Instead, there’s a lesson to be learned from these children living in poverty. It catches me off-guard time and time again. My students love to give.
Fearing that the other students might make fun of what was underneath all of the newspaper, I waited to open the gift until my students were at music class. When I began to open the gift, I found the newspaper to be carefully wrapped and taped. I peeled back layer upon layer. The basketball-sized gift kept getting smaller and smaller with each piece of newspaper I removed
.
Finally, I reached the center of the newspaper and found the gift my student so eagerly gave. It was a well-worn, stuffed, pink bunny. Why he thought I needed it, I’m not exactly sure. But I appreciated it nonetheless.
I wish I could say that the well-worn bunny was some long, lost treasure that I’d been searching for. Or that it was at the top of my Christmas list. It wasn’t.
But I appreciate everything that it symbolizes.
It reaches far beyond the tradition of giving Christmas gifts. It’s about sacrificing something of value (your time, your possessions, your talents) for the benefit of someone else.
Despite his circumstances, this boy gave up something he had in order to try to make someone else’s day better. You may not have a worn out, slightly filthy, pink bunny that can make a difference in someone’s life. But you certainly have something to give. So do it.
Give.
Posted on 16 December 2011 | 6:13 am
Dear Santa,
This letter is on the behalf of the 5,000 students that participate in The Partnership For Our Kids programs. You are so generous to children all over the world, but if you can find room in your sleigh, there are just a few things that we would really love to have for our students:
1. Fifty additional volunteers so that each Partnership student could have a goal buddy or group mentor of their own.
2. Monetary donations. We try to provide each of our students with the high quality curriculum, academic services, career exploration tours, door-to-door transportation and an overall amazing experience, and monetary donations help us to give them all that they deserve.
3. Tickets to local events. We love to give our students, their families and their mentors and goal buddies a chance to have fun together outside of the classroom. Tickets to local events like the symphony, the ballet, plays and sporting events provide students with unique learning experiences as well as a chance to spend time with their mentors and their families.
4. Career Exploration Tours and Field Trips. Career exploration is promoted in our program from elementary school through high school. Tours and hands-on experiences are invaluable to our students and serve as inspiration for what their future can be.
5. Healthy Snacks. We believe in good nutrition for our students and try to supply them with healthy snacks to fuel their minds and give them energy to keep going strong. Healthy, non-perishable treats, like 100 Calorie Snack Packs, bottled water and fruit juice drinks are always appreciated!
6. School Supplies. We want to give our students all the tools they need to succeed in their academics. School supplies such as notebooks, folders, pens, calculators and backpacks help our students to start their school year off on the right foot.
7. Art Supplies. Paint brushes, paints, markers, canvases, construction paper and more would be great for our students to express themselves creatively.
Thanks for reading this letter Santa. Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy 2012!
Sincerely,
The Partnership For Our Kids
*If you can help Santa grant one of the requests from The Partnership For Our Kids wish list, visit www.thepartnershipforourkids.org/donate.shtml or call 402-930-3000.
Posted on 2 December 2011 | 1:40 pm
Although the blistering heat and long days of August sunshine were only a couple of months ago, the brisk air of fall has already set in and it won’t be long before bone-chilling temperatures of a typical Nebraska winter are here to stay. While for many kids the winter season is a fun time filled with snow-ball fights and down-hill sled races, for those who do not have enough cold-weather gear, the early morning wait for the bus, or the walk home from school can seem like a frosty form of torment.
As a way to help more students avoid this scenario, The Partnership For Our Kids is introducing Clothes For Our Kids! , a clothing drive benefitting students in need at Partnership schools. During the entire month of November, the Partnership will be collecting new and gently-used clothing at three local drop-off locations, which include The Burlington Capital Building, 1004 Farnam Street; Omaha State Bank, 132nd and Maple and First National Tower, 1601 Dodge St. Clothing items can be dropped off in the designated bins during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Needed items include winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves as well as warm sweaters, sweatshirts, jeans, and boots, all sizes are accepted.
The items collected will be distributed to Belvedere and Jackson Elementary Schools and Monroe and Norris Middle Schools during the first week in December.
