Dina Lopez and her 5-year-old daughter, Hazel, both have benefited from the programs offered by the Learning Community Center of South Omaha.
Dina discovered activities she could do at home with all of her kids and has taken parenting classes, English classes and a workforce development course. Hazel has learned about her letters and how she should raise her hand to ask questions in class. Hazel also is learning to play the violin.
The Learning Community Center, at 23rd and M Streets, takes a two-generation approach to its course offerings. Parents can participate in ESL and GED classes and pursue financial and computer literacy as well as other offerings.
While parents are in class, their children get ready for kindergarten as they learn such basic concepts as shapes, sizes, colors, letters and numbers.
The center also helps families with food insecurity and challenges finding employment.
“During our graduation ceremonies, we hear from parent participants in their own words how much this program has meant to them and how life-changing it has been for themselves and for their children,” said Anne O’Hara, the center’s director.
An analysis of the South Omaha center’s work shows that children with parents who participate in the center’s programming showed improvement in their ability to plan, initiate and complete activities needed for learning.
Dina said Hazel’s teacher has told her that Hazel was a leader in her classroom. Hazel starts kindergarten at Chandler View Elementary in mid-August.
As for Dina, the center’s classes have helped her grow “as a person, as a mom and as a student,” and she would recommend them to anyone.
