between Abide Omaha and Dundee Presbyterian Church

We Are Better Together

In support of Abide Omaha’s mission to revitalize the inner city one neighborhood at a time, DPC is supporting the renovation of a home as a local missions project this summer and fall. We are so excited to provide an opportunity for the church body to serve and love others in the name of Jesus. Specifically, to support the holistic approach by Abide that focuses on developing stronger families, safer neighborhoods, and emerging leaders.

A Lighthouse leader lives in the community and spends at time each week building relationships on the 2-3 blocks surrounding their home. Abide supports them with regular community building events like grill-outs, block parties, and neighborhood clean ups. Abide also supports them through programs for children, youth and adults that connect neighbors to the larger Abide community and the Better Together Campus.

It has been proven that there has been an up to 75% reduction in crime in the blocks around a lighthouse. Neighbors notice the difference: At the first neighborhood, and older neighbor said “It’s a good neighborhood,and we all keep to ourselves and mind our own business”. A year later, in that same neighborhood, a neighbor responded to a prospective renter’s question with, “It’s a good neighborhood. We all know each other and look out for each other. The kids can all play with each other here”.

About the Property:

The house is located at 3802 Paxton Boulevard, a few blocks from Omaha North High School and a short distance down the boulevard to Fontanelle Park. Located in the heart of the greater North Omaha area that Abide serves, it has many of the key elements desired for the lighthouse mission. This is a corner property that also includes an adjacent lot. A large front and side yard provides a welcoming setting for cookouts, block parties, and basketball.

About the Project:

The seller installed new windows and siding shortly before the closing on the purchase. The bulk of the work will be on the repair, remodeling and revamping inside the house and some work on the grounds. The goal is for a new Lighthouse family to move in by Christmas!

Upcoming work days on the 3rd Saturday from 9:30-12:00: September 19, October 17, November 21 and December 19. Regardless of ability, if you are interested in volunteering on one of these work days or be part of the volunteer pool for information on future dates, please e-mail doug.stewart@bellevue.edu. Thanks for joining in as we love our neighbors through this effort.

Work Day Summaries:

May 30

Our first workday at the house is a useful example of the collaborative effort between Dundee and Abide to serve alongside one another in mission and on this project. About 10-12 volunteers from Dundee and 8-10 staff and volunteers from Abide spread out and tackled multiple outside issues, including the clearing of downed trees, larger tree limbs and other brush.

July 11