To find out more details or for questions, contact Jen at 402-930-3000 or email jarnold@thepartnershipforourkids.org
Posted on 27 October 2011 | 10:42 am
Attention parents and student supporters! Mark your calendars to attend the Partnership’s upcoming first quarter Winners Circle Celebrations! The students have been working hard all quarter long to achieve their math, reading and life skills goals and now it is time to celebrate their great accomplishments! Students who meet their first quarter goals will receive a medal of honor and will be entered to win a prize.
Parents, we know you have been working just as hard to support your student in their efforts to reach their goals, so we haven’t left you out. All parents who attend their child’s Winners Circle Celebration will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win from a selection of fabulous family prizes such as passes to CoCo Key Water Resort, pizza parties and more! Please consult the schedule below for the date and start time for your student’s school celebration.
Belevedere Academy-Thursday, November 3rd at 6 p.m.
Conestoga Magnet-Wednesday, October 26th at 6 p.m.
Field Club-Tuesday, November 3rd at 6 p.m.
Fontenelle- Tuesday, November 1st at 6 p.m.
Franklin- Thursday, October 27th at 6 p.m.
Howard Kennedy- Wednesday, October 26th at 6 p.m.
Jackson- Tuesday, October 25th at 6 p.m.
Kellom-Wednesday, November 2nd at 6 p.m.
Martin Luther King- Wednesday, November 2nd at 6 p.m.
Miller Park- Tuesday, October 25th at 6 p.m.
Mount View- Thursday, November 3rd at 6 p.m.
Saratoga- Thursday, October 27th at 6 p.m.
Posted on 13 October 2011 | 9:46 am
Have you tried the CRAVE CARES menu yet? For the entire month of October, CRAVE Restaurant in Midtown Crossing will be giving back a percentage of the proceeds from every item ordered off of their delicious CRAVE CARES fall menu. Check out the yummy selections to choose from at CRAVE MENU.
Show your support for the Partnership this month by eating at CRAVE! Stop in and order from the October Crave Cares menu, or simply add a contribution to your final bill. Be sure to drop in this Tuesday, October 11th between 5 and 9 p.m. for CRAVE's one year anniversary celebration. Ten percent of all proceeds will go back to The Partnership For Our Kids and there even be a few anniversary specials!
For more information about donating to the Partnership, visit http://www.thepartnershipforourkids.org/donate.shtml
Posted on 7 October 2011 | 2:50 pm
Outbursts of violence among local teens are growing progressively more frequent. The Nebraska Crime Commission documented a 21 percent increase in juvenile arrests in Nebraska over the past two decades and these numbers continue to climb. Last weekend, two teenagers, one just 14-years-old, were killed by gunfire in separate instances in northeast Omaha within a six-hour span.
In the wake of so many tragic incidents, we are all searching for a way to get these young people out of the line of fire and on to a more promising path. Although this may seem like an overwhelmingly long and rugged journey, every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Here are three steps that we hope you will add to your own journey of a thousand miles:
Step 1. Support Partnership ProgramsThe average cost of a student participating in the Partnership programs is $1,500 per year. While at first blush this might seem like a large figure, comparing it to the staggering average annual cost to incarcerate one individual in the juvenile justice system of $43,000 puts things into a whole new perspective. Donating to the Partnership is fast and easy as a click of your computer mouse! Make a contribution online through our secure Paypal account. Click DONATE for more information.
Step 2. Volunteer as a Goal Buddy or a Group MentorThe volunteers who serve as positive role-models bring out the best in Partnership students, who are over-flowing with potential and personality. “Before I joined, I didn’t really care about school, but they pushed me and molded me into a mature individual who cares about education and wants to give back,” says Hollyn, a Partnership student alum. Hollyn recently received her CNA degree and is employed full-time in Omaha.
To learn how you can start making a difference as a volunteer, click VOLUNTEER for more information.
