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.
Willard Community Center is honored to announce that we have received a $5,000 grant from The Further Foundation in support of our Adult & Senior Program.
This generous funding will help us continue expanding opportunities for older adults in our community to stay active, connected, and engaged. Through educational workshops, wellness classes, social gatherings, arts programming, and intergenerational activities, our Adult & Senior Program is designed to reduce social isolation while promoting lifelong learning and healthy aging.
Since launching the expanded program, participation has continued to grow as more adults and seniors discover a welcoming place to build friendships, learn new skills, and remain active in the community. Support from partners like The Further Foundation allows us to continue offering meaningful programming while keeping activities accessible and affordable for participants.
Willard Community Center extends its sincere appreciation to The Further Foundation for their commitment to strengthening communities and supporting programs that improve the quality of life for adults and seniors in Lincoln.
Have you been curious about Mahjong or looking for a fun new game to learn? Join us for a three-week Mahjong class series!
📅 July 14, 21, and 28
⏰ 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Willard Community Center
Whether you're brand new to the game or just need a refresher, these classes will help you learn the basics while having fun and meeting new friends.
Willard Community Center is grateful to announce that General Dynamics - ECAC Lincoln Chapter has awarded the organization a $3,500 grant in support of the expansion of its Early Explorers program to include infant and toddler care.
The funding will help provide resources needed to prepare new classrooms and create a safe, nurturing environment where infants and toddlers can learn, grow, and thrive. The expansion will increase access to high-quality early childhood education for families in Lincoln while helping address the community's ongoing need for additional infant and toddler care.
"We are incredibly thankful to General Dynamics - ECAC Lincoln Chapter for their generous support," said Sarah Reinke, Executive Director of Willard Community Center. "Their investment is helping us take an important step toward expanding our Early Explorers program and providing more families with access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education during one of the most important stages of a child's development."
The Infant & Toddler Program Expansion is part of Willard Community Center's continued commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the Lincoln community. The expansion will allow Willard to serve infants and toddlers while maintaining the high standards of care and education families have come to expect from the Early Explorers program.
Willard Community Center extends its sincere appreciation to General Dynamics - ECAC Lincoln Chapter for investing in the future of our community's youngest learners. Their generosity will have a lasting impact on local children and families for years to come.
Willard Community Center is proud to partner with the YMCA of Lincoln to host Fit for Life classes, offering adults a fun and welcoming way to stay active while connecting with others in the community.
The next session begins Tuesday, July 21, with classes held every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Participants enjoy guided exercises designed to improve strength, balance, flexibility, and overall wellness in a supportive group environment.
If you're interested but not sure if the class is right for you, you're invited to stop by and observe or try a class before the new session begins. It's a great opportunity to meet the instructor, see the class in action, and learn more about the program.
Whether you're looking to maintain your health, increase your activity level, or simply enjoy exercising with friends, Fit for Life is a wonderful way to stay moving and engaged. We look forward to welcoming you to Willard Community Center for the next session beginning July 21!
Willard Community Center is grateful for the incredible generosity shown during Give to Lincoln Day 2026. Thanks to the support of our donors, we raised an outstanding $11,111 to help expand our Early Explorers program to include infant and toddler care.
This investment comes at an important time as the need for high-quality childcare continues to grow in Lincoln. The funds raised will help support the expansion of our Early Explorers program, creating additional opportunities for infants and toddlers to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, nurturing environment while giving families access to dependable childcare they can trust.
Every contribution, large and small, brings us one step closer to opening these new classrooms and serving more children during their earliest years of development. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who chose to invest in this important project.
Give to Lincoln Day is more than a day of fundraising; it is a celebration of community. We are honored that so many individuals believe in Willard's mission and our commitment to strengthening families through quality early childhood education.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, and the families we serve, thank you to every donor who made this achievement possible. Your generosity is helping build a brighter future for Lincoln's youngest learners and their families.
Willard Community Center is pleased to announce that it has received a generous $35,000 grant from the Immanuel Vision Foundation to support the organization's growing Adult & Senior Program.
The funding will help Willard continue providing a wide variety of free and low-cost opportunities that promote health, wellness, lifelong learning, and social connection for older adults throughout the Lincoln community.
Over the past year, participation in Willard's Adult & Senior Program has grown significantly as more adults seek opportunities to stay active, engaged, and connected. Programs include fitness classes, educational workshops, arts and creative activities, card groups, book clubs, nutrition-focused events, and community gatherings. Willard also offers unique intergenerational experiences that bring older adults and children together, fostering meaningful relationships and strengthening community connections across generations.
The grant will also support community-building initiatives that help reduce social isolation, improve mental and physical well-being, and create welcoming spaces where older adults can build friendships and remain involved in community life.
Willard Community Center is grateful to the Immanuel Vision Foundation for its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and for investing in programs that help individuals grow, connect, and contribute to the community.
.png)
Willard Community Center is grateful to announce a $10,000 grant from Nebraska Blue Foundation in support of our Adult & Senior Program.
This generous investment will help ensure older adults in our community continue to have access to free programs and activities that promote wellness, nutritious meals, creativity, lifelong learning, and meaningful social connections.
The Adult & Senior Program offers a variety of opportunities throughout the year, including fitness classes, arts and cultural programs, health and nutrition education, book clubs, bingo, card groups, potlucks, and intergenerational activities that bring together participants of all ages. These programs help reduce social isolation while creating opportunities for individuals to stay active, engaged, and connected to their community.
As participation in the program continues to grow, support from the Nebraska Blue Foundation helps Willard remove financial barriers and keep activities accessible to older adults, many of whom are living on fixed incomes.
Thank you, Nebraska Blue Foundation, for helping us strengthen community connections and support healthy aging in Lincoln.
Willard Community Center is pleased to partner with Capital Humane Society's Pawsitve Impact Project to host a Free Pet Food Pop-Up on Tuesday, June 23, from 3:30-5:30 PM.
Community members are invited to stop by and pick up free pet food for their household pets while supplies last. This event is designed to help support pet owners and ensure that beloved pets continue to receive the care they need.
We are grateful to Capital Humane Society for providing this valuable resource and for their commitment to helping both pets and families in our community.
No registration is required. We encourage those in need of pet food assistance to join us during the distribution hours.
