# Prosper Lincoln

> Jump In


## Posts

- [Small Voices, Big Echoes: How the Lincoln Early Childhood Network Strengthens the Foundation](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-early-childhood-network/): From the Capitol to the classroom, learn how the Lincoln Early Childhood Network and Lincoln Littles are uniting health, business, and advocacy to support our city's youngest residents.
- [Jump In: Meet Your Prosper Lincoln 3.0 Connections Workgroup](https://prosperlincoln.org/connections-workgroup/): Grounded in the 2025 Lincoln Vital Signs report and shaped by hundreds of community conversations, Prosper Lincoln’s work in Connections focuses on supporting engagement within neighborhoods, building resident-led neighborhood initiatives and increasing opportunities for people to improve their economic status 
- [A Catalyst for Community: FiftyOne Commons Ushers in a New Era of Stability and Connection](https://prosperlincoln.org/fiftyone-commons/): Family Service Lincoln's FiftyOne Commons campus delivers 8 affordable housing units, a community garden, and a STEAM center. Learn how LCF funding helped.
- [A foundation for the future: How one building became a hub for housing and childcare](https://prosperlincoln.org/foundation-for-the-future/): By Brittany Wren  Next door to Clinton Elementary, a historic church with a proud bell tower still stands. Inside, a new kind of hope is taking root. On the main floor, you’ll hear the sounds of laughter from a 24/7 childcare center. Upstairs, new affordable housing units are being framed.  This isn’t just a renovation; it’s a revolutionary model for community stability, born because a group of local entrepreneurs, architects and funders looked at the intertwined needs of families and said, “Yes, this is hard. But our community needs this.”  This is the story of what happens when a community […]
- [Prospering together](https://prosperlincoln.org/prospering-together/): By Amanda Barker, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Lincoln Community Foundation One question that’s been preoccupying my mind lately is this – “What does a community look like when everyone is prospering?”   For me, that question goes beyond my role as Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships – it’s personal. As the daughter of a history professor, I see how today’s choices become tomorrow’s legacy. As a mom, providing support for our youngest residents resonates in a new way. Having worked in housing policy, I know how foundational a safe, affordable home is for all. And connections tie it […]
- [Jump In: Meet Your Prosper Lincoln 3.0 Drivers](https://prosperlincoln.org/meet-your-drivers/): Prosper Lincoln continues as a joyful tradition that joins people and community together in powerful ways – kind of like Double Dutch jump roping. While one person usually jumps at a time, the goals of Prosper Lincoln require multiple players making collaboration the true key to these efforts.  Grounded in the newly released 2025 Lincoln Vital Signs report and shaped by hundreds of community conversations, Prosper Lincoln 3.0 centers on three renewed focus areas: Connections Housing Early Childhood  The first three years of Prosper Lincoln demonstrated that we need folks waking up every day to tackle the challenges and lift […]
- [Rising, Shining, and Prospering—Together](https://prosperlincoln.org/prosper-lincoln-3-launch-recap/): Lincoln leaders and neighbors gathered to launch Prosper Lincoln 3.0—renewing community focus on connection, housing, and early childhood.
- [A New Model for Housing: How Foxtail Meadows is Redefining Neighborhoods in Lincoln](https://prosperlincoln.org/foxtail-meadows-mixed-income-housing-lincoln/): Discover how Foxtail Meadows is setting a new standard for mixed-income housing in Lincoln—with help from the Lincoln Community Foundation.
- [Belmont SNAC Brings a Neighborhood Together](https://prosperlincoln.org/belmont-snac-builds-community/): Belmont SNAC and Lincoln’s CLCs are building stronger neighborhoods through collaboration, community voice, and year-round connection.  
- [A Beacon of Support: How Lincoln Littles Transforms Lives at Northeast Family Center](https://prosperlincoln.org/northeast-family-center-lincoln-littles-quality-childcare/): Discover how Lincoln Littles is transforming childcare access and supporting families, providers like Northeast Family Center, and the Lincoln community.
- [Leveraging Community Investments for Modern Affordable Housing](https://prosperlincoln.org/investments-affordable-housing/): It took around a decade and the collaboration of dozens of individuals and organizations to reach a groundbreaking ceremony held on Nov. 6. But within two years, Center Terrace will bring 125 affordable apartments, community space and a medical clinic to 1000 S. 13th St. in the South of Downtown neighborhood.   The five-story building will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments feasible for residents making 50-60% of Lincoln’s median household income. The name highlights both the location’s past as the home of CenterPointe and the building’s rooftop deck, said Carina McCormick, housing advocate and treasurer for the South of Downtown […]
- [A Second Chance: Building Futures Through Manufacturing at Bison, Inc.](https://prosperlincoln.org/bison-lmc-second-chances/): Bison, Inc. and the Lincoln Manufacturing Council are creating opportunities for justice-involved individuals through skills training and jobs.
- [Lincoln Vital Signs Data Walks:  Inspiring Collective Action Through Community Feedback](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-vital-signs-data-walks-inspiring-collective-action-through-community-feedback/): Strong communities use data to make collective changes that ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. Lincoln’s ongoing data report, Lincoln Vital Signs, informs residents about trends affecting our city and invites collaboration across all sectors of our community to address the findings.     Utilizing a new research method to share data and center community members with lived experiences as co-experts in the process, University of Nebraska Public Policy Center (PPC) and the Foundation recently hosted multiple data walks in different neighborhoods throughout our community.     Modeled after a tool developed by the Urban Institute Housing […]
- [Strong Neighborhoods Grants to Fund $25,000 in Local Projects](https://prosperlincoln.org/strong-neighborhoods-grants-to-fund-25000-in-local-projects/): Community Builder Coalition recently unveiled the Strong Neighborhoods Grants program to support neighborhood-based, resident-led programs and projects across Lincoln. Lincoln Community Foundation granted $25,000 to support and equip neighborhood stakeholders to achieve their neighborhood development goals.  Civic Nebraska will serve as the fiscal agent and distribute the funding at the discretion of the Community Builder Coalition, a group of community builders and organizers from local organizations that formed via Prosper Lincoln’s Strong Neighborhoods initiative.  “This grant opportunity is very unique,” said Allie Christianson, a senior community organizer with Collective Impact. “It demonstrates how neighbors and neighborhoods are already vital. These […]
- [New Pilot Program Improves Lincoln’s Rental Properties](https://prosperlincoln.org/new-pilot-programs-improves-lincolns-rental-properties/): Quality affordable housing leads to healthier and stable families, which in turn increases a thriving community. Although Lincoln has lower housing costs in comparison to the national average, discrepancies of what this looks like in our community remain.  According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, for housing to be considered affordable, costs should not exceed 30% of a resident’s income. According to the Lincoln Vital Signs Report (2022) nearly half of our community members who rent are paying a large portion (more than 30%) of their income on housing. This is most prevalent for renters residing near […]
- [MyTern:  A Community Immersion Experience](https://prosperlincoln.org/mytern-a-community-immersion-experience/): Lincoln has many programs and initiatives working towards retaining skilled talent within its workforce. One of its programs focuses on reaching students before they enter the workforce. MyTern, Lincoln’s signature summer internship networking program, wrapped up a successful summer slate of four networking events designed to showcase Lincoln, not only as a great place to work, but a great place to find meaningful community and quality of life.  Launched by the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development in 2017, MyTern connects interns from a variety of backgrounds and organizations over the summer for engaging events that embody the best parts of […]
- [Big Hearts Shaping Little Minds](https://prosperlincoln.org/big-hearts-shaping-little-minds/): Earlier this summer, 11 future childcare givers walked into the classroom – with diverse cultures, diverse life experiences – all extremely eager to learn and connected with the dream of serving children and families. On a warm summer day in mid-August, Lincoln Littles hosted a graduation ceremony for those 11 members of the inaugural Childcare Teacher Foundations Class, presenting them with special certificates for entry-level early childcare training. “I wish to create memories, fun memories that will stay in the child’s mind for his or her future,” said Jennifer Sanchez, one of those graduates, describing her goals. “I wish to […]