Step 3. Share Your Experience“I feel so good when I return to work from my time with the students. It’s a very rewarding experience,” says a current Partnership volunteer. Partnership supporters know first-hand the amazing feeling they get from their personal experiences of being involved in our programs. Sharing that experience is a powerful and moving way to motivate others to join the journey.
Posted on 29 September 2011 | 9:08 am
The Partnership For Our Kids is so lucky to have such amazing volunteers! The time and energy each devotes to their students is a testament to just how much they care. One of these groups of true-life superstars, volunteer at Monroe Middle School!
“The best group of mentors, EVER, work with the Monroe 8th graders,” says Partnership Program Specialist, Amber Nawroth. “They are amazing and show up to every after-school meeting ready to truly bond with their mentees and make a difference in their lives.”
Each of the five volunteers in the Monroe group are at very different points in their lives, ranging from college classes to retirement. Mike Janda is a student at Creighton University, who hopes to pursue Dental School after getting his undergraduate degree. Bev Fleckten is a retired research coordinator from UNMC and loves spending time with her grandchildren and doing outdoor activities. Mary Green is the director of the Dundee Community Garden and is a leader of the Omaha Sierra Club. Bryce Montalbo is a recent college grad and is preparing to attend medical school next year. The newest member of the Monroe team is Josey Corritore. Josey is originally from Waterloo, Nebraska and grew up riding and showing horses, competitively and although she no longer does it competitively, she still enjoys riding for fun. Despite their varied backgrounds, the one thing this group does have in common is the commitment they have to their students.
“They are not only committed to their mentees inside the classroom but they’re also invested in their social lives as well,” says Nawroth. From apple-picking adventures in Nebraska City, to sporting events, ice-cream socials, bike rides and beyond, these marvelous mentors have kept their mentees active and exploring a side of their community they don’t always get to see.
Although the students love getting to go out with their mentors, it seems that the things they most enjoy are also the simplest. Monroe 8th grader, Danessia says the biggest thing her mentor has taught her is the importance of reaching out to others. “You should always try to help someone in need,” she says. Fellow student, DeaDrean says the thing he has appreciated most about his mentor is that he doesn’t try to pretend to be someone he’s not and he stands up for what he believes in. “He encourages us to be our best,” says DeaDrean.
The Partnership would like to extend a special thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers, who are making a difference in the lives of students every day!
To learn more about volunteering with The Partnership For Our Kids, click on VOLUNTEER
Posted on 23 September 2011 | 9:36 am
Have a desire for something delicious and guilt-free? Consider local midtown restaurant, Crave for a tasty bite! Their menu features a wide variety of selections from sushi to sandwiches and everything in between.
Why the random restaurant review, you might ask? During the month of October, The Partnership For Our Kids will partner with Crave in their community outreach initiative, Crave Cares. Each month, Crave selects a local charitable organization to promote and raise funds for with their unique Crave Cares menu.
Show your support for the Partnership during the month of October by stopping in and ordering from the October Crave Cares menu, or simply add a contribution to your final bill.
For more information about donating to the Partnership, visit http://www.thepartnershipforourkids.org/donate.shtml
Posted on 16 September 2011 | 2:18 pm
A special thanks to Lincoln Financial Group for inviting The Partnership For Our Kids to participate in the company’s first annual volunteer fair! The volunteer fair was held at the Lincoln Financial Group’s Omaha campus over the lunch-hour on Thursday, September 8th. Approximately 200 Lincoln Financial employees attended the fair. The purpose of the fair was to give Lincoln Financial employees an opportunity to find more ways to become actively involved in their community.
Community involvement is extremely important to Lincoln Financial Group and the company utilizes multiple avenues of giving back locally. One of Lincoln Financial Group’s prime philanthropic efforts is through the work of its foundation. The Partnership For Our Kids was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Lincoln Financial Group’s foundation earlier this summer. Thanks to the grant award, Partnership high school students were able to participate in career exploration workshops and site visits throughout the summer months.
