History
Seven Oaks of Florence is affordable, independent, living for seniors. It is located
on the site of the former Notre Dame Academy in the Florence area of Omaha. Florence
and the Seven Oaks community have much in common. The residents of Florence have
long been a diverse social and economic group, active in their community, interested
in their neighborhood, and supportive of family, business, historic and artistic
activities. Seven Oaks of Florence is patterned after the community it serves, providing
the opportunity for aging persons of all faiths to remain an active part of the
community in which they lived and worked and raised their families.
In 1990 the Notre Dame Sisters, while studying the possible uses for the former
Notre Dame Academy building and grounds, found that Florence and the surrounding
area of northeast Omaha showed a need for affordable independent senior housing.
A total of 1,507 elderly households were eligible for HUD Section 202 housing, yet
there was not adequate subsidized housing available in the area, forcing long-time
residents to search outside their supportive community for help as they aged and
their income levels remained the same or decreased.
Seven Oaks of Florence was conceived to meet this need. The Notre Dame Sisters remain
involved with Notre Dame Housing Inc. as an extension of their mission to help the
unmet needs of others. The first building of one-bedroom apartments subsidized by
HUD for very low-income elderly was completed in July, 1997. The second building
of one-bedroom apartments subsidized by HUD was completed in September 1998. The
third section of Seven Oaks consists of one, two-bedroom and studio apartments for
low- to middle-income elderly. Building Three was created in the East wing of the
convent building, where the former Notre Dame Academy classrooms were located. This
renovation was financed with funds from historic tax credits, foundation and corporation
grants, donations from individuals, HOME funds from the City of Omaha and Low Income
Housing Tax Credits. This third phase was ready for occupancy in January 1999.
Now in full operation, Seven Oaks of Florence is fulfilling the vision of the Notre
Dame Sisters, allowing its residents to "age in place" in a setting where they feel
safe, experience dignity, and know that the spiritual dimension of their lives is
honored.
The community of Florence is part of the larger city of Omaha, Nebraska. In addition
to all the cultural and economic advantages of Omaha, Florence has its own unique
flavor and heritage.
The Omaha Tribe of Native Americans was the first historical inhabitant of the area.
In the 1840's the Mormon migration to Utah led to the establishment of a staging
area that became known as Winter Quarters. In 1854 James C. Mitchell established
the town of Florence. By 1917 Florence was annexed by the city of Omaha. Unlike
many annexed small towns, the people of Florence have continued to foster a sense
of their own identity.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has maintained an interest in the
area that centered around the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery. In recent years the Mormon
Trail Center was built to accommodate visitors to the cemetery. The Latter Day Saints
have dedicated a temple to the south of the cemetery, and have opened a bookstore
in Florence. Each year more than 10,000 visitors come to this area.
The Florence Historical Foundation maintains historical buildings in Florence that
are made available to the public, including the Bank of Florence Museum, Mormon
Bridge Toll House, the Florence Depot Museum, the Maud Keirle House and the original
Florence fire house. Activities sponsored by the Florence Historical Foundation
include Florence Days celebration each May, various shows by the amateur company
Florentine Players, Holiday Tree Lighting of Florence Park in December, and Holiday
Open House at Keirle House.The Florence area also boasts restaurants, drug stores,
medical clinics, a motel, auto and auto body repair shops, florists, and many other
services and shops.
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