Do you or a family member attend a Lincoln Community Learning Center? Do you have a great idea for how to improve your community? This summer, Civic Nebraska and Lincoln Community Learning Centers are giving CLC-connected students and families an opportunity to put their ideas into action.
Through Aug. 12, Lincoln CLC families are invited to apply for mini-grants of up to $350 to put toward a project that helps engage and improve their neighborhoods. Examples of projects include but are not limited to community gardens, Little Free Libraries, food drives, litter cleanups, neighborhood newsletters, and community tree plantings.
“During this time of physical distancing, we want to continue to support our students, families, and communities in building the resilience of their neighborhoods. This is one small way we can continue to foster connection and growth,” said Chelsea Egenberger of Civic Nebraska, who is the school community coordinator for Lincoln High’s CLC. “We hope CLC families will develop community improvement projects that fit their passion and community.”
Egenberger and Erin Voichoski, Civic Nebraska’s school community coordinator at Lincoln Northeast’s CLC, have worked since the onset of physical distancing to deliver meaningful resources to students and families. Part of that service has been digital: In May, Civic Nebraska opened CIVIC U., an online multimedia learning and enrichment hub for K-12 students.
The mini-grants, which will make use of funds originally planned for in-person summer CLC activities, will take that spirit of civic engagement another step, Egenberger said.
Organizers hope to fund 10 to 14 projects, depending on the costs of individual proposals.
For more information on the mini-grant program and how to apply, visit the mini-grant home page at CIVIC U. The grants are only available this summer.
“We’re looking forward to learning together and supporting these projects as a community,” Egenberger said.
