Why Being a United Way Partner Agency Is a Big Deal

If you’ve read any of the history of the Platte Valley Literacy Association, you’ve noticed that it says we’ve been a United Way Partner Agency for decades (more than 30 years). While this sounds good, what exactly does it mean? Why is being a United Way Partner Agency such a big deal?

This blog will do its best to give you some answers.

What Is a Partner Agency?

The simple answer to this question is that United Way Partner Agencies provide services to individuals within a community to address specific needs that the United Way has determined are important to quality of life. They have named these their Three Pillars. Those pillars include:

• Health
• Education
• Financial Stability

These categories are pretty broad and general, and then it’s up to the local United Way to develop criteria under each heading that best serves the people living in the area. The local United Way then works with “Partner Agencies” to ensure that the needs of individuals within the community are being met.

As a Partner Agency, the PVLA is tasked with providing a service that makes positive, meaningful change within the community. The United Way wants people to live their best lives, but they can’t achieve that goal on their own. They need to work with others who share their vision of a strong community, and that’s why they create partnerships with other agencies.

What Benefits Do Partner Agencies Get?

Helping the United Way comes with many benefits, including access to funding opportunities, resources for promotion and outreach, and opportunities for learning.

The United Way supports its Partner Agencies to ensure they are providing the best services possible. After all, if the Partner Agency is successful, the United Way is successful, and the community gets the services it needs to thrive and survive. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Probably the biggest benefit that comes with being a United Way Partner Agency is the sense of satisfaction that comes with knowing we’re making a difference. It feels really good to know that we are helping those in need and making Columbus an incredible place to live.

A Prosperous Relationship

There’s a reason why the PVLA has been a United Way Partner Agency for as long as it has; it gives us the opportunity to make a huge difference in the Columbus community. We also have access to and make connections with other nonprofits in the area, and it feels good to be part of a productive and prosperous movement.

The United Way has been doing good things in communities around the world for more than 135 years. They are catalysts of social change and exist to promote the common good.

Being a United Way Partner Agency is a big deal because it can make a huge impact on countless lives. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?

The PVLA Is Looking for Focus Group Volunteers

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

The PVLA has been asked to participate in a focus group about community health. We are looking for 5 to 12 individuals who would like to share their thoughts about the following:

 

• What do you consider to be the most important/impactful health needs in the community?
• Why are they important?
• What are some ideas you have about how to improve community health?

This opportunity is open to anyone and everyone. If you are interested in sharing your ideas, this is your time to let your voices be heard. The focus group should take about 1 hour of time, and snacks will be provided.

Day of discussion: Wednesday March 20, 2024
Time of discussion: 5:15 pm
Location: Family Resource Center Community Room

3020 18th St, Suite 4

Columbus, NE 68601

You will remain anonymous throughout the entire process; no identifying information will be gathered. All you need to bring is your concerns and ideas.

If necessary, there will also be translators available to ensure everyone knows what is being asked and said during the discussion.

Thank you for your help with this!

New Grant from Tyson Foods Expands PVLA Class Offerings

The PVLA is super thrilled to announce that we have received a $4,000 grant from Tyson Foods, which will be used to offer an Introductory ESL class to students.

What Are Introductory ESL Classes?

Introductory ESL classes give adult students the foundation they need to learn the English language. Once they have the basics, they can then move onto higher level English classes, citizenship classes, or GED classes to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to accomplish their goals.

The 1-hour weekly class is designed to provide basic information such as teaching students the alphabet, numbers, colors, and how to introduce themselves, among others. The classes are centered around 12 lessons, which are taught on a continuous loop throughout the year.

The class is free, and students can join at any time.

The basic ESL class is geared toward individuals who have no or low English skills, but anyone is welcome to join to improve their English-speaking abilities. Classes are held on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the Family Resource Center (3020 18th St, Suite 4, Columbus, NE).

Why Are Introductory Classes Necessary?

You may be wondering why the PVLA would need to offer an Introductory ESL class, especially when we have other English classes and partner with CCC to offer even more English classes.

