Lincoln Literacy’s Global Celebration Raises Over $84,000

Pictured above: Guests at Lincoln Literacy’s 2024 Global Celebration at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.
Photo credit: Charles Haacker

“We will continue the work because we are a welcoming community.”

Lincoln, NE — Lincoln Literacy proudly announces the success of its 2024 Global Celebration, held on Saturday, November 9, at The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. The event brought together approximately 300 guests and raised an impressive $84,180 to support the organization’s mission of empowering learners through literacy and language education.

This year, Lincoln Literacy celebrates unprecedented growth, with a record-breaking number of students served. For the first time, the organization anticipates serving more than 2,000 students from 75 countries in a single year, with 76% of participants improving by at least one level on their English assessments.

Keynote speaker Sandra Rojo, Lincoln Literacy’s Associate Director for ELL Programs, shared a powerful message during the event, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of learning English:

“I came to this country with dreams of a better life. At first, I felt isolated and struggled to find a path forward. Lincoln Literacy not only taught me the language but also gave me confidence, connections, and a community. Today, I’m proud to help others navigate this same journey.”

Bryan Seck, Lincoln Literacy’s Executive Director, emphasized the generational impact of Lincoln Literacy’s programs. He spoke of one 6:30 AM class at Hexagon Agility, where three adults from Sudan, Iraq, and Vietnam learn English together.

“At Lincoln Literacy, we meet students where they are, providing them with the tools to succeed. From English classes to job readiness programs, we create pathways for new Americans to thrive in their new home.”

Another speaker, Lincoln Literacy Adult Skills Coordinator Amir Waly, shared his experience:

“I meet great people every day, people who are doctors, lawyers, engineers, people who are skilled, have skills in construction, in all sorts of domains that we may think of . . . Most people need to have good jobs because they need to take care of their families. They need to start a new life in the United States. So we make a plan to help them find a job or get the training they need to advance in their career.”

The event also featured speeches from City Councilman Tom Beckius and Board President Tasha Everman, along with traditional Ukrainian music performed by Alex Barbalov and his team, as well as a captivating Kokyo Taiko drum performance. Guests enjoyed a three-course plated dinner and table service provided by The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.

Executive Director Bryan Seck concluded the evening with gratitude for the community’s unwavering support:

“We will continue the work because we are a welcoming community. The support of this community makes all of this possible.“

The evening’s success was made possible by sponsors like Chris Stone, ALLO Fiber, TMCO, Inc., Donlan Foundation, Duncan Aviation, Nelnet, Inc., and Union Bank & Trust. A full list of sponsors and donors is available on Lincoln Literacy’s Global Celebration page.

To support Lincoln Literacy’s work, visit www.lincolnliteracy.org/give.

About Lincoln Literacy

Founded in 1972, Lincoln Literacy is an award-winning 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping people gain the language and workplace skills they need to succeed. With the help of over 200 trained volunteer tutors, Lincoln Literacy offers more than 100 weekly classes across Lincoln, ensuring access to education in schools, churches, partner non-profits, and local businesses. In 2024, it serves 2,000 students from 75 countries.

By empowering learners, Lincoln Literacy continues to transform lives and strengthen the community.

For more information, visit www.lincolnliteracy.org.