- [Lincoln Community Foundation Grants $850,000 for Affordable Housing](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-community-foundation-grants-850000-for-affordable-housing/): The Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) recently awarded $850,000 in grants from its Affordable Housing Fund to seven organizations working to create and preserve affordable housing. These organizations include Community Development Resources, Family Service Lincoln, Habitat for Humanity Lincoln/Lancaster County, Lincoln Housing Authority, Nebraska Housing Resource, NeighborWorks Lincoln and South of Downtown Community Development Organization. “Housing that is affordable leads to healthier and more stable families and neighborhoods and promotes economic mobility,” said LCF President/CEO, Alec Gorynski. “These grants serve as a demonstration of all the ways in which grant funding can support access to affordable housing.” The City of Lincoln’s […]
- [Lincoln Littles Giving Day Expanded to Month of February](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-littles-giving-day-expanded-to-month-of-february/): Lincoln Community Foundation is excited to announce that the annual Lincoln Littles Giving Day has been expanded to a month-long campaign raising funds and awareness for Lincoln Littles work in early childhood education. Launched in 2019 and inspired by the Prosper Lincoln community agenda, the giving day has raised $3.1 million for tuition assistance, providing affordable and quality early childcare to nearly 600 children. “An investment in the important work of Lincoln Littles means more children will receive the quality education and care they deserve at a level their families can afford,” said Alec Gorynski, president of the Lincoln Community […]
- [Community Development Resources Names New Executive Director](https://prosperlincoln.org/community-development-resources-names-new-executive-director/): Community Development Resources (CDR) Board of Directors recently announced the selection of Farshad Maltes as its new Executive Director. Farshad started with CDR in early December following a national search for an executive director which CDR has not had in place since the passing of their founder Rick Wallace in 2016. “Farshad brings a unique set of skills and abilities that will truly advantage Lincoln’s aggressive affordable housing development goals,” said Mark Hesser, CDR board chair. “He is recognized as a national expert on many of the complex financial instruments CDR seeks to incorporate into our local affordable housing development […]
- [Aligning Change with Real Need](https://prosperlincoln.org/aligning-change-with-real-need/): The Lincoln Vital Signs 2022 report features data that provides a shared understanding of our city—both the achievements and persistent weaknesses. Previous reports have become the centerpiece of a community-wide engagement process to set priorities and take action to make Lincoln even stronger. Prosper Lincoln is informed by the Lincoln Vital Signs report. It serves as our agenda to build a better community—one that’s stronger, more diverse, and ready to meet future challenges. Together, organizations, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders collaborate on meaningful transformation in five targeted areas. A few examples of progress are below: EARLY CHILDHOOD All children have […]
- [New Emergency Alert System for Lincoln’s Littlest Residents](https://prosperlincoln.org/new-emergency-alert-system-for-lincolns-littlest-residents/): Early childcare in Lincoln took a giant step towards emergency preparedness in 2022. Emergency notification systems have been a valuable tool for schools engaging in crisis communications, but early childcare centers have not been part of emergency notification system considerations until now. “This is trailblazing for early childcare,” said Suzanne Schneider, Associate Director for Lincoln Littles, an organization transforming the landscape of early childhood in our community. “We haven’t found any other systems like this in the nation.” Lincoln Littles recently partnered with the Lincoln Police Department’s communications team to establish an emergency notification system for 120 licensed childcare centers. […]
- [Lincoln Littles Giving Day Raises More Than $670,000 For Early Childhood Education](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-littles-giving-day-raises-more-than-670000-for-early-childhood-education/): The fourth Lincoln Littles Giving Day, held on February 9 raised $670,123. Hosted by the Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF), the annual giving day raises funds for tuition assistance, allowing more children in need to access quality early childhood education. The day is inspired by the Prosper Lincoln Early Childhood community agenda goal of increasing accessible and affordable high-quality early childhood education. “Year after year, Lincoln Littles Giving Day harnesses the awesome power of philanthropy” said LCF President, Alec Gorynski. “This community sees the critical need for all children in Lincoln to receive the quality early childhood education and care that […]
- [Making a Collective Impact ](https://prosperlincoln.org/making-a-collective-impact/): Ninety minutes pass quickly as Prosper Lincoln drivers gather once a month to provide updates and collaborate on the many community-wide efforts taking place to lift Lincoln higher.   What started as 2,100 ideas to address the 2014 Lincoln Vital Signs findings has evolved into a focused community agenda. The first phase of the agenda included three focus areas and three developers. Now in its second phase, the work of Prosper Lincoln has been embedded within the community through the drivers – leaders from different organizations who wake up every day thinking about the phase two focus areas.    Anne Brandt, executive […]
- [Affordable Housing: A Gateway to Community Growth ](https://prosperlincoln.org/affordable-housing-a-gateway-to-community-growth/): One year after releasing its Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan, a detailed report of growth trends and market analysis that outlines the city’s housing needs over the next 10 years, Lincoln has seen tremendous achievements around its affordable housing efforts.   According to the report, Lincoln will need to add 17,000 living units to accommodate the city’s projected growth over the next 10 years. 5,000 of those units will need to be affordable to the lowest-income households. While Lincoln is constantly bustling with construction activity, the private market does not typically produce varied housing types. These issues require a solution that […]
- [University Partnership Creates Multicultural Story Repository for Lincoln Children](https://prosperlincoln.org/university-partnership-creates-multicultural-story-repository-for-lincoln-children/): “Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl who had a secret: Her teeth were in her armpits, not her mouth.” So begins a beautiful fable from Togo – told aloud by one of 25 storytellers from Africa who are sharing their recorded childhood tales with little ones who attend childcare centers in Lincoln, Nebraska through the Lincoln Littles “Stories from Africa” project. This project is taking children around the world through the power of stories, according to Linda Major, emeritus assistant to the vice chancellor of student affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “For centuries, stories have been […]
- [Lincoln Littles Giving Day: One big hug from our community](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-littles-giving-day-one-big-hug-from-our-community/): Lincoln Littles Giving Day is like one big hug from the community – with residents wrapping their arms around childcare providers and the families they serve. The fourth annual Lincoln Littles Giving Day is Wednesday, Feb. 9, and local childcare providers underline what a significant difference a donation can make in a child’s life. Teri Beem, director, St. Mark’s Preschool/KIDZONE Inc.: “Lincoln Littles Giving Day is like a big hug from our community – acknowledging the importance of high-quality early childhood education and care, while making it accessible to all children. It feels wonderful to help families and children engage […]
- [Support Early Childhood on the Fourth Annual Lincoln Littles Giving Day!](https://prosperlincoln.org/support-early-childhood-on-the-fourth-annual-lincoln-littles-giving-day/): Lincoln Community Foundation, in partnership with Lincoln Littles and Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, will host the fourth annual Lincoln Littles Giving Day on February 9. The giving day will raise funds for tuition assistance, allowing more children from working, lower-income families to access quality early childhood education programs. Launched in 2019 and inspired by the Prosper Lincoln agenda on Early Childhood, the day has raised $2.4 million to assist more than 400 children.   “These past two years have amplified how important it is for our children and our workforce to have quality early childhood education opportunities,” said Alec Gorynski, […]