To learn more about career exploration activities at the Partnership, visit
http://www.thepartnershipforourkids.org/aokcareer.shtml
Posted on 8 September 2011 | 3:06 pm
“I feel that the whole concept of the program is great. It inspires the students to do their best and be the best they can be. So often kids are recognized for what they do wrong. It is great to see their faces full of smiles and receive hugs and cards for recognizing and rewarding them for doing something good,” says one Partnership volunteer about The Partnership For Our Kids programs.
Despite all of the reports about neighborhood shootings and robberies that consume the 6’o’clock news, many local kids are finding ways to improve themselves, their schools and their communities, with a little help from some truly amazing volunteers who serve as positive role models and mentors of the Partnership.
“Whether they realize it or not, our goal buddies and group mentors are making an extremely powerful impact on these kids, just by being a consistent presence in their everyday lives,” says Partnership Recruitment Manager, Jessica Warren. “The hard part is having enough of these great folks to go around for ALL of our students. Warren says currently there is a volunteer deficit for the Partnership’s middle school student groups. “Middle school is an especially tough time for most kids, so it is crucial to have that extra encouragement and positive reinforcement present,” she says.
Warren goes on to say that becoming a volunteer with the Partnership is a simple process and volunteers are given all of the tools they need to work with the students. “All they need to do is just show up and spend time with the students, and our staff takes care of the rest,” Warren says.
To find out how you can become a volunteer mentor or goal buddy with The Partnership For Our Kids or to learn more about our programs, visit: http://gettoknowmeomaha.com/
Posted on 26 August 2011 | 3:10 pm
It’s official-school is back in session, but what a busy break it has been at the Partnership!
The Partnership kicked off the summer on a bittersweet note as former agency president of fourteen years, Julie Hefflinger retired from the organization and new president, Deb Denbeck was welcomed to the helm on June 20th. "I feel very blessed and fortunate to be following in the footprints of someone I have great respect for," Denbeck said. "Julie has done an amazing job of building a strong team and a program that is so needed in the Omaha area."
As Denbeck settled in to her new role, not a moment was wasted as students were 
immersed into a multitude of activities including educational workshops such as “Cops and Kids”. Students who participated in the workshop learned more about their local justice system and received a first-hand look at trials in action at the Douglas County Courthouse. Students also got to explore their artistic side during a tour of Omaha’s Hot Shops, where they witnessed a glass-blowing demonstration and had an opportunity to paint their very own pottery. Summer tours even included a trip to Moylan Tranquility Iceplex where students got to cool off from the heat and glide around the rink with their fellow classmates and friends.
In addition to student events and outings, the Partnership also prepared for an end of the summer fundraiser celebration. The Partnership For Our Kids teamed up with vinNEBRASKA and Midtown Crossing to host the Summer Wine and Food Festival, “An Evening Escape”, on July 30th on the Midtown outdoor promenade. More than 350 guests enjoyed sampling fabulous wines from both vinNEBRASKA and local distributors. They also sampled extraordinary food from Midtown restaurants and bid on unique day-trips and dream-destination packages. Nearly $50,000 was raised to benefit the students of the Partnership.
While it has been a busy season, there are many more exciting activities planned for the 2011-2012 school year. Be sure to check our online events calendar for more details!
Posted on 18 August 2011 | 8:00 am
Does it get any better than a mouth-watering burger and a heaping pile of fries?
How about being able to help 5,000 Omaha students, while you indulge in this tempting treat?! The Partnership For Our Kids is teaming up with Blanc Burgers and Bottles for an evening of great food for a good cause! Dine out with us at Blanc Burgers and Bottles, located in Omaha’s Midtown Crossing, on Wednesday, August 24th between 4 and 9p.m. and a portion of your purchase will be donated back to The Partnership For Our Kids.
For more information, please call 402-930-3000 or visit www.GetToKnowMeOmaha.com.
Posted on 10 August 2011 | 12:30 pm
Join The Partnership For Our Kids at the Summer Wine and Food Festival, "An Evening Escape", July 30th at Midtown Crossing!
Click here for more information!
Posted on 8 July 2011 | 12:07 pm
Looking for something to do this 4th of July weekend? Check out these family-friendly activities happening throughout the Omaha metro area.
