On a chilly winter evening in Lincoln’s Belmont neighborhood, educators, volunteers, and community leaders sit side by side with middle school students and a new immigrant family. They chat over slices of pizza about Belmont’s upcoming summer of fun. Kids splashing in the community pool. Sunset yoga. Outdoor movies. Music bingo. A color run.
This is Belmont, a neighborhood rooted in resilience, strengthened by collaboration, and shaped by the voices of those who call it home. And the Belmont School Neighborhood Advisory Committee, or SNAC, is at the heart of these efforts.
Behind the scenes, the Belmont SNAC meets monthly to coordinate events and support each other’s initiatives. The coalition of residents, educators, nonprofits, and city leaders who make up the SNAC work together to strengthen the Belmont community and create opportunities for its families.
Building Community Bridges Through SNAC
SNACs serve as the grassroots, community-driven arm of Lincoln’s Community Learning Centers (CLCs), bringing together parents, educators, and residents to shape neighborhood programs, while the Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) supports these initiatives through its leadership on the CLC Leadership Council.
“Lincoln Parks and Recreation is proud to play a leading role in the Belmont Community Learning Center and SNAC, working alongside the school, families, and community partners,” said Maggie Stuckey-Ross, director of Lincoln Parks & Recreation. “Through SNAC, we help ensure that CLC programs and neighborhood efforts reflect the strengths, interests, and needs of the community—while supporting collaborative planning and continuous growth.”
Pictured: Belmont Recreation Center (City of Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department) hosts the SNAC’s monthly meetings. Photo credit: Liz McCue
The Belmont SNAC originally began in 2007. Over the years, it evolved into a small team of professionals from Belmont’s “campus,” which includes the Belmont Community Center (BCC), Belmont Recreation Center, Belmont Elementary School, and Educare. Today, it has grown into a vibrant coalition of community members, parents, and even middle school students.
“We started meeting to organize events and understand our strengths,” said Emily Koopmann, executive director of the BCC. “But we realized the real value was in creating space for residents to shape the neighborhood’s future.”
Pictured: Emily Koopmann, Belmont Community Center Executive Director, speaks at the Belmont SNAC meeting on January 16, 2025. Photo credit: Liz McCue
This intentional, collaborative model is aligned with and supported through Prosper Lincoln’s Strong Neighborhoods initiative, which aims to increase social connection, foster civic engagement, and build long-term neighborhood stability.
As part of that effort, LCF funded a team of community builders who work through Lincoln’s CLCs to support SNACs in select neighborhoods—including Belmont. These community builders help connect schools with families, identify local assets, and elevate resident voices in neighborhood decision-making.
Today, SNAC meetings are held monthly at the Belmont Recreation Center, offering dinner and childcare to ensure accessibility. Each meeting is an opportunity for residents to share their needs, propose solutions, and collaborate on projects that benefit the entire community.
Listening to Residents, Driving Change
Belmont’s Summer of Fun is one example of SNAC’s commitment to community-driven programming. The annual calendar of free events — including yoga classes, book fairs, movies in the park, family swim nights, and music bingo — was inspired by resident surveys and brainstorming sessions. Many of the events are free to attend.
Pictured: Belmont Community 2024 Summer of Fun flyer, discussed in the Belmont SNAC meeting on January 16, 2025. Photo credit: Liz McCue
“Our events are shaped by what the community wants,” Koopmann said. “It’s not just about organizing activities; it’s about creating opportunities for connection and joy.”
SNAC’s advocacy extends beyond events. When residents voiced concerns about limited pool access, SNAC worked with Parks and Recreation to help recruit lifeguards and continue to offer swimming lessons at Belmont’s neighborhood pool during a time when many communities faced lifeguard shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts not only addressed an immediate need but also laid the groundwork for long-term benefits, such as training future lifeguards from within the neighborhood.
“Keeping the pool open is about more than swimming,” said Emily Trauernicht, a community builder funded by Prosper Lincoln. “It’s about creating a safe, welcoming space where kids can thrive.”
Empowering a Neighborhood
SNAC’s impact is evident in Belmont’s three-year strategic plan. The plan prioritizes accessibility, inclusion, and maximizing neighborhood assets like the Belmont pool and local parks.
“Having a strategic plan has made us more intentional,” Koopmann said. “It has also attracted resources and partnerships we might not have had otherwise.”
One such partnership came when Belmont participated in a city-led flood mitigation initiative. SNAC facilitated community feedback, ensuring residents’ voices were included in recommendations to the city council.
“These projects show what’s possible when a neighborhood comes together,” Trauernicht said. “Belmont is a great example of how investing in people creates lasting change.”
Pictured: Emily Trauernicht, Lincoln Community Learning Center Community Builder, participates in the Belmont SNAC meeting on January 16, 2025. Photo credit: Liz McCue
“The SNAC model demonstrates how listening to community voices and leveraging resources leads to sustainable improvements,” said Nola Derby-Bennett, director of Lincoln Community Learning Centers. “This is about creating pathways for long-term success, and Belmont is setting an inspiring example.”
Tracy Edgerton, president of LCF, added, “The work happening in Belmont embodies the values of the Lincoln Community Foundation — collaboration, equity, and empowerment. It’s a privilege to support initiatives like SNAC that amplify community strengths and inspire collective action.”
A Vision for the Future
Despite its successes, Belmont SNAC continues to look ahead. The group is focused on engaging more non-English-speaking residents, increasing youth participation, and connecting with local businesses.
“We’re not just reacting to issues,” Koopmann said. “We’re building relationships and dreaming big for what Belmont can be.”
Pictured (left to right): Emily Koopmann (Belmont Community Center, Executive Director), Bobbie Ehrlich (Belmont Elementary School, 5th Grde Teacher), Doug Kasparek (Lincoln Parks and Recreation Center Supervisor), B.J. Day (Lincoln Parks and Recreation, School Community Coordinator). Photo credit: Liz McCue
Belmont’s story is one of resilience and collaboration, underscoring the importance of programs like Prosper Lincoln’s strong neighborhoods initiative. By fostering connections and empowering residents, SNAC is creating a stronger, more vibrant community — one that exemplifies the power of collective action.
How You Can Help
The work of the Belmont SNAC and Prosper Lincoln is made possible by the support of donors and advocates who believe in the power of community. To help strengthen Lincoln’s neighborhoods, consider donating to the Lincoln Community Foundation’s Strong Neighborhoods Fund, or get in touch with your local community learning center.
Together, we can build a city where every neighborhood thrives. Visit www.lcf.org to learn more.