- [Lincoln Littles Giving Day Set for February 9](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-littles-giving-day-set-for-february-9/): Lincoln, NE – Lincoln Community Foundation, in partnership with Lincoln Littles and Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, will host the fourth annual Lincoln Littles Giving Day on February 9. The giving day will raise funds for tuition assistance, allowing more children from working, lower-income families to access quality early childhood education programs. Launched in 2019 and inspired by the Prosper Lincoln agenda on Early Childhood, the day has raised $2.4 million to assist more than 400 children. “These past two years have amplified how important it is for our children and our workforce to have quality early childhood education opportunities,” […]
- [Families Find Hope with Child Care Funds](https://prosperlincoln.org/families-find-hope-with-child-care-funds/): Curt Krueger, executive director of the Northeast Family Center, was touched by the tears. Tears of joy. Tears of relief.  “The pandemic happened, and families got behind on child care payments through no fault of their own,” he explained. “They lost jobs, lost significant income when they were furloughed, or forced to quarantine.”  But this spring, when some of the Family Center’s eligible families received a check for tuition assistance for childcare, their worlds changed with something new: Hope.  That’s what $500,000 of bonus dollars for child care looks like at just one of the many centers receiving support from money now available […]
- [Meet Your CLC Community Builders](https://prosperlincoln.org/meet-your-clc-community-builders/): Using Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) framework, these four-quadrant based CLC Community Builders work with CLC Schools, Families and Neighborhoods to build relationships, make connections, and elevate community/resident voices.   Jodi-Renee Giron, NE Quadrant Community Builder   Jenee Kucera, SE Quadrant Community Builder   Samantha Thomas, NW Quadrant Community Builder   Emily Trauernicht, SW Quadrant Community Builder   ABCD framework taps into local assets of residents and uses existing community strengths to build stronger neighborhoods for the future. Do not be surprised to see your Community Builders attending Neighborhood Association meetings, working with businesses and local community organizations to plan and execute neighborhood events, or at your local coffee shops meeting and connecting […]
- [Rent and Utility Assistance Available](https://prosperlincoln.org/rent-and-utility-assistance-available/): The City of Lincoln has been providing housing and utility assistance since July 2020 when CARES Act funding became available. If the pandemic has prevented you or someone you know from paying for housing and utilities, financial assistance may be available. Money to pay for gas, electricity, water, and rent payments is available now to those who qualify. These funds do not have to be repaid. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines, and need must be a result of COVID-19.  As of May 2021, 1,647 households in Lincoln have been helped with $5.4 million in rent, mortgage, and utility assistance.  Residents can apply […]
- [Reintroductions to the Workforce](https://prosperlincoln.org/reintroductions-to-the-workforce/): A collaborative program to help people prepare for re-entry in our community has launched with success. In March, Cornhusker State Industries (CSI) and the Lincoln Manufacturing Council (LMC) partnered on a program for incarcerated individuals to learn more about the manufacturing industry and manufacturing job opportunities in Lincoln.     Over a four-week period, participants learned about the history of manufacturing, career opportunities, and what to expect in the industry. Course topics included work processes and soft skills such as communication and conflict resolution.    For Brian Koch, the Workforce Development Manager at CSI, this inaugural program was a trial to determine whether this type […]
- [Child Tax Credit Advance Payments Available this Summer](https://prosperlincoln.org/child-tax-credit-advance-payments-available-this-summer/): You may be eligible to receive the Advance Child Tax Credit (AdvCTC). You must have filed a return in the past two years to receive payments. For tax year 2021, eligible families can receive advance payments of the Child Tax Credit from July through December.   Need assistance filing your tax return to get your AdvCTC this year? Visit one of the following location(s) for help:  July 9 | 11:30 am to 1:30 pm | Belmont Elementary  July 9 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Center for People in Need  July 9 | 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | Willard Community Center  July 16 | 11:30 am to […]
- [Nonprofits build new house, hope at 11th and E in Lincoln](https://prosperlincoln.org/nonprofits-build-new-house-hope-at-11th-and-e-in-lincoln/): by Peter Salter, Lincoln Journal Star. The original article can be viewed here. The first time Isabel Salas opened the door to 1105 E St., she was shocked by the shell in front of her. The walls were stripped to the studs. The floors sagged. The wiring was exposed, and fire had scarred a floor. But her reaction ran deeper than the dirt and debris, and the signs of squatters and vandals who’d visited during the decade the house sat vacant. “I was thinking of all of the conversations I had with folks who were just struggling to find an affordable […]
- [New ChildcareLNK shines light on Lincoln child care  openings in the shadow of the ongoing pandemic](https://prosperlincoln.org/childcarelnk/): For more information: Anne Brandt, Executive Director, Lincoln Littles 402- 525-0183, anne.brandt@prosperlincoln.org Lincoln’s littlest residents are feeling the impact of the ongoing pandemic as the reality of the community’s child care landscape shifts and changes. Some child care facilities have closed their doors.  Grandparents, who have been advised to isolate, are often helpless to offer support. Other providers have fewer children – with schools closing and more parents staying home – but remain active with openings.  The result is that working parents, who often hold those essential jobs in our community, are left in search of affordable, quality child care. […]
- [City of Lincoln can't go it alone in tackling housing affordability; draft plan outlines tools to address problem](https://prosperlincoln.org/city-of-lincoln-cant-go-it-alone-in-tackling-housing-affordability-draft-plan-outlines-tools-to-address-problem/): Riley Johnson  |   Feb 29, 2020    |   Lincoln Journal Star   Lincoln will need to build as many housing units as exist in all of Grand Island by 2030 to support population growth expected here. And though living in Lincoln remains affordable compared to other cities, housing costs continue to rise, and the rent and mortgage burden many residents feel needs attention to stave off more systemic housing problems. Those bullet points are driving a number of recommendations and proposed new partnerships aimed at addressing housing affordability, particularly for low- and moderate-income residents. The Affordable Housing Action Plan […]
- [Rotary 14 helps provide affordable housing south of downtown](https://prosperlincoln.org/rotary-14-helps-provide-affordable-housing-south-of-downtown/): BY RANDY BRETZ, ROTARY 14 PAST PRESIDENT    |   Feb 14, 2020  |   Lincoln Journal Star Soon a family will move into its own new home in Lincoln’s South of Downtown neighborhood, thanks to Rotary 14 and a fundraising event that raised nearly $60,000. A crowd of 400 people gathered at Nebraska Innovation Campus on Saturday, Feb. 8, for “Rise.Shine.Give.2020,” a fundraising brunch sponsored by Lincoln’s oldest service club.   “For 110 years, our club has worked to provide great things for our wonderful community,” said AshLea Allberry, co-chair of the Rotary event. “This year’s event included a […]
- [Early Childhood Tied to Workforce: Theme of Thriving Children Conference](https://prosperlincoln.org/early-childhood-tied-to-workforce-theme-of-thriving-children-conference/): Nebraska economic development leaders participate in a Kearney panel on early childhood. Left to right: Andy Lang, Gabriel Steinmeyer, Bryan Seck, Catherine Lang. “Early childhood education is an economic development tool,” said Bryan Seck, Prosper Lincoln Developer for Employment Skills. “Communities must involve the business leadership by talking about the value of early childhood and its return to business in improved productivity and employee retention.” This was a central theme of the 2019 Thriving Children, Families and Communities conference held in Kearney, NE on September 16.  The event drew more than 400 attendees from over 90 communities, involving senators, state […]
- [Future entrepreneurs pitch early childhood product](https://prosperlincoln.org/future-entrepreneurs-pitch-early-childhood-product/): Coordinated by the Clifton Strengths Institute located in University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s Howard L. Hawks Hall College of Business, the 2nd annual Future Builders Challenge allowed 12 students to dive deep into starting their own business. After learning of the Prosper Lincoln focus area on Early Childhood with the goal of ensuring all children are kindergarten ready, the group focused on how they could create a business that gave young children the best start in school. Their concept was “Prekrate”, a subscription box for preschool children, filled with activities that would prepare them for Lincoln Public School’s Kindergarten curriculum. […]