Bank of the West Celebrates America, July 1st
Free concert featuring, Cheap Trick and 38 Special. Fireworks to follow.
Location: Memorial Park, Omaha NE
Cost: FREE
Omaha World Herald Fireworks Night, July 2nd
Ameritrade Park, 1200 Mike Fahey ST
Fireworks following Home Run Derby
Cost: $12
Ralston 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, July 4th
Parade starts at 1pm at 8th and Highland STS;
Fireworks at Lake View Golf Course, 9:30pm
Ralston, NE
Cost: FREE
Bellevue 4th of July Fireworks and Family Day Activities, July 4th
Bellevue Downtown Park, NE
Games and family activities; 2pm-10:30pm
Cost: Activity pricing varies
Posted on 1 July 2011 | 9:38 am
Earlier this week, Deb Denbeck began her new position as president of The Partnership For Our Kids.
Denbeck, who comes to the Partnership from Creighton University, is taking over for Julie Hefflinger, who is retiring from the Partnership this week, after 14 years of service.
Denbeck is honored to have been selected for this position. "I feel very blessed and fortunate to be following in the footprints of someone I have great respect for," says Denbeck. "Julie has done an amazing job of building a strong team and a program that is so needed in the Omaha area." She feels that the Partnership's work to continue providing quality role models and mentors is paramount to helping more Omaha students succeed.
Inspiring commitment to achieving greatness among young people is something that Denbeck knows a lot about, having devoted 21 years of her life to coaching collegiate volleyball. Denbeck has also served as a volunteer mentor for the Partnership’s group mentoring program.
In addition to her coaching and mentoring experience, Denbeck has an extensive background in education as well as fundraising and development. She is very passionate about the power of an education and she says the thing she is most looking forward to about working at the Partnership is having an opportunity to help more young people succeed. "We need to be strong advocates for today's youth--they are our future," she says.
To learn more about Deb, check out our team page
Posted on 24 June 2011 | 12:08 pm
Meet the newest member of the PFOK team, Jennifer Arnold.
Jennifer will be serving as the Partnership’s administrative assistant. She will be responsible for providing assistance to the Partnership’s executive team, helping with event and meeting planning logistics, assisting with the new hire process, ordering office supplies, and ensuring that the office runs as smoothly as possible.
Jen is happily married and has two beautiful boys, Joshua and Cole. She and her family house what she refers to as “a small petting zoo,” consisting of 3 dogs, a snake, lizard and fish and various other critters that her boys bring home.
In her spare time, Jen enjoys summer bike rides and camping on the weekends, decorative painting, reading and evening walks.
To learn more about Jen, view her profile on our website “Teams” page
Posted on 17 June 2011 | 10:48 am
Order in the court!
This week Partnership middle school students visited the Douglas County Courthouse to learn more about the justice system. “Students enjoyed getting to explore the court room and were excited to sit in the jury box and the witness stand,” says Program Specialist, Ramey McNamara.
In addition to exploring the courtroom, students also heard the history of the courthouse and had an opportunity to chat with Judge Larry Barrett. Belvedere sixth grader, Maurice was shocked to find out how many cases appear before the judge on a daily basis. “Judge Barrett told us that there are usually 20 people that come through, and that’s just in the morning,” says Maurice. Maurice added that he was also surprised to learn how much he discovered about the courts from the tour. “Students definitely understood the court system better when we left,” says McNamara. “They walked away with a lot of great knowledge.
To learn more about Partnership For Our Kids summer outings, visit our events page.
Posted on 9 June 2011 | 11:13 am
School is officially out and it is time for a lazy summer season, right? Wrong! The Partnership has a jam-packed summer full of activities, workshops and tours. Here is a peek of just some of what is coming up:
Women Leaders Luncheon-Thursday, June 2nd Attention leading ladies! Learn more about how you can connect with youth of the Omaha community at the Partnership’s upcoming Women Leaders Luncheon, June 2nd. The luncheon will be held from 12-1:30p.m. at Omaha Country Club and will present upcoming opportunities to volunteer with students in the Partnership programs. For more information, call 402-930-3008.
