The United Way Fundraising Campaign is About to Begin

It’s that time of year again when the local United Way will be visiting businesses to ask for donations. For many, this can feel cringey and weird. No one wants to feel like they are being pressured into giving money.

Thankfully, the United Way isn’t pressuring you into giving money, but they do want you to be informed about the amazing programs and services that your donations support. As a United Way Partner Agency, the PVLA hopes that you’ll consider helping out your community. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference.

Here is what the Columbus Area United Way does:

United Way fights for education, financial stability, and health of every person in every community. We are a part of the world’s largest charity but are known as a hyper local organization for Columbus area serving the counties of Boone, Colfax, Platte, and Nance.

MISSION: To focus resources to measurably improve the education, health, and financial stability of our community.

WHAT WE DO

Columbus Area United Way is a nonprofit dedicated to impacting our community in critical areas identified by the community through community-based assessments. Columbus Area United Way focuses on the three pillars of Education, Financial Stability, and Health. The Board of Directors, through a strategic initiative, identified the following areas of focus through 2024.

Education

• Kindergarten Readiness
• Improve and maintain community public schools 4-year graduation rates

Financial Stability

• Adults improve job relevant skills
• Ensure basic needs are met

Health

• Community members educated on healthier lifestyle choice
• Decrease suicide attempts of youth

In taking this approach, we have the unique ability to convene, collaborate, and direct resources where they are most needed. CAUW conducts community needs assessments, secures critical resources to fund vital social services, provides fiscal oversight and accountability for community partners, and evaluates program results to measure and communicate community impact.

We also provide local employers, employees, and other donors a cost-effective system to address community needs while allowing other local agencies and programs to concentrate more on serving and less on fundraising.

CAUW gives people a trustworthy place to donate funds, knowing that their dollars will go to meet the greatest areas of need in the community, and money raised locally stays in the community. Our local United Way has contributed more than $8.5 million in the last 10 years alone!

WHY WE DO IT

• We want to help the 42% of single mom families that are in poverty become financially stable.
• Because 16% of 10th graders report having suicidal thoughts and they need to know they are worthy and valued. Reducing risky behaviors leads to a healthy lifestyle, which leads to overall stability.
• Studies indicate if a child is behind by third grade, chances are much greater that they will not graduate from high school. CAUW focuses on having children ready for Kindergarten and on a student’s social/emotional health during their academic years to be prepared for life.

THE VALUE OF THE UNITED WAY BRAND

• We hope to see our children succeeding, our families strengthened, and our community thriving.
• United Way is ranked #1 on Forbes 2018 list of 100 largest US charities.
• The United Way brand is recognized by 85% of the public and in 95% of US workplaces.
• 78% of employees surveyed nationally want to work for a company that gives back and are proud of their employer’s support of United Way.
• We are committed to efficiency, transparency, and accountability. CAUW conducts thorough research that supports our community investments. CAUW advocates for programming that provides impact, stability, and growth for our community members. CAUW has compassionate and knowledgeable volunteer leadership from individuals just like you.
• There are a range of studies that consistently demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between volunteering and good health, in addition to the social benefits brought about by volunteering. For example, a report by United Health Group, Doing Good is Good for You: 2013 Health and Volunteering Study, found that 76% of US adults who volunteer report that volunteering has made them feel physically healthier, and 78% report that volunteering lowers their levels of stress, leading to feeling better than adults who do not volunteer.

What Happens If You Didn’t Get Registered for ESL Classes?

The newest semester of ESL classes started last week on July 16th, and CCC’s ESL classes are full! Since the semester has started, you may be wondering if you can get registered for ESL classes.

Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Contact Us in Person, Over the Phone, or With a Message

If you want to show up in person, we are located at 3020 18th St, Suite 4. Should you decide to call, we can be reached at 402-562-1463. You can send a message through Facebook or use the form on the right-hand side of this blog.

