How to Become A Snack Sponsor for the Platte Valley Literacy Association

It’s a New Year, and we’re looking for supporters! One way to help adult students achieve success is by becoming a Snack Sponsor.

Food is a love language. Whether you’re cooking your family a meal or asking a friend to meet you for dessert, food is a way to let others know how much you care.

When you were a kid, more than likely, one of the highlights of your school day was snack time. There was something satisfying about taking a break from learning and indulging in a delicious treat.

Things do not change all that much once you become an adult learner. Snack time is still a time of enjoyment and indulgence. 

Here at the PVLA, adults come to us to learn English as a second language for better employment opportunities, to help their child with homework, to communicate with their children’s teachers, and to be able to talk to those of us that only speak English. 

The majority of our students also work full-time jobs and have families to care for. Many either attend class then go directly to their job or come directly from work to class.

Being able to take a break to recharge body and mind is beneficial, and you can help an adult student achieve success by becoming a Snack Sponsor. Whether you want to donate money or products, you can make a student’s day brighter and better. 

As a Snack Sponsor, you will receive recognition in the Snack Corner with a sign announcing your generous donation*. If you have flyers or business cards you want to share, we will display those as well.

Sponsorships are for one month at a time, with a donation of $260, and will provide our students with granola bars, water, Gatorade, and any other treat the budget will allow for. You can pay for your sponsorship online or send a check to:

Platte Valley Literacy Association

3020 18th St, Box 3

Columbus, NE 68601

If you prefer to donate products but don’t know what to get, you can check out PVLA’s Spark Good Registry on Walmart.com. Pick some items from the list, pay for them, and they will be shipped directly to us. After making your purchase, make sure to send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com so that we can give you the recognition you deserve.



*Donation receipts are available upon request.

Putting Together New Student Packets

As a kid, one of the most exciting times of the year was getting new school supplies. You no doubt anticipated going to the store and finding the perfect notebook or folder that would attract attention and bring a smile to your face—and potentially make your classmates jealous.

If you have your own kids, you’ve more than likely noticed how excited and particular they are about the supplies they buy for school.

Just because a student is an adult, that doesn’t mean the thrill of acquiring school supplies has dwindled. The issue is knowing what to get or being able to afford the items.

Making It Easy to Go Back to School

Here at the PVLA, in partnership with CCC Adult Education, our goal is to make it as easy as possible for adults to go back to school. Whether they want to improve their English-speaking skills, earn a GED, or obtain their U.S. citizenship, they have to attend classes to acquire the skills and knowledge that is going to benefit them.

Adult students already have enough to worry about; school supplies shouldn’t be added to their list.

That’s why we want to be able to provide them with New Student Packets.

What Are New Student Packets?

Adult learners don’t need much, but having the basics can be beneficial. Our goal is to raise money to put together New Student Packets that consist of folders, notebooks, pens, and pencils.

That’s where you, the donor, come into play.

You can help us put together new student packets by buying ad space. The cost of the ads goes to paying for school supplies that contribute to learning, with 100% of the funds going to the products.

Ads will be printed and placed in student folders every 3 months and hung around the PVLA, with the following schedule:

• July to September
• October to December
• January to March
• April to June

You can choose to have your ads run for one quarter or longer. As you can imagine, the pricing will change based on the length of time you choose, but the cost is still incredibly affordable.

You also get to choose between three ad sizes, including full page, half page, and box ads (of which, six fit to a page). You even have the option of placing your ad in color or black and white.

After the ads are formatted and printed, the sheets will be handed out to the following classes:

• ESL
• GED
• Conversational English
• Citizenship
• Outreach ESL
• Conversational Spanish

The Benefits of Buying Ads for New Student Packets

There are a variety of benefits that come with buying an ad space to support New Student Packets. The first is that this is a cost-effective way to get your business seen by approximately 250 students each year.

You’ll also be supporting a local nonprofit that works hard to improve the lives of valuable members of the community.

If this is something you’re interested in supporting or have questions, please fill out the form on the right-hand side of the blog or send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com.

Pricing

Of course, deciding whether or not this is worth your time and effort means knowing how much it costs. Here’s how the pricing of the ads break down:

• Full page: $30 per quarter or $100 for a year
• Half page: $15 per quarter or $50 per year
• Box ads: $5 per quarter or $20 per year

Clearing Up Confusion About PVLA Classes

Many of the classes offered at the PVLA are directed toward a specific audience. ESL, Conversational English, and Citizenship classes are geared toward students who don’t have English as their first language and want to become citizens of the U.S.

However, there are other classes offered at the PVLA that are open to everyone within the community, including the following:

GED

When it comes to GED classes, anyone and everyone can sign up. GED® Preparation classes are aligned with the GED® 2022 test. Four individual tests must be passed to receive a GED® diploma: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies, and Science. Our in-person classes meet twice a week, with both morning and evening classes offered.

Whether you’re hoping to move on to college-level courses or just want a basic education, our GED classes are for you. This class is free.

One-on-One Employment Skills Training

One-on-one employment skills training is open to anyone who needs a little extra help when it comes to applying for a job. Whether you’re re-entering the workforce after a break or a lay-off or you need some help with online application forms or creating a resume, we’ve got you covered. We can even help you prepare for the interview.

