NeighborWorks Lincoln teamed up with Nebraska Wesleyan University students to organize Lincoln's first cash mob at Northside Caf� on a Wednesday evening in March. A Cash Mob is spreading the word to assemble at a certain time and meet at a certain business to spend money. The goal was to support a small, locally owned business and to encourage folks to check out a new place they had never been.

The five students who organized the event used twitter and Facebook to spread the word to encourage the public to visit the business. The restaurant owner, Dustin Garrett stated that he typically serves 60 customers on a Wednesday. He counted over 100 diners that night. "Most of them, I'd never seen before and hopes to get to know some of them better," he said.

The project was unique in the fact that a non-profit organization, a university and a business used social media to help encourage the support of locally owned businesses. There are plans to organize more cash mobs in the near future.

The event was featured on the front page in the Lincoln Journal Star on March 20, 2012. If you would like more information or would like to get involved with future cash mobs, please e-mail sryba@nwlincoln.org or visit NeighborWorks Lincoln on Facebook.

The University Place Community Market (UPCM) is a grass roots project developed by University Place Community Organization board members and residents. The idea for the market was conceived by a group of residents in 2010 while attending a NeighborWorks sponsored resident leadership workshop in Louisville, Kentucky. Last year, the market's first, was a solid success.

In recognition of UPCO and NeighborWorks Lincoln's efforts last year the market was recognized with this year's Community Development Week Award. Residents attended the Governor's CD Week Award ceremony and were presented with a plaque from Governor Heineman. The City of Lincoln's annual Community Development Week Award recognizes excellence in the use of federal Community Development Block Grant funding - specifically projects that maximize the beneficial community impact per dollar spent.

This year UPCM hopes to improve the market experience with renovation to the market site and the installment of electrical outlets. The market opens Wednesday, June 13th. The market will be open every Wednesday from 3-7 PM until mid-September and is located at 48th & Madison Streets. Visitors will find fresh produce, baked goods, crafts and food truck vendors. Entertainment will be provided by local musicians and artists.

See all of Lincoln's markets at Buy Fresh, Buy Local. 

Trish Dike, long time resident of Malone/Hawley neighborhood used the

Before

word "nightmare" to describe the property right across the street from her at 245 N. 25th Street. Dike stated that it was one of the most poorly kept houses in the neighborhood for years. There was constant turnover with renters, was poorly maintained and always had the attention of law enforcement and health and safety inspectors. There was constant criminal activity and so many people coming and going. I did not know who even lived there. The owner and tenants didn't care much about the neighborhood.

That all changed when NeighborWorks Lincoln purchased the property last year and has made significant renovations. NeighborWorks Lincoln also bought two other properties on either side of it, rehabilitated them and put home owners in them. They are both my neighbors now and I know them well, Dike reports. Trish states that 245 N. 25th Street was always the worst, but she is anxious to meet the new neighbors who move in because it is such a lovely home now. The house will be for sale in the spring.

The renovation of these properties and others like them in theneighborhood has increased property values and has given residents peace of mind. It is so good to have other homeowners around me who share my values and interests in improving the neighborhood they live in, said Dike. Since Trish has bought her home, she has completed a number of home improvement projects which include landscaping, painting, garage repair and interior updates.

After

When I bought my house over 10 years ago my realtor told me, "If we can just get some homeowners in the area, the neighborhood will turn around." And when I told my church where I was buying my house, they asked, "Aren't you worried about your safety?" Trish says, the neighborhood is turning around for the best and now the only way I am leaving my house, is feet first.