A south Omaha group that works to address health issues among other community improvement efforts has drawn recognition from a national United Way figure.

Alexander Sanchez, United Way senior vice president of community impact, honored the South Omaha Community Care Council during an appearance Thursday night in Omaha.

The council formed 10 years ago by the University of Nebraska Medical Center as a partnership with south Omaha community groups to address health needs.

The group focuses on community improvement. Besides distributing health information, group members have taken on efforts to curb youth violence, train interpreters and start the annual Heartland Latino Leadership Conference.