The Lincoln Community Learning Centers (CLCs) have had a stellar year, including being awarded Community Health Endowment’s inaugural Place Matters Pioneer Award. They also capped off a year of growth and innovation.

One of the things that helps make the CLCs so effective, is their collaboration with several local nonprofits to lead and support their programs in elementary schools.

In one collaboration, Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln (PHL) oversees 40 afterschool Wellness Clubs, offering nutrition education using fresh Nebraska produce, fitness programs, and support for school gardens. Learn more about the CLCs and PHL's programs.

Vitamin K and a Concerning Trend

Vitamin K refusal shows concerning trends, increasing 77% (from 2.1% to 5.2%) from 2017 to 2024. This shot prevents Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a condition where newborns bleed spontaneously because they can’t yet produce enough clotting factors.

The classical form affects as many as 1 in 60 to 1 in 250 unprotected infants. In other words, even a small increase in refusal translates directly into preventable harm.

What this means for you: If your child receives standard care (the routine childhood vaccination schedule and no refusal of the Vitamin K shot), they are very well protected. On a population level, though, we have a real problem. 

More from Dr. Jetelina: latest public health trends, good news and bad.

Summer Fun and Celebrating the Power of Neighborhoods

In June, NeighborWorks Lincoln will join NeighborWorks America and the nearly 250 other NeighborWorks network organizations serving communities across the country to celebrate National NeighborWorks Week.

Every year, thousands of residents, businesses, and elected and civic leaders nationwide participate in local celebrations of the impact NeighborWorks organizations have in their respective communities.

This year, NWL invites the Lincoln community to two events during NeighborWorks Week, an historic bike tour, a neighborhood clean up, and then hosts a number of fun summer events, including a backyard BBQ!

Learn more in their May highlight.

Supporting Our Mission

Putting Kids on the Road to Good Health

Learning to ride a bike sets kids up for a lifetime of healthy activity, lowering the risk of chronic disease. Cycling helps kids to:

• maintain a healthy weight
• improve cardiovascular fitness 
• boost muscle development, flexibility, and strength
• build strong bones and joint mobility, and
• aids brain development. 

This year, Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln, is dedicating your donations to provide All Kids Bike kits, which includes education, helmets, and transitional training bicycles, to every elementary school in Lincoln to teach kids to ride.

Your gift can help put kids on the road to good health.

DONATE NOW

May is National Bike Month

To celebrate National Bike Month in May, check out Lincoln’s trail system and local cycling events. Riders can track their miles and find more information about the National Bike Month Challenge here. Some of the local cycling events this spring include the following:

Tour de Lincoln: Free event hosted by the Great Plains Trails Network. Rides begin at 6PM at the Jayne Snyder Trails Center, 228 North 21st St. More information. Ride schedule:

• May 7 – Northwest Tour, 12 mi.
• May 14 – Northeast Tour, 18 mi.
• May 21 –Southwest Tour, 16 mi.
• May 28 – Southeast Tour, 15 mi.

Conservation Nebraska Group Ride

May 30, 2:30PM Holmes Lake/Jayne Snyder Trails Center. Hosted by Conservation Nebraska and BikeLNK for anyone interested in learning more about Lincoln's trails and bikeshare system. Email to Sign up.

Trail Trek - June 28, 6AM - 1PM, registration now open, includes bike giveaways. Learn more, register

Mayor proclaims start to the 2026 Growing and Sharing Season

Whether it’s in a plot of dirt, a container, or window pot, gardening offers more than the nutritional benefits of fresh produce and saving money by growing your own vegetables. It is also good for your physical, mental, and emotional health!

Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln and other community health advocates from across the city came together on March 30 to celebrate their collaborative efforts in support of home, neighborhood, and community gardens.

To fight food insecurity, advocates encouraged gardeners to donate excess fresh produce to local food pantries and neighbors in need through the Grow for Hunger campaign. Find donation sites locally at AmpleHarvest.org

Find info and resources for planting, maintaining and sharing garden produce: HealthyLincoln.org/PlantGrowShareBuild

Bowl for a Cause

The Wellbeing Initiative is hosting the 2026 Strike Out Stigma Bowlathon on May 9, from 3-7PM (lane times 3:30-5PM or 5:30-7PM) at SunValley Lanes, 321 Victory Lane.

This fun, family-friendly event is an opportunity to support peer-based services for our neighbors facing mental health and/or substance use challenges.

More info/sign up/tickets.

View What's New

When the weather gets warmer, people start visiting lakes and fishing ponds, making water safety important. Find water safety tips in a variety of different languages ensuring everyone stays safe.

Youth suicide is on the rise. Learn about the nonprofit, Where There's a Will, There's Hope, and the voices of youth suicide prevention in this podcast.

Find more LNKTV Health videos:

• on their website,
• You Tube channel,
• TV channels, and
• on KZUM FM radio podcasts!

Monday, May 18, 1-3PM Aging Partners Health and Fitness and BikeLNK will co-host “Bikeshare 101,” an interactive learning session designed to acquaint Lincoln’s seniors with Lincoln’s bikeshare system and cycling. Event begins at the BikeLNK station located near the Jayne Snyder Trails Center, 21st and “Q” streets.

Sessions include a hands-on overview of Lincoln’s bikeshare system followed by a group ride to explore some of Lincoln’s bike trails. Registration is required at 402-441-7575. Helmets, electric and regular bikes, provided at no charge. More info.

Lincoln Heart Walk

May 9, Antelope Park

Cardiovascular disease occurs every 39 seconds and is the No. 1 killer of all Americans. Heart disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. And congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.

The American Heart Association in Lincoln invites you to walk as an individual or a team to fight heart disease.

Learn more, register.

Lincoln Parks & Recreation

City Pools Opening Day

Lincoln City Pools will open on May 25. Sign up for June and July swim lessons by May 11. Also find information about season passes, leagues, and other aquatics programs.

Times vary by location. Learn more.

Centered Together is an outdoor community celebration bringing supporters, partners, and advocates together for an evening of connection and purpose in support of CenterPointe. More info/tickets.