Step 2: Provide Your Name and Number

Whether you show up in person, send a message, or call on the phone, one of the first questions you’ll be asked is what is your name. Then, you’ll need to provide a phone number so that we can contact you.

Step 3: Put Your Name on the Wait List

Since classes have already started and are super full, the chances of getting into a class are low. However, if you put your name on the wait list, this increases (but doesn’t guarantee) your chances of getting into a class sooner rather than later.

Step 4: Check Out Classes Offered by PVLA

While you wait to find out if you can get into a CCC ESL class, you can check out the classes offered by the PVLA. You don’t need to take a test or wait for these classes, you can join at any time!

Here are the options you can choose from:

• Introductory ESL - Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00

• Book Club - Mondays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

• Conversational English - Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm; Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 pm; and Fridays from 9:00 to 10:00 am

• Integration Class - Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 at the Columbus Public Library in the FNBO Conference Room

ESL Class Options

You may or may not be able to get into a CCC ESL class, but while you wait, you have options. The PVLA offers classes that will help you obtain some English skills and prepare you for the next step in your educational journey. Get in touch with us today!

A New Semester of ESL Classes Is About to Begin

Summer is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean that learning stops! After a 2-week break, CCC ESL classes are getting ready to start up again, as are the PVLA’s Conversational English classes and our Introductory ESL class.

The new semester starts on July 16th, and we are so excited to have students back in the building! 

While CCC’s ESL classes are currently full, there are several PVLA classes that can be attended. From citizenship to Conversational English to Introductory ESL, and others, the PVLA has a variety of classes to help students reach their educational goals.

Here’s a calendar of upcoming classes:

Have questions about any of our class offerings? Fill out the form on the right-hand side of this blog, or send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don’t forget to remove the spaces!) or call 402-562-1463.

We hope you have an amazing semester!

T-Shirt Designs

We are so excited to receive TWO t-shirt designs for our t-shirt design contest. The entries are included below. Go and vote for your favorite!

Option 1

Option 2

The First Session of the Introductory ESL Class Comes to a Close

 

It started with a $4,000 grant from Tyson Foods.

Then, on March 21, 2024, the first Introductory ESL was held, and 10 students signed up.

As the 12 weeks progressed, 8 students attended on a regular basis, and 6 of them will be transitioning into the English classes offered by CCC.

Overall, the class was an incredible success.

The Expectations

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to language learning is that success is not measured by leaps and bounds. Learning a new language is incredibly difficult, especially as an adult, but it’s not impossible. Here at the PVLA, when we look at success, even small advancements are a reason to celebrate.

When it comes to the Introductory ESL class, success is measured by the student’s ability to spell their name using the English alphabet and fill out forms in English. It may not seem like much, but it’s a huge step in the learning process—and these first students reached their goals and more.

The other purpose of the Introductory ESL class is to give students an idea of what to expect in the classroom. It’s possible that many of these adults haven’t been in a classroom for a long time (if ever). Knowing how to learn is beneficial and ensures current and future success. It also prepares students for the next step, which may be more classes.

The Final Day

On the final day of class, the Introductory ESL instructor tried to make it educational yet entertaining—and she was successful in her endeavors. Not only did the students get to show off how much they had learned about the alphabet, but they also got to enjoy some delicious food.

Here are some pictures from that final day.

If you’re wondering what they are doing, they are coming up with words based on the last letter of the word before it. For example, if the instructor gave them the letter D to start, the first student had to think of an animal that started with D. So, if the student wrote down D-O-G, the next student would need to come up with a word that started with G.

The purpose of the exercise is to get them thinking about the alphabet and using vocabulary skills. They had a lot of fun in the process.

The Next Session

If you ask us, the first session of the Introductory ESL class was a huge success, and we can’t wait for the next session to begin.

And we are having a next session!

It begins on July 18, 2024. Once again, it will be on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the Columbus Family Resource Center (3020 18^th St, Suite 4).

For anyone who’s interested in signing up or has questions, please send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don’t forget to remove the spaces!) or call 402-562-1463.