Keeping Kids Busy Over the Summer

Photo by zhang kaiyv

School ended last week, which means summer has officially started. This can be both a blessing and curse with having kids at home, but we have some ideas that can help you and them stay sane over the next few months.

Visit the Local Library

A good way to keep kids engaged over the summer is to visit the Columbus Public Library. Not only do they have a selection of amazing books to choose from, but they also have a variety of activities to keep the entire family engaged.

Whether you have a young child, a tween, or a young adult, there is something for everyone. Check their calendar often this summer for fun happenings for the entire family!

Visit the Children’s Museum

In addition to checking out the local library, you also might spend some time at the Columbus Area Children’s Museum--as they are both in the same building!

Some of the exhibits you can engage with here include Kidstown, Farm Adventure, the Loup River Water Table, and a Sensory Room, among others. 

According to the website, “The Columbus Area Children’s Museum is a wonderland of learning disguised as fun. CACM’s exhibits lets kid’s imaginations soar as they roleplay in shops and adventures mirroring those found in Columbus, sparking an understanding of community and commerce.”

Plan a visit today!

Sign Kids Up for Youth Programs

From swimming lessons to summer camps, the Columbus YMCA has a variety of events to keep you and your kids busy during the summer. Visit their Upcoming Events to discover what options they have to offer.

Columbus Public Schools even has some summer camps for you to consider, and you can find the right one for your kiddo by visiting their webpage. 

Centro Hispano is also offering a Camp Centro to keep kids engaged during the summer. More information can be found on this events page. 

Get Engaged with the Columbus Community

In addition to events that are focused specifically on kids, there are also numerous family-friendly events that will be put on by the City of Columbus during the summer. For a list of all the fun that can be had, please check out the Columbus Chamber’s webpage. You’re sure to find something that everyone will enjoy!

Find Some Time to Rest

While heading out into the community and exploring what Columbus has to offer can be incredibly fun, don’t forget to schedule some time for rest. That might include sitting on the couch with your favorite book, or having a fire on your back patio (assuming there are no fire bans in place!). 

You can make the evening even more special by making s’mores or grilling with friends. You might also plan a family movie night, or lay on a blanket in the backyard and count the stars.

Fun for All  

Summer is here, and with that comes a lot of fun. There is a lot to do in our amazing community, and we hope you’ll venture out to explore, but also remember to enjoy some quiet moments when you can.

The Perks of Partnering with the Columbus Area United Way

The Platte Valley Literacy Association has been a Columbus Area United Way (CAUW) Partner Agency for decades (more than 30 years), and we are proud and honored to have that connection. 

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?

Appreciating Community Presenters

One of the things that the PVLA takes pride in is being able to connect students to the Columbus community and vice versa.

One way that is accomplished is by having community presenters come to different classes and talk about what their organizations have to offer. Classes that have been visited include the Integration class that meets on Saturday, the Introductory ESL class that meets on Tuesday morning, the Integration and Introductory ESL class that meets on Thursday evening, and Family Learning.

Some of the community members that have presented include the Platte County Sherriff’s Department, East Central Health District/Good Neighbor Health, nutritionists from the hospital, directors of the Columbus Field House, immigration consultants from Centro Hispano, and others.

Having an integrated and informed community is essential to social wellbeing. We deeply appreciate those organizations and individuals who have spoken to our classes, and we look forward to working with others to ensure these connections continue.

Spending Time in the Community

Last week was Halloween, and the PVLA was privileged to participate in TWO trunk or treat events. The first one was hosted by the Vrly Foundation, and the second was hosted by Columbus Public Schools.

We had fun at both.

The PVLA’s Trunk Theme

The theme for the PVLA’s trunk was “Zombie Response Team”—mainly because the executive director has that on the side of her vehicle all the time. She also wanted to highlight that the PLVA provides more than just language services to the community.

They don’t provide the services directly, but as a Columbus Area United Way Partner Agency, we can refer students and community members to the organizations that do provide other services that would be beneficial.

The focus of the PVLA’s classes is to ensure that students have the English skills they need to be successful in life. At the same time, we also offer citizenship classes, integration classes, and one-on-one employability skills.

Having these skills allows a person to improve their lives and the lives of their families on so many levels. Literacy isn’t only about speaking, reading, and writing (although those are big parts), it’s also about understanding the world in which a person lives.

Once they have the basics, then they can strive for higher goals.

