Description
The Partnership For Our Kids is a non-profit organization, which provides at-risk youth in the Omaha Public Schools District, from elementary to high school, with group mentoring, goal-setting and academic support services. We work to empower kids to succeed by introducing them to caring adult role-models, teaching them how to set and achieve their goals, inspiring them to explore a wide variety of career paths and giving them the keys to college access. Currently there are over 5,000 students in 21 Omaha Public Schools participating in two of the Partnership’s unique programs:
Goal Setting and Group Mentoring.
The Goal Setting Program serves students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at 12 OPS Title I elementary schools. Caring adult role models, also known as "goal buddies," meet with students once per month during the school day and motivate them to achieve goals in areas of math, reading, life skills, and attendance. At the end of each quarter, goal buddies, teachers, and parents attend "Celebrations" to commemorate student successes and publicly recognize their goal achievement.
The Group Mentoring Program serves students in grades 7-9 at six middle schools and three high schools in OPS. Adult volunteers, known as "group mentors" meet with students after school in a classroom setting. Professional staff members facilitate these meetings, where students receive academic support, career exploration opportunities, leadership skills training and college access. With the help of group mentors, students obtain year-round, structured programming including summer outings and workshops.
