Dear Creighton Community,
The announcement earlier this week that Omaha has been selected to receive a $25 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for North Omaha redevelopment is welcome and exciting news.
I am proud that Creighton University has joined with community, business, government, and philanthropic leaders to dream, plan, and work collaboratively with area families and residents to develop a bold vision for North Omaha.
This collaborative spirit, according to news reports, was instrumental in Omaha being named one of only three cities nationwide that will receive funding this year through HUD’s Choice Neighborhood Initiative.
I applaud the City of Omaha and the Omaha Housing Authority for having the foresight and confidence to apply for this competitive five-year grant, and congratulate the many organizations and individuals whose diligent efforts helped its presentation become a reality.
Indeed, this is a major accomplishment, one that positively affects our entire community.
While together we celebrate this grant award, we also realize that much work needs to be done, and, at Creighton, we remain committed continuing to build and nurture relationships that will further this momentum.
To that end, I am extremely grateful to North Omaha neighbors and leaders who have been so receptive and welcoming in meeting with me and other Creighton officials on our Presidential Committee on Community Engagement. I truly value the friendships and partnerships we have formed. We continue to engage in listening sessions and dialogue as we chart our collective future, and I am hopeful these conversations will bear much fruit.
The funds from this grant will build more than 400 apartments, townhomes and homes; it will also further the development of the Highlander Community – of which Creighton University is an engaged partner.
Creighton University at Highlander supports the community and serves as a resource for facilitating and implementing community-driven projects and programs. The emphasis of Creighton at Highlander is on educational programs focusing on health and well-being for individuals and the community. Highlander is being developed in partnership with the 75 North Revitalization Corps.
While we prepare for commencement ceremonies this weekend, awarding degrees to nearly 1,900 graduates from across the nation and around the world, Creighton University remains deeply rooted in our own community here in Omaha, inspired by a Jesuit tradition that calls us to greater dialogue and communion with our neighbors as, together, we seek a better world.
Sincerely,
Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD
President
Creighton University