- [Business invests in child care center in response to employee needs](https://prosperlincoln.org/business-invests-in-child-care-center-in-response-to-employee-needs/): Kanga Kare is one of Lincoln’s newest child care providers, nestled in an established neighborhood near 31st & C. The provider, open since September, is licensed for 94 and has 50 enrolled. “When this opportunity became available, it just made sense to make it a place for our employees’ families and the community.” said Mike Olderbak, Owner of Kabredlo’s Property who has 60 employees. “Good, reliable child care was always a concern for our employees.” Kanga Kare is also open to the public. They accept subsidy so low-income families also have access to quality early childhood education. The rooms, designated […]
- [Future Builders Challenge 2019 showcases youth potential](https://prosperlincoln.org/future-builders-challenge-2019-showcases-youth-potential/): The identification, recruitment, development and retention of talent to Lincoln is vital to build on the momentum we have going on in the city. In 2016, Prosper Lincoln began to look at more intentional efforts to better connect high school students to their innovation and entrepreneurial talents. Efforts encouraged them to realize their propensity to be Builders – of economy where none existed before; of businesses, ideas, communities; and a better life for themselves and those around them. The Future Builders Challenge was born. This past March and April, 2,000 LPS and parochial high school students were granted the opportunity […]
- [Rich Claussen to Join Olsson](https://prosperlincoln.org/rich-claussen-to-join-olsson/): Rich Claussen, the Innovation Ambassador for Prosper Lincoln, will join Olsson in a part-time capacity in March and move to full-time in June. For the past three years, Claussen has made connection and advanced the Prosper Lincoln Innovation & Entrepreneurship agenda goal of creating a world class ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship where Lincoln is the epicenter. During his transition to Olsson, Claussen will remain engaged with Prosper Lincoln to see through the key strategic goals. Claussen brings to Olsson a strong level of connection to the education, philanthropic and business communities within the Lincoln community. He has been a […]
- [Lincoln Littles to address childcare benefits cliff](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-littles-to-address-childcare-benefits-cliff/): The first ever Lincoln Littles giving day, held on February 12, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, raised $637,397. Hosted by Lincoln Community Foundation, in partnership with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, the giving day raised funds for tuition assistance, which will allow more children in need to access quality early childhood education. The giving day and fund is a significant development toward the Prosper Lincoln Early Childhood community agenda goal of increasing accessible and affordable high-quality early childhood education. Eleven early childhood education providers will receive funding from Lincoln Littles to provide tuition assistance to low-income families. Those providers have indicated that they […]
- [Closing the digital divide](https://prosperlincoln.org/closing-the-digital-divide/): The Internet is a major part of our lives.  If we need an answer, we Google it.  If we want to stay connected with friends and family, we use Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter. Students need the Internet to create and submit homework. Families use it to find information on Lincoln’s community services via myLNK. Need to check on your Veteran or Medicaid benefits?  Need to take the GED or apply for a job?  Want to start a new or grow an existing business? All of these require a connection to the Internet. Lincoln is becoming a gigabit community, with availability […]
- [Woman’s Visual Impairment Doesn’t Hinder Motivation to Work](https://prosperlincoln.org/womans-visual-impairment-doesnt-hinder-motivation-to-work/): Jessica, 21 of Lincoln, was ready to do more. She had jobs bussing tables or washing dishes, but she wanted to work with people and expand on her skills in food service. Thanks to a job fair at Center for People in Need, Jessica got that opportunity when she was hired by Hy-Vee to prepare pizza and pasta for their Italian Express menu. “Jessica had a vast amount of food service experience along with the desire to work,” said Julie Wolfgram, Human Resource Manager at Superior Hy-Vee on 27th St. “She will definitely be an asset in the Italian department as […]
- [Startup Week Shines Light on Lincoln’s Ecosystem](https://prosperlincoln.org/startup-week-shines-light-on-lincolns-ecosystem/): When Lincoln Vital Signs was first released in 2014, Lincoln was doing many things very well. Emphasizing the positive, Entrepreneurship was chosen as one of Prosper Lincoln’s three focus areas. Startup Week is a five-day celebration on Lincoln’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. October 22 through 25, this new type of conference builds momentum and opportunity around entrepreneurship, led by entrepreneurs and hosted in the entrepreneurial spaces throughout Lincoln. Partnering with Techstars, sponsored by Assurity and with dedicated coordination from Christina Oldfather of Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED), Lincoln Startup Week delivered inspiring programming, including some special entrepreneurial insights from noted national […]
- [Willard Community Center expands preschool to serve more](https://prosperlincoln.org/willard-community-center-expands-preschool-to-serve-more/): In a century-old former school building in southwest Lincoln, Willard Community Center quietly serves thousands of families in the neighborhood. Thanks to a recent remodel and the momentum created through Prosper Lincoln, Willard Community Center has expanded and improved its ability to provide high quality, early childhood education to the families it serves. While improvements were made in many areas, the early childhood services received a lot of attention during planning for the remodel. “We decided to focus on preschool and pre-kindergarten to make the most impact and serve the most children,” said Janelle Soderling, Executive Director of Willard Community […]
- [Progress Report October 2018](https://prosperlincoln.org/progress-report-october-2018/): October, 2018 The Prosper Lincoln team would like to thank you for stepping up to this important agenda. Our Developers are now past the half way mark on the 4-year strategic plan. Here are a few ways we have been working to make Lincoln a better place to live and work. Employment SkillsBryan Seck     402-541-9988     bryan.seck@prosperlincoln.org  EmployLNK (formally Lincoln Business Task Force) organizes veteran, job seeker and case manager career fairs and monthly tours of local businesses. The events increase case manager understanding of career pathways to share with clients and business access to job seekers. Many of […]
- [Two years free tuition helping to develop Lincoln’s workforce](https://prosperlincoln.org/two-years-free-tuition-helping-to-develop-lincolns-workforce/): Thanks to a recent gift from the Acklie Charitable Foundation, students who receive the Learn to Dream Scholarship at Southeast Community College can now complete a second year of credits without having to pay tuition and fees. Helping families out of poverty while filling in-demand positions is the goal of the Employment Skills focus area for Prosper Lincoln. Certifications and degrees after high school graduation is one key to fulfilling this goal, but cost has been a barrier. The Learn to Dream scholarship, first established in 2007 as a partnership between Union Bank & Trust, Nelnet, Lincoln Public Schools, and SCC, […]
- [Reserve Pitch idea gains momentum](https://prosperlincoln.org/reserve-pitch-idea-gains-momentum/): It started with an idea that turned the concept of a student career fair on its head. Not long after the Prosper Lincoln community agenda was announced, Rich Claussen, the Ambassador for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship focus area, went to work building an event that would gather students together to hear from local businesses about their tech internships and careers. The third Reverse Pitch event is happening Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 5 p.m. in the Nebraska Innovation Campus auditorium. The University of Nebraska’s Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering is now the lead planner and official […]
- [Housing Authority provides books to families with financial needs](https://prosperlincoln.org/housing-authority-provides-books-to-families-with-financial-needs/): One of the Prosper Lincoln community agenda objectives is to enrich early childhood development at home through the promotion of reading aloud 15 minutes per day. Lincoln Housing Authority (LHA), which provides affordable housing to families currently undergoing financial stress, has done a remarkable job in spreading this important message. Public Housing Authorities across the country have been challenged to participate in addressing the critical issue of literacy and grade-level reading. LHA responded to that challenge by developing the Reading Matters program. Reading Matters is promoting literacy and boosting educational outcomes by presenting new, diverse, age-appropriate books as well as […]
