Omaha chosen for grant

Omaha is one of 10 cities nationwide selected to receive a $200,000 grant to boost volunteerism among residents, Mayor Jim Suttle’s office said Tuesday.

The grant from the Rockefeller Foundation will allow Suttle to hire a chief service officer, who will create a comprehensive service plan for the city, said Ron Gerard, the mayor’s spokesman.

Volunteer opportunities will focus on at-risk youth and restoring neighborhoods, Gerard said. Service projects could include mentoring, after-school tutoring, graffiti removal and community gardens.

The chief service officer’s job will pay $70,000 annually, depending on the person’s experience, Gerard said.

“The existing level of community service in Omaha is already a role model for the nation,” Suttle said in a statement. “This grant allows our community to maximize our resources, further enhance the spirit of volunteerism, provide more guidance for at-risk youth and make our neighborhoods and our city even more beautiful.”

Omaha was one of 10 cities to get the grant. All are members of the Cities of Service Coalition, an outgrowth of a New York City program founded by Mayor Michael Bloomberg last April in response to President Barack Obama’s call for increased civic service.

Omaha joined the coalition in early December.

The other cities are Chicago; Detroit; Los Angeles; Nashville-Davidson, Tenn.; Newark, N.J.; Philadelphia; Sacramento, Calif.; Savannah, Ga.; and Seattle.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.

Contact the writer:

444-3100, maggie.obrien@owh.com