Growing Together at The Malone Center
For nearly 70 years, the Clyde Malone Community Center has been helping children and families in Lincoln. Founded in 1955 through the reorganization of the Lincoln Urban League, the Malone Center was created to help improve opportunities for families and bring people together. Today, it continues that mission by helping break the cycle of poverty, creating opportunities for children to succeed, and honoring the Black community of Lincoln.
The Malone Center is a place where kids can learn, grow, and feel like they belong. From preschool through the teen years, children are welcomed into a safe, caring environment where they can make friends, try new activities, and build confidence.
Programs begin with the Early Achievers Academy for children ages three to five and continue with after-school, summer, and teen programs. Kids can get homework help, explore STEM projects, create art and music, play sports, and join leadership activities. Every program is designed to help children discover new interests while learning skills they can use in school, at home, and in their future careers. The Malone Center also supports families through maternal wellness, athletics, and family engagement programs that help people of all ages thrive.
The Malone Center also teaches important life skills. Kids learn how to work as a team, solve problems, make healthy choices, and become leaders in their community.
As they get older, they can mentor younger students, volunteer, and help make a difference for others.
An exciting new chapter is just beginning. The Malone Center recently moved into a new 52,000-square-foot building that makes room for even more children and families. The new space includes STEM classrooms, a full-size gym, community gathering areas, a commercial kitchen, and spaces built for learning, wellness, and play. It allows the Malone Center to offer more programs and welcome even more families.
The Malone Center is also helping preserve Lincoln’s history. Working with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries, it is protecting thousands of photographs, documents, and other items that tell the story of Lincoln’s Black community. By sharing these stories, future generations can learn about the people who helped shape our city.
Families are an important part of everything the Malone Center does. Parents are encouraged to join events, stay involved with programs, volunteer, and work alongside staff to help children succeed.
If the staff could share one message with every child in Lincoln, it would be this:
You matter.
Your story matters.
The Malone Center is a place where you can be yourself, try new things, build confidence, and discover your strengths—with adults and a community that believes in you every step of the way!
Learn more at malonecenter.org.