- [Children’s Museum connects children to reading and parents to jobs, resources](https://prosperlincoln.org/childrens-museum-connects-children-to-reading-and-parents-to-jobs-resources/): To help families truly prosper, a multi-faceted approach is needed. Children must be read to, as we’ve learned from the Early Childhood focus areas of Prosper Lincoln, and their parents must have stable and well-compensated employment, as we know from Prosper Lincoln’s Employment Skills focus area. The Lincoln Children’s Museum is taking this whole family approach by partnering with Lincoln Public School’s Family Literacy Program and EmployLNK for an upcoming event on September 30. This free day of play for immigrant and refugee families will incorporate a job and resource fair for this community, something that previously hasn’t been possible […]
- [The Future of Healthcare is in Collaboration](https://prosperlincoln.org/the-future-of-healthcare-is-in-collaboration/): Lincoln healthcare providers need skilled staff. Lincoln people need stable careers. Prosper Lincoln’s Employment Skills goal of ensuring access to training and support for skilled in-demand jobs requires collaboration of the highest degree. The Southeast Nebraska Healthcare Industry Partnership launched August 22 to address this need. Business leaders met in the morning and public partners in the afternoon.  Sixty healthcare leaders gathered in Lincoln from Gage, Lancaster, Saline & Seward counties to discuss needs and opportunities. NextGen Sector Partnerships consultants facilitated the event and centered on talent pipelines, awareness & recruitment, and care coordination & community engagement. “Next steps? A […]
- [Cathedral triples capacity for quality Early Childhood learning](https://prosperlincoln.org/cathedral-triples-capacity-for-quality-early-childhood-learning/): One strategy to reach Prosper Lincoln’s Early Childhood goal of ensuring children are kindergarten ready, is to increase capacity of high quality programs. Jeremy Ekeler, Principal at Cathedral of the Risen Christ School, admitted that their day care and preschools needed a new approach in order to help meet this need in the community. “We used to have a preschool and daycare, but with no real distinction,” Ekeler explained. Three years ago, administration at Cathedral began researching a new approach, ultimately settling on Nature Explore as the best option for their community of families. “Prosper Lincoln connected me with people […]
- [The Future Builders Challenge 2018](https://prosperlincoln.org/the-future-builders-challenge-2018/): Video produced by Pixel Bakery Motion Studio. Read more: https://prosperlincoln.org/news/article/future-builders-program http://siliconprairienews.com/2018/06/high-school-students-from-lincoln-builders-challenge-launch-business/
- [Bryan Seck to expand Prosper Lincoln work at Chamber](https://prosperlincoln.org/bryan-seck-to-expand-prosper-lincoln-work-at-chamber/): Starting July 2, 2018, Bryan Seck, Prosper Lincoln’s co-Developer for Employment Skills took on a new position of Director of Workforce Development for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s LPED (Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development). This role will continue and expand the Prosper Lincoln work he started with co-Developer, Mike Milbourn. Through an agreement with the Lincoln Community Foundation, Bryan will continue to report to the Employment Skills Oversight Committee of Prosper Lincoln. He will be an employee of LPED and will work with the Chamber to expand and grow his current activities. Bryan has been very active in the community […]
- [High schoolers can prep now for in-demand careers](https://prosperlincoln.org/high-schoolers-can-prep-now-for-in-demand-careers/): Lydia Clark loves watching home fix-up shows on the Home and Garden TV (HGTV). She dreams of someday restoring old homes. This interest led her to pursue the Construction pathway at The Career Academy (TCA) while she was in high school. While she took her high school graduation requirements at Pius X High School in the morning, she spent her afternoons at TCA on Southeast Community College’s campus at 88th & O, gaining knowledge and college credits. She is continuing at SCC, pursuing her 2nd degree in Electrical.  She completed her Associate Applied Science degree in Construction and wants to also […]
- [Assessing and addressing Lincoln kids’ health](https://prosperlincoln.org/assessing-and-addressing-lincoln-kids-health/): How do we accomplish the Prosper Lincoln goal to nurture every child on the path to success? The answer is multi-dimensional. One particular dimension is health, and the Prosper Lincoln Early Childhood Comprehensive Health Working Group recently released the latest health assessment to serve as a measurement benchmark. Nearly 100 individuals representing schools, health care providers, government agencies, nonprofits and the community, gathered for a Health Working Group meeting on June 22, 2018 at Innovation Campus. They reviewed the findings of the Lancaster County Early Childhood Health Status, a collaborative report lead by Voices for Children in Nebraska, Children’s Center […]
- [Young entrepreneurs discover strengths at summer internship](https://prosperlincoln.org/young-entrepreneurs-discover-strengths-at-summer-internship/): Te’a Cushman, Northeast Rocket softball player and daughter of Rachelle Woodbury and Brent Cushman, wasn’t thinking about a career in business. Perhaps someday she’d go into law or medicine. So, when she took Gallup’s Builder Profile 10 (BP10) assessment in civics class, all she could think was, “Why would I ever need this?” She discovered that she had a propensity for selling and the confidence and approachability that were hallmarks for successful entrepreneurs. Now, she’s spending part of her summer with 21 other students, developing their strengths, entrepreneurial skills, leadership and dedication to build a successful team and profitable t-shirt […]
- [Partnerships Key to Restoring Malone Center](https://prosperlincoln.org/partnerships-key-to-restoring-malone-center/): Clyde Malone Community Center has long been known for its after-school programming, primarily for Lincoln’s African American youth in the neighborhood between the University’s downtown campus and North 27th Street. The center’s new executive director, Kimberly Goins is determined to expand that definition and restore the center to a thriving haven that provides a pathway for children born into poverty to change their life’s trajectory. When Goins was hired at the Malone Center in the spring of 2017, the center had some issues that needed to be addressed immediately, including within the center’s early education center. According to Goins, while […]
- [After-School Construction Club Introduces Students to Career Possibilities](https://prosperlincoln.org/after-school-construction-club-introduces-students-to-career-possibilities/): Safety first! Then, a career! Thirteen Arnold Elementary students participated in an afterschool club at the Arnold Community Learning Center which provided hands-on activities that really connected the kids with on-the-job experiences in road construction.  Students were supplied with safety vests which were to be worn during the six-week program. They first learned work zone safety before participating in activities that helped them learn about pavement markings, concrete, structures, utilities and finally, heavy equipment. The curriculum was developed and taught by members of The Associated General Contractors (AGC) – Nebraska Chapter.  Working with the CLC, they piloted the club to […]
- [Duncan Aviation hosts career fair for refugees](https://prosperlincoln.org/duncan-aviation-hosts-career-fair-for-refugees/): Duncan Aviation recently hosted a career fair tailored for local refugees with legal status to work in the U.S. and by doing so, are stepping up to the Prosper Lincoln agenda focus on Employment Skills. Refugees are men and women who have escaped religious, ethnic or political persecution in their homelands and are welcomed by the U. S. Department of State. They arrive with their legal status intact and are ready to work.  Contrary to negative stereotypes, refugees are often skilled, capable and resilient individuals, who hold qualifications and practical experience across various areas of work. The career fair event was […]
- [A mid-way progress report of Prosper Lincoln (2018)](https://prosperlincoln.org/a-mid-way-progress-report-of-prosper-lincoln-2018/): Published 3-28-2018 The Prosper Lincoln team would like to thank you for stepping up to this important agenda. Our Developers are now past the half way mark on the 4-year strategic plan and now is a good time to provide you with an update on our progress. Here are a few ways we have been working to make Lincoln a better place to live and work. Employment Skills: EmployLNK (formally Lincoln Business Task Force) organizes veteran, job seeker and case manager career fairs and monthly tours of local businesses. The events increase case manager understanding of career pathways. Each case […]
- [Gallup BP10 Assessment to Identify Future Builders from Lincoln Students](https://prosperlincoln.org/gallup-bp10-assessment-to-identify-future-builders-from-lincoln-students/): One of Prosper Lincoln’s strategic objectives related to the Innovation & Entrepreneurship focus area is to provide opportunities that will connect students to innovation. Thanks to the Future Builders Challenge, high school students in Lincoln can identify their aptitudes to become entrepreneurs, innovators and builders. Grounded in global Gallup research, the Builder Profile 10 assessment has been provided at no charge to high school freshmen and business clubs in all Lincoln public and private schools. “For years we have invested time, resources and coaching to help identify who are the best athletes, scholars and performing artists,” says Rich Claussen, Prosper […]