One of the reasons why this class is necessary is because of CCC shifting to semester enrollment. We already did a blog post that talked about the benefits of this schedule change, but to remind you of some of the highlights, they include:

• Ensuring that lessons are taught in a logical, sequential manner so that students learn more
• Less stress on the instructor because they have a better idea of whom to expect in class from week to week
• Enrolling students for a semester can improve class attendance, which is essential when it comes to learning a new language

There are a few downsides to semester enrollment as well, including that students who walk through our door after the enrollment period have to wait to get into a CCC ESL class.

But that’s where the PVLA comes in, particularly with the Introductory ESL class.

Individuals can still come to the PVLA and start their journey to learn the English language. They also get exposed to what is expected of them in the classroom. This can be incredibly helpful if it’s been a while since they’ve been in a school setting or need to know how the language learning will impact their work and life schedule.

Learning the English language may be necessary, but it can also be intimidating. When signing up for CCC classes, a student has to commit a lot of time and effort—and while that commitment pays out in the long run, it can be challenging.

If an individual starts with an Introductory ESL class, it can increase confidence and ease fears, ensuring success now and into the future.

Building a Strong Foundation

Having a strong foundation is necessary when it comes to building practically anything. When it comes to language skills, knowing the basics is essential to move on to bigger and better things. By offering an Introductory ESL class, we are empowering our students to obtain the basics they need to build upon—whatever that might look like.

Whether a student decides they want to attend higher level ESL classes, obtain their citizenship, learn how to converse in English, or obtain their GED, they have to start somewhere, and the Introductory ESL class gives them that starting point.

This class wouldn’t be possible without the support of Tyson Foods, and the PVLA is honored and excited to partner with them to provide a new class for our students.

PVLA's Integration Class

Columbus, Nebraska, is an incredibly unique community.

We are located approximately 1.5 hours west of Omaha and approximately 1.5 hours north of Lincoln, almost smack-dab in the middle of nowhere. Yet, we are the most highly industrial city per capita in the state of Nebraska. There are a lot of opportunities available in Columbus, and people come to the area to see if they can obtain their piece of the American pie.

However, for some, there are obstacles that stand in the way. Whether that encumbrance is not speaking English, not knowing how to find jobs, or not having the right status to apply for a specific job, the PVLA is here to help.

Our mission is to break down barriers and give people a chance to find success and live their dreams. We empower students to obtain their educational goals and reach for the stars by providing individuals with information about how to live in Columbus, filling them with knowledge to obtain their citizenship, and teaching them English-speaking skills.

Welcoming Individuals to the Community

One of the classes that we have available at the PVLA is the Integration Class, which was developed specifically with newcomers in mind. The goal of the Integration Class is to help transition individuals into their new community.

The 1-hour weekly classes are centered around 12 lessons that are taught on a continuous loop. In addition to teaching students about the services that are available in Columbus, an ESL component is also included.

The topics that are covered in class include the following:

• Alphabet
• Numbers
• Colors
• Sight Words
• How to Introduce Yourself
• How to Be a Good Neighbor
• Managing Money
• Different Types of Doctors
• Healthy vs Unhealthy
• Time Concepts in the U.S.
• Places in the Community
• Navigating the Town

Another component of the Integration Class is having community members speak to the students. Since August, we have had visitors from the Sheriff’s Department, the Columbus Police Department, DHHS, Active Family Chiropractic, and a 911 dispatcher.

 

The information the community members share is invaluable when it comes to students feeling like they are part of the community and knowing what services are available to them.

Class Schedule

Currently, we offer two Integration Class sessions. One is held on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the Family Resource Center (3020 18th St, Suite 4). The other is held on Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Columbus Public Library in the FNBO Conference Room.

Students can attend either class and can join at any time. These classes are offered year-round, and students can stop coming after the 12 weeks or continue to come for as long as they want.

Living in the U.S. can be advantageous, but there can also be culture shock when an individual first moves into a new community. Integration classes can help reduce fears and anxieties and put a person on the path to success. With a stable foundation and the right information, newcomers will have what they need to live the life they’ve been dreaming of.