As a Zombie Response Team member, our job would be to destroy any undead in the area, and then provide the human survivors with what they need to thrive, including food, warmth (you can’t see the blanket, but it’s there), and knowledge (the books).

Much the same, the PVLA’s role is to destroy any illiteracy and ensure members of the community have what they need to thrive. We do this by providing knowledge, which can then be applied to find warmth and food.

Pictures from the Events

There weren’t a ton of pictures taken at the events, mainly because we were so busy handing out candy. There were literally hundreds of kids at both—and it was amazing to see the costumes and participate in community events.

Here are the few pictures that were taken. Enjoy!

Terri Hotovy, a PVLA board member, helped hand out candy at the Vrly Trunk or Treat.

Jessica Wiig, PVLA executive director, kept participants safe and stocked with candy.

Jessica's sons helped hand out candy at the Columbus Public School's Trunk or Treat.

The Impact Made by CCC Adult Education and the PVLA

Living in Columbus, Nebraska, is an incredibly unique experience. There’s a lot of opportunity here, and it’s at a crossroads that leads to a variety of different places—both literal and figurative.

While most people are able to grab their piece of the American pie living here, there are some that find obstacles in the way. Here at the PVLA, in cooperation with CCC Adult Education, we do our best to help individuals bridge those barriers.

Some Insight Into Why What We Do Is So Important

Did you know that 11% of the population in Platte County doesn’t have a high school diploma? That can be a huge hindrance when it comes to finding high-paying jobs.

Data from Casey Family Community Opportunity Map 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25% of the population in Columbus speaks a language other than English.

When it comes to employment in Platte County, we have a 2% unemployment rate, with a 7% poverty rate, but 27% of households are under the 200% poverty level.

Data from Casey Family Community Opportunity Map

People are working, but they are having a hard time making ends meet. What these numbers don’t show is what is holding these individuals back from living their best life, but the possibility exists that it’s education, English-speaking skills, or status.

The vast majority of Nebraskans are aware of the labor shortage. With a 2% unemployment rate, that means that everyone who wants a job, has a job. Yet, there are many, many positions in all fields throughout the state and particularly in Platte County and the surrounding area that need to be filled.

But where to find workers? There just aren’t enough individuals in the state of Nebraska to fill every role, which means that having individuals comes from outside the state, and potentially outside the country, can be incredibly beneficial.

According to the American Immigration Council, in 2021, 7.3% of Nebraska’s residents were foreign-born. They made up 9.2% of the labor force, and they contributed more than $1.2 billion dollars in taxes to the economy and had more than $3.5 billion in spending power.

 

Data from the American Immigration Council 

The largest population of immigrants in the state are aged 16 to 64, which means they are in the prime of their life and looking to start or maintain families. To do that, they need the right means, which includes having a job and community security.

Within Platte County, 11% of the population is foreign born.

Data from the Casey Family Community Opportunity Map

 

Of those in the state of Nebraska, only 69.2% of them are proficient in English. When it comes to education, 36.5% of individuals have less than a high school education. While some immigrants have a high school education and advanced degrees, due to the differences in education systems, their achievements may not always be recognized here in the U.S.

Data from the American Immigration Council 

Building Bridges Over Barriers

Individuals migrate to the U.S. for opportunity, and they come to Platte County and Columbus because there is a lot of opportunity to be had. However, to ensure they are successful in creating a secure life for themselves and their families, there are certain skills they need to attain.

The PVLA and CCC Adult Education is here to help. Our mission is to break down barriers and give people a chance to live their dreams. We empower students to obtain their educational goals and provide the skills and knowledge that they need to be successful in life.

In addition to the programs we have offered for years and years, we have started new programs, including the Integration Class, which helps newcomers to the area transition into the community and become aware of the various services that are here to help, as well as the Family Learning program, which is in place to help parents not only learn the English language but to also understand how the U.S. education system works so that they can help their children be successful.

The need for workers is only going to grow in the future. With that opportunity comes individuals who are willing, ready, and able to work—even if they weren’t born in this country. There may be barriers that stand in their way, but they aren’t permanent. There are ways to break down those obstructions and give people exactly what they need to reach their dreams, and the PVLA and CCC are proud and honored to be part of that journey.

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?

Getting Out Into the Community

Here at the PVLA, our goal--in partnership with CCC Adult Education--is to provide services to the community. Through the various classes we offer, we want anyone and everyone to have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Since we are part of this community, we get out when we can to meet new people. This weekend, we will be at the Minority Health and Well-Being fair, hosted by the East Central District Health Department. Come say hi if you get the chance!