At a large table in the middle of the café, no one is talking. All eyes are focused on the books in the front of them. The same level of attention goes on at ten other meetings of the Next Chapter Book Club held around the metro.
The Next Chapter Book Club brings together adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to socialize, improve reading skills, and practice their life skills. Thanks to a grant from the United Way, there will be four more book clubs by the end of the year.
The dedicated grant from the United Way of the Midlands (www.UnitedWayMidlands.org) is part of a total investment package of $102,800 for Ollie Webb programs for this year.
“We are so grateful for the United Way’s commitment to our organization,” said Laurie Ackermann, Executive Director of Ollie Webb Center, Inc. “Right now we have a waiting list of people wanting to join the book club. The dollars from the United Way will help us make the book club accessible to more people and, in turn, help them increase their literacy skills.”
Ollie Webb Center, Inc. (www.olliewebbinc.org) is made up of two organizations: The Arc of Omaha and Career Solutions, Inc. Both are focused on enriching the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through support, programs and advocacy.