Willard Community Center is honored to be the recipient of a generous $30,000 grant from the Immanuel Vision Foundation. This funding will directly support the expansion of our adult programming, allowing us to create more opportunities for older adults and seniors in our community to stay active, engaged, and connected.

With the support of the Immanuel Vision Foundation, Willard will continue to grow its offerings in wellness, education, and social enrichment. From low-impact fitness classes and wellness workshops to creative arts, educational talks, and community events, our expanded adult programs are designed to enhance quality of life and foster meaningful connections among participants.

This investment helps us further our mission of supporting individuals of all ages as they grow, connect, and contribute to their community. We are deeply grateful to the Immanuel Vision Foundation for believing in our vision and helping us create a welcoming and vibrant space for aging adults.

Stay tuned for more updates as we launch new opportunities and programs in the coming months!

We’re excited to share the success of our annual House & Porch Plant Sale, which raised $841 this year, all thanks to the support of our incredible community!

Each spring, the Willard Community Center hosts this event to offer a wide selection of plants that brighten porches and homes. But beyond the greenery, this sale is rooted in purpose: 100% of the proceeds go directly to our Adult Program, helping us provide wellness, social, and educational opportunities for adults and seniors in our neighborhood.

Your contributions help us continue to grow meaningful programming, from fitness classes and educational workshops to community meals and social gatherings. Every dollar raised makes a lasting impact.

Thank you for helping us cultivate community and connection, one plant at a time. We can’t wait to see you again next year!

We’re so proud of our Lakeview CLC and Roper after-school 3rd–5th graders for making a big difference in the lives of some very special furry friends! 🐾💛

Our students completed the Paws & Hands: Crafting Comfort for Shelter Animals project, creating 62 cozy tie-blankets and 104 fun toys for the animals at Capital Humane Society!

A huge thank you to Youth Service of America and The Hershey Company for funding this heartwarming project and helping our students learn the value of compassion, service, and creativity.

Great job, kids, you’ve made tails wag and hearts happy! 🐶🐱💕

The smiles, laughter, and proud moments shared at our Preschool End-of-Year Celebration and Pre-k Graduation remind us why early childhood education is such a joyful and important journey.

On May 22, we honored the growth and accomplishments of our youngest learners. Our preschoolers have spent the year exploring, creating, and building new friendships. We couldn’t be prouder of how much they’ve grown, especially socially and emotionally

For our graduating pre-k students, it was a bittersweet farewell. These bright young minds are ready to take the next step toward kindergarten, and we are so excited to watch them continue to flourish. The ceremony was filled with happy tears, cheers from proud families, and celebrations of each child’s achievements.

Thank you to all the families, teachers, and supporters who made this school year so special. We can’t wait to continue growing together!

🎉 Today’s the BIG DAY – Give to Lincoln Day is here! 🎉

Your donation to Willard Community Center today helps us continue providing affordable, high-quality programs for all ages in our community.

💛 Support over 450 children in early childhood and after-school care
💛 Enrich the lives of 50+ adults & seniors with wellness and social programs
💛 Strengthen a trusted hub that serves hundreds of local families every year

We’d be honored to receive your support today. Every gift makes a lasting impact.

👉Donate here

The rain may have made an appearance, but it certainly didn’t keep the neighborhood away! On May 28, families, friends, and community members gathered for the first concert in our Schroder Park Summer Concert Series, nd what a joyful kick-off it was.

The Oasis Bluegrass Band brought the park to life with a lively hour-long performance that had toes tapping and spirits lifted. Children danced freely in the grass, played hand instruments, and enjoyed popsicles while adults joined in on yard games or relaxed with neighbors. Laughter echoed, umbrellas popped open, and the community came together to make memories, rain or shine.

We’re incredibly grateful to the local organizations who showed up to share resources and connect with attendees, helping make this event both fun and meaningful.

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather and made this first concert such a success. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!

Willard Community Center invites our community members to join us for our next Senior Potluck on Wednesday, May 21, at 11:00 AM. This month’s featured main dish is a timeless favorite, Sloppy Joes!

These monthly potlucks are a great opportunity to gather, share a meal, and enjoy one another’s company. Whether you're a regular or attending for the first time, everyone is welcome.

Come for the food, stay for the conversation, and help us continue building a vibrant and connected community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Willard Community Center extends a heartfelt thank you to To the Brim Communities for their generous donation of 33 hamburgers and all the fixings. Their thoughtful contribution helps fuel our programs and brings smiles to our community.

Whether it’s through food, time, or financial support, donations like these help us continue providing meaningful programs and events for children, families, and older adults in our neighborhood. To the Brim Communities’ kindness reflects the spirit of connection and care that we strive to build every day at Willard.

Thank you for helping us serve and support our neighbors, one burger at a time!

At Willard Community Center, we believe in the power of community. Every child who learns and grows in our early education classrooms, every youth who finds connection in our after-school programs, and every older adult who laughs and engages in our senior activities is part of something bigger, a team.

We’re not just a center. We’re Team Willard.
And thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re able to provide meaningful programs across every generation.

When you give to Willard, you're not just making a donation, you're joining a team of neighbors, families, educators, and supporters working together to create a stronger, more connected community. Your support helps us offer:

• High-quality early childhood education that prepares preschool and pre-k children for success in school and life

• Before- and after-school programs that provide enrichment, homework help, and a safe place for students at Lakeview and Roper Elementary

• Full-day summer camps for kindergarten through 8th grade that keep kids engaged, active, and learning

• Senior wellness programs that reduce isolation and support healthy aging through fitness, social activities, and educational opportunities

• Essential support services like our Free Blessings Box Pantry and partnerships like the Lincoln Fresh Food Truck and Community Garden

Every program at Willard is rooted in connection, compassion, and care. And none of it would be possible without people like you, our teammates.

Whether you're giving $10 or $1,000, your gift directly supports the daily work of building relationships, creating opportunity, and lifting up every person who walks through our doors.

Because Willard thrives when we all play our part. And you make our team complete.

Something exciting is coming to the Schroder Park Wellness Campus this summer! We’re thrilled to announce the brand-new Schroder Park Summer Concert Series, a free outdoor music event happening on the 4th Wednesday of each month from May through September, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

This new series brings an opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to gather on the campus lawn and enjoy live performances from a variety of musical backgrounds. Whether you love jazz, folk, blues, pop, or world music, each concert will feature a unique artist or band to keep your summer evenings lively and unforgettable.

The Summer Concert Series was created to promote wellness, celebrate local talent, and build community in a fun and welcoming outdoor setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic, and settle in for an evening of music and connection in the heart of the neighborhood.

These concerts are free and open to the public, and everyone is welcome!

2025 Summer Concert Dates:

• Wednesday, May 28

• Wednesday, June 25

• Wednesday, July 23

• Wednesday, August 27

• Wednesday, September 24

Stay tuned as we announce our featured performers and other exciting additions to each concert night. We can’t wait to see you at Schroder Park this summer!

For more information or to get involved, contact Hannah Davis, Campus Outreach Coordinator 402-327-1594 or hdavis@mourninghope.org