“Local grants have the power to create meaningful change within the communities our tracks touch,” says Beth Whited, Union Pacific President and Union Pacific Foundation President. “We are proud to partner with nonprofit organizations who are making an impact on the future—creating safer places for children and families; bringing economic prosperity to communities; building vibrant, inclusive areas for people to thrive; and instilling sustainable practices.”
Goals of the Union Pacific Grant
Throughout its existence, the success of Union Pacific’s business has been inextricably linked to the economic and community wellbeing of cities and towns across the nation. They take pride in knowing that they have helped communities thrive and believe the impact they have on local communities is the greatest when the support is authentic to Union Pacific’s history and reflects the diverse company they are today.
The railroad carefully aligns its local grants cause areas to the company’s unique strengths, heritage and assets. They prioritize funding for direct services and efforts that build organizational capacity focused on causes within their local operating communities. Within the specific focus areas, Union Pacific aims to support organizations and programs that strive to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion of underrepresented populations within the local areas and address issues that need to be resolved.
What the Grant Means for the PVLA
“Being awarded a grant from the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program is absolutely astounding,” says Jessica Wiig, PVLA executive director. “The work we do empowers our students to achieve great things beyond the classroom, and this grant from Union Pacific makes us feel not only like valued members of the Columbus community, but a larger community as well—one that is served by the UP—and that is humbling and inspiring.”
The PVLA has been proudly serving the Columbus, Nebraska, area for several decades as a United Way Agency. Their goal is to meet the educational needs of individuals in the community. They partner with the Central Community College Adult Education program to further increase educational opportunities in the area and help students gain the necessary skills to be successful in life. The funds granted to the PVLA by the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program will be used to resolve barriers to employment.
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.
This grant ensures that the PVLA will be able to provide high-quality instructors, equipment and materials that can help students achieve their dreams within the classroom and beyond, providing them with opportunities, skills and knowledge so that they can apply for and obtain higher paying jobs to support themselves and their families.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.