South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance

The Mission of SONA is to enhance South Omaha neighborhoods through communication, collaboration, empowerment and promoting positive perceptions.

The South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance we know today is the result of the merger of two community organizations which were both established in effort to better the lives the residents of the South Omaha through increased interactions and fostering a sense of community. 

SONA (South Omaha Neighborhood Association), a 501 c 3 non profit, had been formed in 1965, to improve the South Omaha community: to promote interest, education, and involvement of citizens in an effort to secure the best possible neighborhoods for all the residents.

On October 30, 1996 a coalition of neighborhood association officers representing the greater South Omaha area held its first organizational meeting; giving birth to South Omaha Neighborhood Action and Response, SONAR, (named by Susan Koneck). The boundaries were set at the Missouri River to 72nd St. and Harrison to Leavenworth St.  The founding neighborhood organizations included Spring Lake, H & L, Deer Park, Highland South, Christie Heights, Highland Park, Indian Hill, Karen Western, Columbus Park, Hanscom Park, Southside Acres, Weircrest, Southside Terrace and Social Settlement.  SONAR was formed to strengthen and support, through unity, the efforts of individual neighborhood organizations to improve the quality of life in South Omaha.

On December 11, 1997, during a regular SONAR meeting, a report was given to SONAR and SONA members on the merger proposal.  Because the two groups had common goals regarding the quality of life in South Omaha, it was unanimously decided to merge the two organizations.

The original SONA and SONAR thus officially became the current SONA.