our mission

Where we grow up matters.

Kids who grow up in poor neighborhoods are far more likely to become adults living in poverty. These vulnerable neighborhoods lack the basic building blocks young people need to succeed later in life such as safe streets and play spaces, social support networks, high performing schools, affordable housing, and employment opportunities.

inCOMMON believes no one should have to face a lifetime of poverty simply because of the zip code they grew up in.

The mission of inCOMMON Community Development is to alleviate poverty at a root level by uniting and strengthening vulnerable neighborhoods. inCOMMON partners with neighbors to strengthen vulnerable neighborhoods so that every child has the chance to grow up in a safe, thriving, and opportunity-rich environment.

letter from the directors

Each year as we compile this report, we are blown away by what our neighbors accomplish as they work together to build their neighborhoods into places of strength and opportunity.

As you read, we hope you, like us, continue to be inspired by their work, as well as their stories of hope and joy as they strive to realize their own goals while creating neighborhoods where future generations can flourish.

This generational impact wouldn’t be possible without you – the volunteers, donors, board members, staff, and partners – the many hands that support our neighbors’ success by ensuring local leaders have the tools and resources they need to create deep-rooted change. 

We can’t thank you enough for being a part of the inCOMMON community, and are beyond grateful for your ongoing support in “alleviating poverty at a root level by uniting and strengthening vulnerable neighborhoods.” 

With great gratitude, Rachel & Christian

individual development

our work

220

TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY
INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

11

ELEVEN
INDIVIDUALS BECAME US CITIZENS

*read Josefina’s story here

51

FIFTY-ONE
INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER EDUCATION

88%

EIGHTY-EIGHT PERCENT
OF ESL STUDENTS IMPROVED THEIR ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

*watch Sulvey & Miguel’s story here

35

THIRTY-FIVE
PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED JOB READINESS TRAINING

90%

NINETY PERCENT
OF PARTICIPANTS MADE PROGRESS TOWARD THEIR GOALS

leadership development

our work

259

TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE
NEIGHBORS PARTICIPATED IN A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY

20

TWENTY
NEIGHBORS GRADUATED FROM LOCAL LEADER SCHOOL

3

THREE
NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECTS WERE LED BY NEIGHBORS

14

FOURTEEN
YOUTH TRAINED AND HIRED AS COMMUNITY CONNECTORS

*read Salina & Juan’s story here

neighborhood development

our work

1

ONE
TRANSFORMED EMPTY LOT (WALNUT HILL SKATE RAMP PARK)

206

TWO HUNDRED AND SIX
NEIGHBORS PROVIDED AFFORDABLE AND DIGNIFIED HOUSING

12

TWELVE
NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP EVENTS

4

FOURTH YEAR OF THE PARK AVE SOCCER CLUB

42 participants

2

TWO FUTSOL TOURNAMENTS

60 participants

*watch the Park Ave Futsol story here

our community

PARTICIPANTS, VOLUNTEERS, & STAFF

479

FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-NINE
UNIQUE PARTICIPANTS

20% have household incomes less than $25,000/yr

83% of participants were new to inCOMMON

167 + 1,370

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SEVEN UNIQUE VOLUNTEERS
ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY VOLUNTEER HOURS

65%

SIXTY-FIVE PERCENT
OF INCOMMON STAFF LIVE IN PARK AVE OR WALNUT HILL

partners

THANK YOU

  • CENTER FOR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT
  • CITYLIGHT OMAHA
  • CITY SPROUTS
  • COALITION FOR A STRONG NEBRASKA
  • FAMILY HOUSING ADVISORY SERVICES
  • FEED THE PEOPLE OMAHA
  • GOODWILL OMAHA
  • HANSCOM PARK STUDIO
  • HEARTLAND WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
  • INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS
  • KEEP OMAHA BEAUTIFUL
  • KINDNESS KITCHEN
  • OMAHA MUNICIPAL LAND BANK
  • NEBRASKA CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TABLE
  • NONPROFIT ASSOCIATION OF THE MIDLANDS
  • SAVING GRACE PERISHABLE FOOD RESCUE
  • SECRET PENGUIN
  • SKATE FEST OMAHA
  • SPARK
  • STEP-UP OMAHA
  • TOGETHER OMAHA
  • WALNUT HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

community development board

GEORGE ACHOLA

DR. MICHAEL BEVERLY (treasurer)

WYNTER DAVIS

JOSH COATES

AJI GEORGE (secretary)

DAVID MILLIGAN (vice chair)

JOSE NAPIER

MELANIE PHELAN (chair)

ALYSIA RADICIA

AARON TOMITA

JESSICA WARDLOW

GEORGE ACHOLA (chair)

RACHEL BAHL (secretary)

RYAN DURANT (vice chair)

CHRISTIAN GRAY

JIM RIEKER (treasurer)

JULIE STAVNEAK

BUEY TUT

financials

289 donors partnered in inCOMMON’s mission in 2024

neighborhood-wide data

PARK AVENUE

  • 17.4% DECREASE IN POVERTY RATES
  • 15.3% INCREASE IN GRADUATION RATES
  • 11% DECREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME

*since inCOMMON’s presence in Park Avenue (2012)

WALNUT HILL

  • 4.2% DECREASE IN POVERTY RATES
  • 1.8% INCREASE IN GRADUATION RATES
  • 16% DECREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME

*since inCOMMON’s presence in Walnut Hill (2018)

join us

Because of you, in 2024 hundreds of lives have been set on a new course toward real opportunity and hope:

  • today’s neighbors are overcoming poverty through increased economic self-sufficiency
  • tomorrow’s neighbors are evading poverty altogether as a result of growing up in a stronger environment
  • surrounding neighborhoods are benefiting from the increased safety and stability that comes with the development of vulnerable neighborhoods

Please join us in making an even greater impact in 2025 through a donation today!