The one-on-one instruction focuses on what you need to be successful in your job search. The sessions are limited to 2 hours, but you can sign up for as many as you need. We even provide a laptop if you don’t have one of your own.

To sign up for employment skills training, all you have to do is call to make an appointment.

Conversational Spanish

Conversational Spanish classes are for anyone who wants to improve communication with employees, coworkers, or clients. Several classes are offered throughout the year. There is a cost associated with this class, and you’ll need to contact the PVLA to find out when each session starts and ends.

If you’re interested in joining the summer session, you can sign up here. Registration closes on May 30, 2023.

Creative Writing

The creative writing class will be offered over the summer on Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. It is free and open to anyone in the community who is 13 and older. No matter what genre you write in or what length (short story, novel, epic, etc.), this class is meant to be fun and get your creative juices flowing.

Whether you have writing experience or have never created a story before, this class is for you. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, you can sign up here. Registration closes on May 30, 2023.

Our goal at the PVLA is to provide services and classes that benefit the entire community. Some of our classes are geared toward a specific audience, but others are open to everyone. Find the class that most appeals to you!

Got questions? Fill out the form on the right or send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com.

The Benefits of Being a Board Member

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For many, the thought of being a member of a board sounds like a huge commitment. Not only do you have to invest your time, but also effort. If you already work a full-time job and have a family, adding one more thing to your plate might seem impossible.

However, there are benefits to being a board member.

Yes, you will have to make a commitment, but what you get out of your time and effort can pay off in the long run. Here are some of the benefits that come with becoming a board member:

1. The Ability to Make a Difference

If you’ve ever wanted to make an impact, then becoming a board member for a nonprofit organization should be on your list. You’ll have the opportunity to make decisions that will impact individuals and the larger community. You’ll feel a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that you made a positive impact on others.

2. You Can Strengthen Your Professional Credibility

Being selected to be a board member is an indication that you are trustworthy and valued. As a board member, you become highly visible and are called upon to make decisions that impact people’s lives. Not only can you strengthen your professional credibility within your own business, but you can also enhance your reputation across your industry and within your community.

3. Expand Your Professional Network

Board membership puts you in a position where you have the opportunity to meet intelligent, influential, and well-connected individuals from other industries that you may not typically have access to. Since everyone shares a common goal of promoting an organization’s mission, you’ll already have one thing in common. From there, you can expand your network and connect in other meaningful ways outside of board meetings.

4. Improve Your Professional Skills

Whether you’re looking to advance your professional career or just want to be the best in your current position, serving on a board can improve your skillset. Since you’re working in a group, you’ll be able to hone and enhance your collaboration skills. You’ll learn how to compromise and communicate with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds, and that will serve you in many different ways.

You may already have some experience managing day-to-day operations in your career, but when you serve on a board, you can expand that skillset and help with an organization’s strategic vision. This allows you to see some different aspects to running a business, which can then be applied to your job or any position you may decide to apply for later down the road.

Serving on a board also gives you the opportunity to improve your leadership skills. You may already know what it’s like to manage a team within your business, but being the head of a committee or other executives opens up new horizons and requires different knowledge. Not only can you help others as a board member, but you can also help yourself.

5. Gain Insight and Exposure

Serving as a board member gives you insight into the operations of an organization, as well as exposes you to other industries, markets, and business strategies. Having this information can help you think about your own business differently or help you transition to another company or industry.

6. Find Inspiration and Motivation

If you feel like your life or career has hit a dead end or you’re stuck in a rut, then serving as a board member can be inspirational and motivating. Again, you’ll be exposed to a variety of different professionals and industries, so this may kickstart some new ideas and get you excited about the different avenues you can take your business down.

In addition, becoming a mentor or knowing that the decisions you’re making are having an impact on the lives of individuals and the community can be incredibly gratifying. You’ll feel like you have a purpose and can support a cause that you are truly passionate about.

Increase Your Visibility and Do Something Good

Making the decision to become a board member shouldn’t be taken lightly. It does involve time and effort, and you have to be willing to dedicate both. However, you aren’t just giving without getting in return. There are many benefits to being a board member.

If service to others is something you’ve been thinking about, and you’re passionate about literacy and adult education, then you might want to consider joining the PVLA’s board of directors.

Want to know more about the process? Fill out the contact form on the right-hand side of the blog or send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com.

The Generosity of Others

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There is nothing more exciting than opening the mailbox and finding a check waiting for you. Even if you were expecting the money, it still brings a smile to your face and makes the world seem a little brighter. If you weren’t expecting the money, then seeing a check is even more exciting and memorable.

A few weeks ago, here at the PVLA, we were surprised with a grant check for $5,000 from an anonymous donor. We had applied for the money, but it was uncertain whether we’d get it. Until the check is in our hands, we never take anything for granted (play-on words done purposefully 😊).

The money has been allocated to support our programming, which means it will have a direct impact on our students and instructors.

Without grant allocations, the PVLA wouldn’t be able to do what we do. We rely on the generosity of others, and we are always impressed with how many people share our vision of helping adult students become successful.

Here’s to the amazing donors in the world that share our vision of empowering individuals to reach their educational goals!

Photo by Lip on Unsplash