Volunteer Appreciation Reception-Thursday, June 9thWe’d like to give a huge THANK YOU to all of our amazing volunteers. We would not exist without you, and we appreciate all that you do! A special reception will be held in your honor on June 9th. It will take place at Security National Bank, 1120 S 101st St., from 4:30-6p.m. Current volunteers, please drop by and say hello. No reservation necessary!
Student Activities:City Sprouts Workshop- June 1st-24thSeventh grade students will participate in Omaha’s City Sprouts program, June 1-24. They will get a chance to learn about healthy eating, community sustainability and how community gardens can play a part in achieving both!
Iceplex Tours-June 2nd, 7th and 17th Partnership students will go on one of the coolest tours in the city this summer-literally. Sixth through eighth graders will tour Tranquility Iceplex and learn about the intricacies of running an ice complex. Tours will take place June 2nd, 7th & 17th.
Cops and Kids Workshop- June 9th & 10thOn June 9th and 10th, sixth grade students will get a chance to learn more about the justice system through the eyes of a police officer. An Omaha police officer will speak to Partnership students about duties as a law enforcement officer and proper police procedures. Students will also tour the Douglas county courthouse.
For more upcoming event information, visit the events page on our website
Posted on 31 May 2011 | 8:45 am
The Partnership For Our Kids would like to thank the generous sponsors and supporters of Golf For Our Kids. Nearly $30,000 was raised and will benefit 5,000 students participating in the Partnership goal setting and group mentoring programs. “The Partnership For Our Kids programs effectively address an urgent and critical need for a segment of our community’s children,” says Golf For Our Kids Honorary Chairman, Bob Bates. “This program not only gives them hope but develops them into well adjusted and productive people.”
More than 120 golfers from 30 metro-area businesses and corporations hit the Omaha Country Club fairway on Monday, May 16th for the 18-hole scramble tournament. Honorary chairpersons for the event were Bob and Judy Bates and John and Anne Nelson. The tournament’s official golf chairmen were Dick Holland and Mike Yanney and Jim Siedlecki from WOWT Channel 6 served as emcee and media chairman.
Despite the amazing skill displayed on the course, and some extremely close calls, the 2011 Chevy Equinox hole-in-one prize, donated by Gregg Young Chevrolet, remained unclaimed by any of the tournament participants. This didn’t discourage players from giving it their all and ending the day with some pretty remarkable final scores. The first place team, with a combined foursome score of 59, included players Brian Csipkes, Dennis Hein, Kelly Karmazin and Jeff Engdahl from accounting firm, Seim Johnson Sestak and Quist, LLP. "Our strategy was just to have fun," says Seim Johnson foursome member, Dennis Hein.
*Keep an eye out for information to come on the Partnership's upcoming summer event, "An Evening Escape" Summer Wine & Food Festival.
2011 Golf For Our Kids Tournament Sponsors and Supporters
Thank You For Your Support!
Event Sponsors:
Bob and Judy Bates
John and Anne Nelson
SilverStone Group
Meal Sponsors:
Omaha Steaks, International, Inc.
Union Pacific
Hole Sponsors:
Bob and Judy Bates
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Burlington Capital Group
Coventry Health Care
Creighton University
Godfather’s Pizza
Gregg Young Chevrolet
HDR
McGrath North
Mutual of Omaha Bank
John & Anne Nelson
Omaha Steaks International, Inc.
Seim Johnson Sestak & Quist, LLP
SilverStone Group
Tetrad Corporation
Union Pacific
UNO Athletics
Valmont Industries, Inc.
WOWT Channel 6
In-Kind Sponsors:
Addy’s Sports Bar and Grill
Central States Indemnity
Creighton University Athletics
DJ’s Dugout, Downtown
Eileen’s Cookies
Godfather’s Pizza
Hy-Vee
Omaha Country Club
Scheels
Sign IT
Tetrad Corporation
UNO Athletics
Upstream Brewing Company
Participating Foursomes:
Access Bank
Baird Holm
Bob and Judy Bates
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Burlington Capital Group
Coventry Health Care
Creighton University
First Comp Insurance
Five Points Bank
HDR
Richard Holland
McGrath North
MECA
Mutual of Omaha Bank
Mutual of Omaha
Nelson/SilverStone
OPPD
Omaha Public Schools
Omaha Steaks, International, Inc.