- [Read Aloud Lincoln efforts encourage early childhood education](https://prosperlincoln.org/read-aloud-lincoln-efforts-encourage-early-childhood-education/): On behalf of the Prosper Lincoln community agenda, the Read Aloud Lincoln campaign has launched. Read Aloud Lincoln is a two-year initiative that includes a passionate group of partners who want to spread the word to parents and caregivers that 15 minutes of reading aloud daily from birth to age 8 can profoundly impact success for all Lincoln’s children, both in school and in life. Read Aloud Lincoln’s primary goal is to have every child ready to read when entering kindergarten and continue to build their literacy skills during their early school years. This can happen when parents read aloud […]
- [New research finds it hasn’t gotten easier for poor kids to catch up](https://prosperlincoln.org/new-research-finds-it-hasnt-gotten-easier-for-poor-kids-to-catch-up/): The kindergarten-readiness gap between low-income and high-income students has not closed in a generation, even though parents are more involved than ever in their children’s education and state-funded pre-K, nutrition programs, and prenatal care are more accessible now than in the late 1990s. That is the major finding of a new report by the Economic Policy Institute, in which researchers Emma Garcia and Elaine Weiss analyzed kindergarten readiness data for socioeconomic groups in 1998 and 2010 to see if gaps in academic readiness have shrunk over time. The researchers found that large gaps for both reading and math performance between […]
- [Leading the Way: A Guide for Business Engagement in Early Education](https://prosperlincoln.org/leading-the-way-a-guide-for-business-engagement-in-early-education/): High-quality, affordable, and accessible childcare has a significant impact on the economic growth and competitiveness of our companies and country. Yet America is facing a childcare challenge that threatens the productivity and strength of the workforce of today — as well as the quality of the workforce of tomorrow. This toolkit provides resources to enable the business community to advance access to high-quality, affordable childcare to support employees, the broader community, and the country. This includes key facts and an elevator speech on childcare, a tactical guide with tangible ways that the business community can make an impact, and case […]
- [Building partnerships with business to build a pipeline of qualified employees](https://prosperlincoln.org/building-partnerships-with-business-to-build-a-pipeline-of-qualified-employees/): Lincoln businesses now have a partner in helping them find the next great employee. Our local American Job Center (AJC) provider is ResCare Workforce Services, a national service provider dedicated to connecting talent to business. The AJC is building partnerships between business and training to form a pipeline of qualified employees for skilled and in-demand careers. They do this by offering free services for businesses that are in need of employees. Services include: Free job postings on NE Works, the statewide site used by all human service agencies Interview fairs with pre-screened job seekers Subsidies for businesses willing to train […]
- [Fostering a Love of Literacy: Through Libraries, Schools, and Families](https://prosperlincoln.org/fostering-a-love-of-literacy-through-libraries-schools-and-families/): When leaders at the Oakland (California) Public Library’s Melrose branch realized that they weren’t drawing a good crowd to their traditional story times—even though the sessions featured some dynamic children’s librarians—they decided they needed to try a different approach. So they flipped their model from a focus on the children’s involvement to instead providing support to the parents and other caregivers—grandparents, extended family members, neighbors, babysitters—in the community. They renamed the weekly bilingual session Play Café and lengthened it from only a half hour to almost two. The block of time includes not only a story, songs, play time, and […]
- [Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families](https://prosperlincoln.org/three-principles-to-improve-outcomes-for-children-and-families/): Recent advances in the science of brain development offer us an unprecedented opportunity to solve some of society’s most challenging problems, from widening disparities in school achievement and economic productivity to costly health problems across the lifespan. Understanding how the experiences children have starting at birth, even prenatally, affect lifelong outcomes—combined with new knowledge about the core capabilities adults need to thrive as parents and in the workplace—provides a strong foundation upon which policymakers and civic leaders can design a shared and more effective agenda. The science of child development and the core capabilities of adults point to a set […]
- [Could we improve America by treating 2-year-olds better?](https://prosperlincoln.org/could-we-improve-america-by-treating-2-year-olds-better/): In Wichita, Kansas, single mother Tiffany McNitt sometimes cries after dropping her kids, aged 2 and 3, at their babysitter’s house on her way to work. It’s not just that she’ll miss them—she worries her children aren’t learning anything and are already falling behind. In Seattle, Tori Gottlieb and her husband agonized over spending 25 percent of their income on day care for their 2-year-old daughter last fall. They didn’t see how they could afford to have the second child they knew they wanted. Parents dread the terrible twos, but what makes the year so tough for many families isn’t […]
- [East High Students Build Little Free Library…and relationships](https://prosperlincoln.org/east-high-students-build-little-free-libraryand-relationships/): Last spring, after a classroom discussion on the importance of reading, East High senior Chantel Bade mentioned that she’d like to keep a supply of books at the trailer court her dad manages. That thoughtful idea blossomed into a school-wide effort to build and stock little free libraries in low-income neighborhoods in Lincoln. Equally as important as the libraries themselves? Getting to know the neighbors in those areas. Since August, over 300 East students and staff have embraced the project, which currently is focused on the Everett neighborhood and its elementary school, located 5 miles from East High. These high schoolers have […]
- [Fun for the Littlest Learners](https://prosperlincoln.org/fun-for-the-littlest-learners/): Learning doesn’t start on the first day of Kindergarten, so why wait until then to start a child’s education? Families in the South of Downtown neighborhood had a chance to kick-start their preschool-aged children’s education at an Early Childhood Fair at Everett Elementary on November 2, 2017. The event hosted by the school, Everett’s Community Learning Center (CLC), the South of Downtown Community Development Organization and Prosper Lincoln introduced families to fun activities that help young children learn and develop. One highlight for families was making edible play-dough out of pumpkin. “The recipe allowed children to practice basic counting and […]
- [Parents Burning the Midnight (and Weekend) Oil](https://prosperlincoln.org/parents-burning-the-midnight-and-weekend-oil/): Written by: Brian Knop, Fertility and Family Statistics Created by: United States Census Bureau Of the 72.3 million children in the United States living with at least one of their parents, 43 percent (31.0 million) live with a parent who is working a nonstandard schedule (Table 1). Any schedule that does not reflect the traditional Monday through Friday daytime schedule is considered nonstandard. Parents with more than one job are considered nonstandard workers if any of the jobs have nonstandard schedules, such as evenings/nights, irregular or weekend hours. However, in today’s 24/7 economy, many jobs exist outside the traditional daytime, […]
- [Site visits connect university students with innovative jobs](https://prosperlincoln.org/site-visits-connect-university-students-with-innovative-jobs/): For the second time in 2017, Prosper Lincoln is working to reach its objectives to connect students to innovation and retain talent. A recent Reverse Pitch event was held at Nebraska Innovation Campus where more than 260 computer science and engineering students learned about job opportunities and internships with highly successful Lincoln companies. Now students have a chance to visit these businesses and see the culture of these companies first hand. “The visits, coined State of the Practice events, are designed to open eyes and change perceptions about job opportunities and internships right here in Lincoln,” said Rich Claussen, Innovation […]
- [Early Childhood Community Conversation](https://prosperlincoln.org/early-childhood-community-conversation/): Prosper Lincoln held an Early Childhood Comprehensive Health Community Visioning Session on November 2, 2017 to look for ways to ensure children are healthy and Kindergarten-ready. Read the compilation of results from the conversation here.
