OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An Omaha organization founded nearly 50 years ago by a librarian wanting to help people improve their literacy skills will soon be closing.
The Literacy Center of the Midlands will close permanently April 17. The center stopped offering classes April 11, the Omaha World-Herald reported .
“It’s been a privilege to serve the community and the adults who have these literacy needs,” said Linda Butkus, the center’s CEO. “And our heart goes out to everybody. We hope everyone lands in a good spot. And we’re encouraging our students to continue their education goals.”
The Literacy Center’s board voted last month to dissolve the center when they learned they didn’t have enough money to stay open.
Butkus said the center received funding from various foundations, individual donations and the state over the years. There was no specific funding loss that led to the center’s financial standing, she said.
“The whole environment just changed as time progressed,” she said. “We continued to grow as an organization as well, and the needs of our students outpaced our ability to fund the center.”
The center was serving about 500 students, according to Butkus. About 15 employees were paid staff. More than 80 people volunteer to teach adult basic education, pre-GED courses, English as a Second Language programs and more.
“I’m very upset because now I’ve got to start all over,” said Barbara Thomas, whose 17-year-old son just started taking pre-GED courses this month. “I’m frustrated with the whole thing. But the staff there was super great.”
Butkus said some volunteers will continue tutoring students despite the center’s closing.
“Our volunteers are very compassionate and connected to our students, and they hope to stay connected to them,” she said. “But not under our name.”
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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com
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