Partnership Volunteer In The News

It is no secret that The Partnership For Our Kids has the best volunteers in Omaha, but it is always exciting to see when these amazing individuals are recognized for their many wonderful contributions to the community.

Last week, Bob Herrera, Winners Circle captain for Jackson Elementary, was honored as “Latino Partner of the Year” by the Heartland Latino Leadership Conference. Herrera has been assisting with organizing the conference since 2000. As an information services manager for Mutual of Omaha, his participation with the event has helped to track its evolution. Today the conference draws more than 500 participants, provides scholarships and offers an opportunity for Latino merchants to show their wares.

It’s not surprising that Herrera says his favorite part of being involved with the planning and implementation of the conference is witnessing the excitement of the students that attend. “The students come and get inspired; they leave more motivated,” he said.

The Partnership For Our Kids wishes to extend a special thanks to Captain Herrera for his commitment to the Winners Circle program and for his outstanding service to the entire Omaha community!

A Note of Thanks

The Partnership For Our Kids is extremely thankful for our volunteers. Their commitment to the students enrolled in our programs is simply amazing. What is perhaps even more astounding is that these devoted volunteers take the time to express how much they love doing what they do. Below is one of the many notes of appreciation submitted by our volunteers:

I want to thank you for the opportunity of being a "Goal Buddy" at Belvedere! This is such a tremendous program and a priceless opportunity to be involved in the lives of the youth of Omaha.

When I left Belvedere yesterday, I spent a long time reflecting and being thankful. As a former teacher, especially as a former BELVEDERE teacher, my heart is touched by the commitment and hope that is exhibited by the Winners Circle program and the goal buddies. There is no greater gift than love and I saw this yesterday on the faces of the goal buddies, the staff, and especially on the sweet faces of the students.

I want to commend all of you on your work and dedication. Thank you, again, for allowing me to partner with you in making a difference in the lives of our Omaha youth!

Suzi Yokley-Busby-UNO, BBF Engagement and Attendance Initiative
Belvedere Goal Buddy

Being A Bookworm Pays Off!

Thanks to the Omaha Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, 337 Winners Circle students spent their summers getting lost in exciting adventures, solving mysteries and flying away to fantasy-lands; all without even leaving the city. In addition to providing students with a great way to stay entertained, reading programs like the one sponsored by the Omaha Public Library are also helping to battle summer learning-loss, often referred to as the “summer slide.”

It is estimated that school summer breaks will cause the average student to lose up to one month of instruction, with disadvantaged students being disproportionately affected (Cooper, 1996). Researchers also conclude that two-thirds of the 9th grade reading achievement gap can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during the elementary school years, with nearly one-third of the gap present when children begin school (Alexander, Entwistle & Olsen, 2007).

Winners Circle students that participated in the Omaha Public Library reading program this summer, were rewarded for their efforts by having their name printed on the “Summer Reading Honor Roll” plaque and each student also received a brand new book to read. Summer readers were also recognized for their efforts at all first-quarter Winners Circle celebrations this month.