- [United Way to Fund Workforce Development](https://prosperlincoln.org/united-way-to-fund-workforce-development/): The Prosper Lincoln focus area of Employment Skills has the goal of ensuring access to training and support for skilled in-demand jobs. United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County also understands that having a good job is a key to helping a family out of poverty. The local United Way looks at ways to incorporate United Way Worldwide goals into local impact. United Way’s focus on Income includes a three-prong approach that addresses workforce development, teaches money management skills and offers supports for basic needs as a way to help families have financial stability. “Evidence indicates theses three strategies are most effective […]
- [Top careers available in Lincoln, without degree](https://prosperlincoln.org/top-careers-available-in-lincoln-without-degree/): The unemployment rate in Lincoln is one of the lowest in the nation. But we are challenged by a lack of available skilled talent that companies need to grow and thrive. At the same time, families are living in poverty while working multiple part-time jobs and jumping from one job to another for an additional .50 cents or $1 per hour. “The solution is to connect people working in low-wage positions with available career-pathway jobs that provide on-job-training or require a quickly-earned certificate or Associates degree,” said Bryan Seck, employment skills developer for Prosper Lincoln. “A career pathway provides economic […]
- [The Preschool to Prison Pipeline](https://prosperlincoln.org/the-preschool-to-prison-pipeline/): Preschoolers are suspended from school at an alarming rate. And that is the start of the preschool to prison pipeline. High quality early childhood education is key.  
- [Reverse Pitch: Bringing Tech Careers to the Students](https://prosperlincoln.org/reverse-pitch-bringing-tech-careers-to-the-students/): At any given point, more than 200 software, computer science and tech jobs are open in Lincoln. If the innovation/entrepreneurial ecosystem is to grow, the city needs to attract talent – a challenge facing cities all across the country. So how do we recruit differently? We turn the traditional job fair on its head. On the night of October 24, 2017, more than 260 computer science and engineering students crowded into the Nebraska Innovation Campus conference center to learn about job opportunities and internships with highly successful Lincoln companies. The event, coined the “Reverse Pitch,” is the second in this […]
- [Bump in U.S. Incomes Doesn’t Erase 50 Years of Pain](https://prosperlincoln.org/bump-in-u-s-incomes-doesnt-erase-50-years-of-pain/): Incomes are up. Poverty is down. And job openings have hit a record high. But if the economy is so wonderful, why are so many Americans still feeling left behind? The disconnect between positive statistics and people’s day-to-day lives is one of the great economic and social puzzles of recent years. It helped fuel President Trump’s political rise and underpins the frustrations that played out in calls to build a Mexican border wall, reopen trade agreements, and bring back well-paid work in coal mines and factories. When the Census Bureau released its annual report on the country’s economic well-being on […]
- [Preschool’s hidden value may be in combating poverty](https://prosperlincoln.org/preschools-hidden-value-may-be-in-combating-poverty/): It’s been hard to prove that attending preschool makes a difference for kids, academically. Many research studies have found that children who didn’t go to preschool catch up to those who did in just a few years. By third grade, there’s often no difference in math and reading scores between the preschooled and the non-preschooled child. Experts call it “fadeout.” That hasn’t sat well with advocates of early childhood education. They point to other studies that have looked beyond elementary schools’ test scores, and have found that preschooled children are more likely to graduate from high school, be employed and […]
- [Young Readers Get Vital Support from Star Readers After School Program](https://prosperlincoln.org/young-readers-get-vital-support-from-star-readers-after-school-program/): According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, children who aren’t proficient in reading by the fourth grade are far less likely to graduate high school and attend college. The statistic becomes even more drastic for children from low-income families, and more drastic yet for children learning English as a second language. Last year, Sharon O’Neal decided to fight those statistics. She is one of many individuals who is making a difference by stepping up to the Prosper Lincoln community agenda. As a paraprofessional educator at Saratoga Elementary, a Title I school in Lincoln, O’Neal saw a need. While there were […]
- [2017 Summit asks nearly 1,000 Lincolnites to Step Up!](https://prosperlincoln.org/2017-summit-asks-nearly-1000-lincolnites-to-step-up/): The 2017 Prosper Lincoln Summit, held Wednesday, August 23 at Pinnacle Bank Arena, attracted nearly 1,000 individuals wishing to learn more about the community agenda designed to address the issues of early childhood, employment skills and innovation and entrepreneurship. The Summit featured the release of the latest Lincoln Vital Signs report as well as speakers who have engaged in activities that further the Prosper Lincoln Strategic Plan. Making connections was a common thread as speakers talked about connecting students to innovation, helping people find careers through case managers and providing scholarships so babies and toddlers from low income families can […]
- [2017 Lincoln Vital Signs Report](https://prosperlincoln.org/2017-lincoln-vital-signs-report-2/): View the 2017 Lincoln Vital Signs tab here. Visit the Lincoln Vital Signs website at http://lincolnvitalsigns.org/
- [Tower Square Video 2017](https://prosperlincoln.org/tower-square-video-2017/)
- [Opening Students' Eyes to the World of Innovation](https://prosperlincoln.org/opening-students-eyes-to-the-world-of-innovation/): For more than a decade, Lincoln has been emerging as a hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. And now, thanks to the Inside/Outside Innovation Summit, there’s a conference dedicated to the growth of all three. The inaugural event, which hosted more than 500 attendees and dozens of corporations and startups, was held June 19-21 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Keynote speakers from all over the country came to talk about how to navigate the often choppy waters of new technologies and emerging markets. Break-out sessions and workshops provided hands-on experience for all attendees. When Brian Ardinger from local enterprise consulting firm, […]
- [Toolkit Helps Parents Explore Early Childhood at Everett Elementary](https://prosperlincoln.org/toolkit-helps-parents-explore-early-childhood-at-everett-elementary/): Michelle Suarez, Prosper Lincoln’s Early Childhood Developer, is finishing a pilot curriculum at Everett Elementary that she calls “Strengthening Families.” This early childhood toolkit is designed to help educate parents on the importance of early childhood education. Parents of young children meet for 2 hours per week, exploring a different topic such as nurturing, social connections, support and parental resilience. After learning about the day’s topic, parents learn about a book they can share with their child and do a related hands-on STEM activity that they replicate at home. “One of our strategic goals is to help the community become […]
- [Lincoln Business Task Force takes collaborative approach connecting people to careers](https://prosperlincoln.org/lincoln-business-task-force-takes-collaborative-approach-connecting-people-to-careers/): Businesses in Lincoln need skilled workers. But with unemployment rates being at a historic low, finding employees isn’t easy. In Lincoln, there are multiple agencies and organizations that now work together to connect clients to in-demand career pathways to achieve personal and family stability. The goal of the Lincoln Business Task Force is to improve communication across agencies to meet employer needs. The Task Force achieves this goal in three ways: sharing information about employer needs, building relationships with human resource and recruiting leads, and hosting case manager job tours. First, members of the Task Force meet with area businesses […]
