“It’s never too early or too late to learn.”
Lois Poppe, Executive Director, 1987-1998
Making an Impact in Lincoln Since 1972
In 1972, Lincoln Literacy Council (LLC) was established by a group of volunteers who used the Laubach Literacy method to help native-born Americans learn to read and write and finish their GEDs. The City of Lincoln began to receive large numbers of refugees, mostly Vietnamese, in the 1980s. Lincoln Literacy (LL) was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1993.
Since then, LL has grown prodigiously yet maintained its reliance on trained volunteers as instructors. Beginning with a few dozen tutoring matches at the time of incorporation, it now serves more than a thousand people annually through a combination of hundreds of one-to-one tutoring matches and a wide array of small-group classes held at several locations throughout the city.
Our Timeline
1972
LLC is formed
Following a visit to Nebraska by Dr. Frank Laubauch, volunteers form Lincoln Literacy Council (LLC), as part of the Literacy Council of Nebraska.
1976
ESL is offered
LLC begins to provide English as a Second Language. 84 volunteers registered for the first training.
1981
TV ads and a hotline
National Ad Council launches highly successful TV ads urging illiterate adults to seek help.
Coalition For Literacy – 1984 Ad Council PSA
With backing from Northwestern Metal, Lincoln Literacy sets up a hotline for Nebraska callers.
1987
First executive director
Lincoln Literacy hires its first executive director, Lois Poppe, and rents its first offices.
1998
A new executive director
After Lois retires, Terry Showalter becomes executive director.
2000
Moved to 9th and G
Rented offices at 745 S 9th St.
2006
The Academy is launched
Clayton Naff becomes executive director. With backing from Woods Charitable Fund, the English
Language and Literacy Academy is launched.
2007
A grant, a mural, and a new program
Received the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant. Year-round health literacy seminars made possible.
Faridun Zoda’s “Lamp of Literacy” mural is unveiled.
LLC launches FLAIR, its family literacy program.
2011
A new name
A board-led rebrand changed our name to Lincoln Literacy.
For the first time, the number served tops 1,000.
2018
CNA Prep
CNA Prep program begins.
2019
GED Prep & another award
GED Prep gels underway / Lincoln Literacy wins “Step Up” Award from Prosper Lincoln.
2020
Breakthrough Initiative of the Year
Woods Charitable Fund names “Bridgeway to a Better Life” the Breakthrough Initiative of the Year.
2022
New executive director
Workforce programs begin, Computer Literacy expands.
Bryan Seck becomes executive director.
2023
New office building
Workforce Programs, Teacher Pathways, and Health Care Pathways expand.
Lincoln Literacy raises over $1.9 million to purchase a 10,000-square-foot building and moves offices from 9th and G to 1023 Lincoln Mall.
2024
New driving simulator
Driving simulator purchased to introduce immigrants and refugees to Driving in the USA.
2024
Jane Geske Award
Lincoln Literacy won the Jane Geske Award from the Nebraska Center for the Book.
Honors and Awards
Lincoln Literacy has won a succession of awards for its innovation, partnering skill, and effectiveness in producing transformative outcomes.
- 2005 Governor’s Award for Innovation from ProLiteracy
- Innovative partnering award from the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands
- Health literacy partnership award from Lincoln’s Community Health Endowment
- Assisting Women to Achieve Their Potential Award from the YWCA of Lincoln
- 2011 Nonprofit Executive of the Year Award to Executive Director Clayton Naff
- 2019 Step Up Award for workforce development efforts from Prosper Lincoln
- 2020 Breakthrough Initiative of the Year for Bridgeway to a Better Life initiative from the Woods Charitable Fund
- 2024 Jane Geske Award from the Nebraska Center for the Book
English Language and Literacy Academy
Founded in 2006, our free educational partnership English Language and Literacy Academy (ELLA) has grown to include schools, ethnic agencies, churches, community centers, businesses, health providers, and libraries. Among its alumni are refugees who have gone on to complete college degrees, immigrants who have entered careers, and formerly illiterate Americans who have started successful businesses.
Read more about our impact on our blog.
Thanks to Our Funders
We thank our national funders for their support of our programs, including United Way, the Cigna Foundation, and the Dollar General Foundation, as well as local funders such as the Woods Charitable Fund, Sherwood Foundation, Acklie Charitable Foundation, the Cooper Foundation, and the Lincoln Community Foundation.
Bridgeway to a Better Life
More recently, LL extended our continuum of literacy services through the Bridgeway to a Better Life initiative, which connects our English language classes to workforce development. Our newest neighbors first master the basics of English language literacy and then go on to gain essential life and occupational skills and certifications that will allow them to reenter their trained careers, get living-wage jobs, build new careers, and maximize their potential. Woods Charitable Fund is the principal funder of the Bridgeway program.
Educational Childcare
In 2007, LL’s Family Literacy for Immigrants and Refugees (FLAIR) program was established to help hundreds of newly arrived immigrant and refugee children succeed in school. Today, this program has evolved into free educational childcare which we offer during our classes to ensure our youngest learners are exposed to English and educational activities while their parents learn in our classes.
Locations
Over the years, Lincoln Literacy has occupied several different locations in Lincoln, Nebraska:
- Mid 1980s — 2601 P St., Second Presbyterian Church
- Late 1980s — 315 S. 9th., Suite 11
- Mid 1990s — 301 N. 9th, Peanut Butter Factory building
- Late 1990s — 1625 N St., Suite B
- Late 1990s — 645 M St., Suite 15
- Around 2002 — 745 S. 9th St.
- 2023 — 1023 Lincoln Mall, Suite 104