Omaha Track Materials
Seim Johnson Sestak and Quist, LLP
Sonburst Communication
The Partnership For Our Kids
UNMC
University of Nebraska Foundation
WOWT Channel 6
Gail and Mike Yanney
Posted on 18 May 2011 | 1:17 pm
Typical fifth grade field trips usually involve a trip to the zoo or a musical performance, but The Partnership For Our Kids has put a career exploration twist on this tradition to inspire more students to start thinking about their future profession possibilities.
This spring, fifth grade students in the Partnership’s goal-setting program toured the twelve local corporations where their goal buddies work. “The students who participate in career exploration discover the day-to-day activities involved with a particular career as well as the type of education necessary as well as its job market outlook for the future,” says Goal Setting Program Director, Beth Smith. Smith adds that using the corporations where goal buddies work as the student field trip destinations is also another way that the students can come to better understand more about who their goal buddies are outside of the classroom.
Program Coordinator, Kris Morgan believes these field trips have been eye-opening experiences for many of the students. “While visiting Union Pacific, one student said he wanted to work on motors when grew up. The student was thrilled to hear that Union Pacific has a need for machinists and mechanics,” she said. “Now he has a lead on a possible career that he may never had considered before.”
The companies that the students toured include: Carlson Hospitality, Center Trophy, Douglas County Youth Center, First Comp, Leo A. Daly, Metro Community College, Mutual of Omaha, Omaha World Herald, OPPD, Union Pacific and Wells Fargo.
Students in the Partnership’s mentoring program will also soon be diving into career exploration field trips and workshops as part of the organization’s summer programming. Summer tours will include Offutt Airforce Base, Rotella’s Italian Bakery, the Nebraska Humane Society, and many others.
For upcoming tour and workshop details visit our online events calendar or check out our events page postings as more information becomes available.
Posted on 5 May 2011 | 2:42 pm
The school year is nearly complete and while some students are day-dreaming about swimming pools and sleeping late, the students in the Partnership’s goal setting program are working hard to achieve their fourth quarter goals and finish the year with a celebration of success!
“A lot of the students are expressing confidence in their goal progress, and some have already met one or two goals,” says Program Coordinator, Kris Morgan.
Several students are also trying to find ways to show appreciation to their goal buddies for encouraging them throughout the year. “Many classrooms created cards for their goal buddies, thanking them for their time, support, and dedication,” Morgan says. She adds that the students are eager to attend the upcoming Winners Circle celebrations. School-wide fourth quarter celebrations will take place on the afternoons of May 10th-19th.
Sixth-graders in the goal-setting program are especially looking forward to the biggest celebration of their goal-setting careers-The Winners Circle Sixth Grade Recognition Program with the Mayor! This special ceremony will take place on May 11th at the Holland Performing Arts Center and will begin at 10a.m. It is open to family members, friends and supporters.
For details, consult our events calendar.
Posted on 28 April 2011 | 9:42 am
A brand new year brings many brand new faces to The Partnership For Our Kids staff!
“Are you smart?”------“Yes!”
Dine out with The Partnership For Our Kids during the month of January. Thanks to generous restaurant partners, Julio’s and Portovino Ristorante, you can support the Partnership by going out to eat! From the Pancho Goldberg Enchilada Platter to Penne Bolognese, whatever you order will benefit the 5,000 students that participate in our programs. 
This past fall, Partnership Administrative Assistant, Jennifer Arnold received a note from Janice Burris a school counselor and Partnership program liaison at Jackson Elementary. Burris had a small request regarding her monthly stipend. “She asked if we might be able to substitute her usual check with a gift card to Plato’s Closet,” Arnold explains. “She mentioned that her students were in need of warm clothing for the upcoming winter months and she would feel better knowing that they were taken care of rather than have the extra spending money,” Arnold continues. 
