🏡 West A/Roper Weekly Gazette

Issue #1 | Week of August 17 – August 23, 2026

🗣️ Community Highlights

Welcome back to a brand new school year across the Roper/West A neighborhood! As hallways at Roper Elementary and Park Middle School fill with energy, our local community partners, educators, and parent organizations are stepping up to ensure every family starts the semester connected, supported, and engaged. From classroom supply setups to after-school routines, the spirit of collaboration is alive across our entire corner of Lincoln.

A major focus this week is the expanded network of neighborhood programs serving our youth. With before- and after-school child care partnerships active through Willard Community Center, community-driven enrichment via the Roper Community Learning Center (CLC), and local youth organizations like Cub Scouts Pack 55 welcoming new families, our students have strong avenues for growth both during and outside school hours.

We extend a sincere thank you to the neighborhood volunteers, teachers, and leaders at Willard Community Center, VFW Post 3606, and our school PTOs who continue to build a safe, welcoming, and resilient community between SW 50th and 8th Street.

🗓️ Events Calendar

Cub Scouts Pack 55 Sign-Up & Info Night
- 📍 Where: Local Neighborhood Unit / Online Registration
- ⏰ When: Open Enrollment / Weekly Meetings
- 📝 Details: Open to neighborhood youth interested in outdoor skills, leadership, and community service. Find unit details and get registered at BeAScout.scouting.org.
Learn American Mahjong at Willard
- 📍 Where: Willard Community Center (1245 S. Folsom St.)
- ⏰ When: Tuesday, August 18 @ 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- 📝 Details: Join neighbors for a free drop-in American Mahjong session. Open to all experience levels from curious beginners to seasoned players.
Lincoln Community Foundation Garden Summer Performance Series
- 📍 Where: Lincoln Community Foundation Garden (1415 N St.)
- ⏰ When: Wednesday, August 19 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- 📝 Details: Free live lunchtime concert by local artists in the garden. Bring a chair or lunch and enjoy the outdoors.
VFW Post 3606 Neighborhood Social & Fellowship
- 📍 Where: Miller-Long VFW Post 3606 (3340 W. A St.)
- ⏰ When: Friday, August 21 @ 6:30 PM
- 📝 Details: Family-friendly community gathering and game night open to veterans, families, and neighborhood supporters.

🆘 Social Services & Support for People in Need

🥦 Food Access & Meal Programs:
- Food Resource Guide: Access verified local food pantries, emergency meal distributions, and mobile food sites anytime via the MRP Food Resource Guide.
- Garden Produce Donations & Recovery: Connect with local pantries to donate extra home garden harvest or find fresh produce through AmpleHarvest.org.
- Food Bank Backpack Program: Weekend nutritional packages are available for students at Roper Elementary through the Food Bank of Lincoln Backpack Program. Check with school counselors for enrollment details.
👶 Child Care & Youth Programs:
- Roper Community Learning Center (CLC): Explore after-school clubs, academic enrichment, and community input via the Roper CLC and the School Neighborhood Advisory Committee (SNAC).
- Willard Community Center Care: Licensed before- and after-school care serving Roper Elementary, along with the Early Explorers preschool program. Inquire directly at Willard (1245 S. Folsom St.) for remaining slot availability.
- Little Wonderland Daycare: Located at 2615 W. Timberlake Dr., providing early childhood care and daily transportation to Roper Elementary.
- Fitting Futures Foundation: Providing essential youth apparel, shoes, and clothing resources on-site at Roper Elementary. Learn more at Fitting Futures Foundation.
🤝 Emergency & Community Assistance:
- Roper Good Neighbor Fund & We Can Do This: Direct, confidential support for neighborhood families navigating unexpected emergencies, utility challenges, or back-to-school gaps.
- VFW Post 3606 Veteran Outreach: Dedicated community support and service advocacy for veterans and military families along West A Street.

🌶️ Brought to You by MRP

This newsletter is brought to you by Mystic Rhoads Productions (MRP)—a local non-profit empowering communities through education, healthy lifestyles, and environmental appreciation. 100% of profits from MRP’s product lines (like Dirt Nap Dip and baldorf gear) go directly toward local causes, including food security guides and youth support at Park Middle School.