Who Are You Giving to?

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide phenomenon that encourages individuals to donate to their favorite causes. It started in 2012 in response to the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and encourages people to do something good. In the past decade, Giving Tuesday has developed into a global movement that has inspired and encouraged hundreds of millions of people to donate and celebrate generosity.

When is Giving Tuesday?

November 28th, 2023

Why Should You Donate to Platte Valley Literacy?

Columbus, Nebraska, is special. Within the state of Nebraska, Columbus is the most highly industrial city per capita—which means that there are lot of jobs and a lot of opportunities. People come here to work hard and grab their slice of the American dream. From the Congo to Mexico to Cuba and everywhere in between, our community is incredibly diverse. Everyone here is looking for the best life they can find for themselves and their families, and there are many different ways to achieve those goals.

But there are also challenges that stand in people’s way.

Here at Platte Valley Literacy, our mission is to break down those barriers.

Whether a person is looking to improve their English-speaking skills, earn their citizenship, or increase their employability skills, we are here to help.

But we can’t do it alone.

The vast majority of our classes are offered at no charge to students, but we still have to pay instructors and ensure they have classrooms to teach in. Technology also assists in student instruction, and we need to be able to keep equipment and other educational materials up to date.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of others to provide the invaluable services that people need.

We empower individuals to reach their educational goals, and your donation on Giving Tuesday ensures that we have what we need to provide students with high-quality instructors and up-to-date materials and technology.

Here are a few ways to participate in Giving Tuesday:

1. Make a donation

To make it as easy as possible, we offer a variety of ways to make a donation to the PVLA. You can head over to our online donation site or send a check or money order to:

Platte Valley Literacy
3020 18th St, Box 3, Suite 4
Columbus, NE 68601

2. Spread the Word

Tell your friends, family, and coworkers about our services. Chances are, you know someone who could benefit from what we have to offer. The more you share, the more individuals we can help.

3. Become a Volunteer

Giving Tuesday isn’t just about sending your favorite organization money, it’s also about volunteering your time to causes you truly care about. If you want to help adult learners succeed, then contact the PVLA to see how you can volunteer.

The PVLA has been a part of the Columbus community since the 1980s, and it makes us so proud to know that we have helped—and will continue to help—individuals fulfill their goals and dreams for a better life. By working together, we can make Columbus a welcoming place for all and ensure that everyone feels like a valued member of the community.

 

Stories from Students Who Have Benefitted from PVLA Services

For many, being able to live in the U.S. is the ultimate dream. There are a variety of things that make this country appealing, including the freedom and the employment and educational opportunities. As an immigrant, the benefits that come with obtaining a U.S. citizenship include the ability to vote, bring family members to the U.S., travel with a U.S. passport (and get help from the U.S. government while abroad), protection from deportation, and being eligible for federal jobs, among others.

A recent citizenship student from Afghanistan was thrilled to be in our evening citizenship class and unashamedly spoke of his gratefulness. He had no formal education past elementary school but learned English on his own after coming to the United States to live. He explained that because he had left Afghanistan to come to the United States, he could never go back, or he would be killed. This student was overjoyed after earning his U.S. citizenship and plans to work tirelessly to petition for his family so that they too can enjoy the freedom and safety of the United States.

To become a citizen, there is a process that must be followed, which involves being able to pass a test. Many immigrants do not possess the knowledge needed to pass the exam, but the information can be learned—and that’s where the Platte Valley Literacy Association comes into play.

Javier is from Guanajuato, Mexico, and he came to the U.S. with his father to work when he was 14 years old. Six months later, his father returned to Mexico, leaving Javier behind. Speaking no English and working to survive, Javier did not have the chance to finish school. He struggled but worked hard to get to where he is now. His story is very touching because he never took life for granted. Fast forward many years later... he now has a beautiful family, which consists of his wife and two kids.

Javier started with ESL (English as a Second Language) and transitioned to GED. It took him 3 years to complete his GED (it could have been less, but COVID impacted a lot). When he started GED classes, he was having a tough time learning with others, as every student had different subjects to focus on. He decided to work directly with a tutor. Janet, his tutor, focused on one subject at a time until he passed all subjects.

His two goals when starting the program were to become a leader at his job and obtain his GED. He has met both goals. Javier is a robot programmer at Columbus Hydraulics and earned a certificate. He has been working there for 8 years and is involved in big projects. He plans to focus on his projects and programming. Always striving to be better, his message to others is: “If I worked 10.5 hours every day, had parent commitments, and I still found time for education, you all can do it too!” He always went by a quote when challenges presented themselves: “Let’s try it.” Whether he failed or stumbled, he learned something and got better.