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Willard Community Center has been incredibly fortunate to receive so many thoughtful donations throughout the summer and past few months. From books and toys to meals, fresh eggs, school supplies, and classroom materials, these donations have directly supported our programs and the children, families, and community members we serve.
We would like to extend a special thank you to:
We are grateful to have so many individuals, families, organizations, and community partners who think of Willard when they have items to share. These contributions help us stretch our resources further while providing new experiences and needed supplies throughout our programs.
Thank you for the generosity and support you continue to show Willard Community Center. We appreciate all the love our community has shown us!
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Willard Community Center invites area adults and seniors to join us for our September Adult & Senior Potluck on Wednesday, September 16, from 10:45–11:45 AM.
Come enjoy a delicious meal, friendly conversation, and time spent connecting with others in the community. Willard will provide the main dish, and attendees are welcome to bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Please RSVP by calling the Willard Community Center at 402-475-0805 so we can plan accordingly.
We hope you’ll join us for another great potluck!
Great news! Due to the popularity and continued interest in our American Mahjong classes, Willard Community Center is excited to make Mahjong an ongoing weekly offering.
Join us every Tuesday from 3:30–5:30 PM for an afternoon of Mahjong, conversation, and fun. Whether you’ve participated in one of our previous classes or are interested in learning and playing with others, we’d love to have you join us.
American Mahjong classes are part of Willard’s Adult & Senior Program and are a great opportunity to stay active, learn something new, and connect with others in the community.
Classes are held at Willard Community Center, 1245 S. Folsom Street.
Willard Community Center is currently hiring part-time staff to join our School-Age Program team!
If you enjoy working with children and are looking for a part-time position with a consistent weekday schedule, we would love to hear from you.
Available hours are Monday through Friday:
Our School-Age staff helps create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for children before and after the school day.
For more information or to apply, contact Caitlin Sharkey Scdoris, School-Age Director, at caitlins@willardcommunitycenter.org or 402-475-0805 ext. 102.
Willard Community Center is excited to officially welcome toddlers to our Early Explorers Early Childhood Program!
After several days of cleaning, painting, organizing, and preparing the space, our new toddler classroom is complete and has welcomed our first children this week. The addition of toddler care is another exciting step in the growth of Early Explorers and our continued effort to provide quality child care for families in our community.
Our toddler classroom provides a welcoming environment where children can learn, play, explore, and grow while building important social and developmental skills.
We still have toddler openings available! Families interested in learning more about the Early Explorers Toddler Program, enrollment, or scheduling a tour are encouraged to contact Kaylee Ohmart-Vollmer, Early Childhood Director, at 402-475-0805 ext 103.
We are excited to welcome our newest Early Explorers and look forward to watching this program grow!
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Explore the stories and legacies of people from across the world who came to the United States to homestead, and the powerful records they left behind about their experiences.
Learn how to research homestead land records.
Presented by: Dominic Dongilli, PhD, MALIS, Historian, Homestead National Historical Park
Willard Community Center is grateful to the Abel Foundation for its generous $10,000 grant in support of the Strong Beginnings initiative, helping expand high-quality infant and toddler care for families in our community.
The funding will support the continued growth of Willard's Early Explorers Early Childhood Program, which recently expanded to include infant and toddler classrooms. This initiative was developed in response to the growing need for quality early childhood education and care in Lincoln, providing families with safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environments during a child's most important early years.
The Strong Beginnings initiative reflects Willard Community Center's commitment to giving children the best possible start in life while helping meet the critical childcare needs of working families. By increasing access to licensed infant and toddler care, the program supports healthy child development, strengthens families, and contributes to a stronger community.
Willard Community Center sincerely thanks the Abel Foundation for its partnership and for believing in the importance of creating strong beginnings for the children and families we serve.
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Our Mahjong classes have been such a hit that we're excited to offer even more opportunities to play, learn, and connect! Whether you're continuing from our previous sessions or joining for the first time, everyone is welcome.
Upcoming Class Dates:
Time: 3:30–5:30 PM
Please note: There will be no class on August 11.
Space is limited, so we encourage participants to reserve their spot early. To RSVP or learn more, please contact Maureen at 402-475-0805.
Fall enrollment is now open for Willard Community Center's Early Explorers Early Childhood Program and School-Age Programs! Whether you're looking for high-quality early childhood education or dependable before and after-school care, our programs provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
Our Early Explorers Early Childhood Program serves children from infancy through preschool, offering age-appropriate learning experiences led by caring, experienced educators. Families are encouraged to schedule a tour to see our classrooms, meet our staff, and learn more about what makes our program special.
Willard also offers before and after-school care for students attending Roper Elementary and Lakeview Elementary schools. Our school-age program provides homework support, enrichment activities, outdoor play, creative projects, and a welcoming place for children before and after the school day.
Space is limited, and enrollment is filling quickly for the upcoming school year.
For questions about our Early Explorers Early Childhood Program or to schedule a tour, please contact:
Kaylee Ohmart-Vollmer
Early Childhood Director
kayleeo@willardcommunitycenter.org
402-475-0805, ext. 103
For questions about our School-Age Programs or enrollment for Roper Elementary or Lakeview Elementary students, please contact:
Caitlin Sharkey Scdoris
School-Age Director
caitlins@willardcommunitycenter.org
402-475-0805, ext. 102
We look forward to welcoming your family to Willard Community Center this fall!
Willard Community Center is proud to announce that it has received a $20,000 grant from the Cooper Foundation in support of the expansion of its Early Explorers Early Childhood Program. The funding will help increase access to high-quality infant and toddler care for families in Lincoln, addressing one of the community's most critical early childhood needs.
As the demand for infant and toddler care continues to outpace available openings across Lincoln, many families face lengthy waitlists and limited options for dependable, high-quality care. Willard Community Center's Early Explorers expansion was developed to help meet this growing need by creating additional infant and toddler classrooms that provide a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for young children.
The grant from the Cooper Foundation will support the resources needed to establish and enhance the new classrooms, ensuring children receive exceptional early learning experiences during the most important years of development. Expanding access to quality early childhood education also provides working families with reliable care, allowing parents to pursue employment and educational opportunities while knowing their children are in a supportive environment.
Willard Community Center remains committed to strengthening the Lincoln community by providing affordable, high-quality programs that help individuals of all ages grow, connect, and thrive. The organization extends its sincere appreciation to the Cooper Foundation for partnering with Willard to make this important expansion possible.