- [Collective Impact Propels Early Childhood Efforts in Lincoln](https://prosperlincoln.org/collective-impact-propels-early-childhood-efforts-in-lincoln/): Published 3-28-2017 A community-wide collaborative group of more than 100 individuals focused on early childhood (ages 0-8) has formed to serve Lincoln’s children — the Lincoln Early Childhood Network (LECN). It addresses one of the strategies for Prosper Lincoln’s early childhood work, led by developer Michelle Suarez. The LECN is being developed in partnership with the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NeAEYC) Alternative Response work and Nebraska Children and Families Foundation’s Rooted in Relationships implementation. The LECN also builds on decades of expertise and work in early childhood throughout the community. To guide the priorities of the […]
- [“State of the Practice” feeds students more than free chicken strips](https://prosperlincoln.org/state-of-the-practice-feeds-students-more-than-free-chicken-strips/): Prosper Lincoln is sponsoring a new series of “State of the Practice” events that give University of Nebraska-Lincoln Computer Science and Engineering students a chance to become better acquainted with the companies that presented at January’s Reverse Pitch event. The nine featured organizations are hosting similar, but smaller, events as groups of two or three at new locations throughout the spring 2017 semester. ​On March 16, more than two dozen students were bussed to a State of the Practice event at Firespring’s office in south Lincoln. There they met with developers, coders and other technology professionals from Firespring and Nelnet to […]
- [Year 1 Employment Skills Successes (2016)](https://prosperlincoln.org/year-1-employment-skills-successes-2016/): 1. Case Manager & Employer Job Fair and tours – Almost everyone in Lincoln has a job. The challenge for Bryan Seck and Mike Milbourn is to connect people from part-time, low-wage jobs into a career that can create financial stability. Sixty-five case managers from 25 agencies and 17 employers connected at a job fair in October. Many case managers have over 100 people on their caseload. Now, case managers receive direct emails from employers with new openings and take monthly employer tours (at Duncan Aviation, Cabela’s, Bryan Health and more) to understand the best possible career pathway positions for their […]
- [Year 1 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Successes (2016)](https://prosperlincoln.org/year-1-innovation-entrepreneurship-successes-2016/): 1. Providing and enhancing connectivity in the ecosystem – Rich Claussen is providing connections for start-ups to existing successful businesses, connecting traditional successful businesses to those who can help them infuse innovation into their organizations and connecting policy makers to those who need an assist in growing their business. 2. Connecting students to internships and jobs in the ecosystem – On January 12, 2017, a Reverse Pitch event was held, connecting nine tech-driven businesses (representing 75 internships and 92 jobs) to over 200 University of Nebraska students in the computer science and engineering field. Four follow-up State of the Practice events […]
- [Year 1 Prosper Lincoln Early Childhood Successes (2016)](https://prosperlincoln.org/year-1-prosper-lincoln-early-childhood-successes-2016/): 1. Building relationships and partnerships in the early childhood arena while sharing the Prosper Lincoln early childhood agenda – Michelle Suarez has already met with over 100 representatives from more than 60 community organizations to share the Prosper Lincoln early childhood agenda and learn about the strengths, challenges and recommendations for early childhood in Lincoln. We know that the early years lay the very foundation for one’s life and great things are happening for many young children in Lincoln. We also know that many children are in need of high-quality early learning care and experiences and that is why the […]
- [Investing in the Brain Architecture of our Children](https://prosperlincoln.org/investing-in-the-brain-architecture-of-our-children/): Local experts in the field of early childhood development recently met with more than 100 local leaders from businesses of all sizes, both national and entrepreneurial. Coordinated by Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Prosper Lincoln and Dividends Nebraska, the meeting raised awareness of the importance of high quality early childhood development and how the lack of it affects employees of the future. Ninety percent of a child’s brain is developed by age eight, so investing in high quality early childhood learning opportunities drives increased productivity in the workplace and helps economic development in the community. One expert at the meeting, Dr. Marjorie Kostelnik, University of […]
- [Keeping Young Talent in Lincoln](https://prosperlincoln.org/keeping-young-talent-in-lincoln/): Many of us have heard for sometime now that technology jobs in Lincoln need to be filled. We also know that aspiring University students have a desire to know what career opportunities exist right here in the white hot epicenter of the Silicon Prairie. We decided to stop talking about it and start to do something about it. So on January 12, 2017, Prosper Lincoln, in collaboration with the Lincoln technology community and the University of Nebraska (UNL), hosted a first-of-its-kind “Reverse Pitch” event. It helped well over 200 students in UNL’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering see what their […]
- [Research: Starting Early Yields Greater Returns](https://prosperlincoln.org/research-starting-early-yields-greater-returns/): Start at birth, coordinate services into comprehensive early childhood programs, and achieve greater economic and social gains. New research from Nobel Laureate economist James J. Heckman finds that comprehensive, birth-to-age-5 early childhood programs can produce higher economic returns than those previously estimated. ​ Professor Heckman’s latest research, “The Lifecycle Benefits of an Influential Early Childhood Program,” shows that high quality birth-to-five programs for disadvantaged children can deliver a 13% per year return on investment — a rate substantially higher than the 7-10% return previously established for preschool programs serving 3- to 4-year-olds. Significant gains are realized through better outcomes in […]
- [Career Connections Start Early](https://prosperlincoln.org/career-connections-start-early/): Published 11/30/2016 Connecting middle school students (employees of the future)  with local employers Angie Plugge, principal of Dawes Middle School, recently contacted our Prosper Lincoln Employment Skills Developers. The school wants to create better a connection between their students and local businesses and careers, and had a feeling Bryan Seck and Mike Milbourn could help them do that. On November 15, representatives from three local businesses – Kawasaki, Lincoln Industries and Pixel Bakery –  joined Seck and Milbourn to visit with Dawes’ entire student body.​ ​ To kick off the presentation, Seck asked “Who likes to make stuff?” and “Who likes to create cartoons […]
- [Early Childhood Success Story](https://prosperlincoln.org/early-childhood-success-story/): Connecting the Prosper Lincoln Pillars As a long-time participant in Everett Elementary School’s family literacy program, Rosa refined her English literacy skills and visited her children’s classrooms to see how they were learning, so she could help them with homework. When the new Family Learning opportunity came along, Rosa didn’t hesitate to join. The goals of the program were to increase family mentoring, service learning, and parent and family time together. While Rosa was participating in the family program offerings, her children enjoyed high quality childcare, preschool and school age services. As her English literacy skills increased, Rosa began to […]

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