(Omaha, NE.)     The Latino Center of the Midlands is pleased to announce it was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $280,994 from United Way of the Midlands (UWM).  Thanks to the generosity of the United Way donors, the Latino Center of the Midlands (LCM) is able to provide academic support services to students and their parents in the Omaha and Bellevue Public Schools, deliver social services navigation and support services to a largely Spanish-speaking population, while also providing classes for adults to strengthen basic literacy and numeracy skills.

 

The investment from UWM enables the Pathways to Success (P2S) program to provide essential services to more metro Omaha schools.  “The United Way award is an investment in the future of the students we serve.  Our programs focus on supporting high school age youth and their families to improve school outcomes and to build leadership skills that will guide them into adulthood,” says Melissa Mayo, Program and Evaluation Director of the Latino Center of the Midlands.  “We are seeing positive results with our services.  Our Pathways students have improved school attendance rates, are staying on course to graduate, and are developing leadership skills to be more engaged in their family life, school, and community,” says Mayo.

 

In 2015, the LCM served 159 high school students by tracking attendance records, grades and class credits.  These students receive individualized assistance and support in order to keep them on track towards graduation.  LCM staff also keeps in close contact with parents as these youth navigate the challenges of improving academic outcomes.

“The support from the United Way of the Midlands is critical to the Latino Center of the Midlands.  It allows us to keep our programs going.  We know that there are many in our community who need support as they find their pathway towards self-sufficiency,” says Executive Director, Carolina Quezada.

Self-sufficiency is a key goal for the adult learners who come to the center for basic education.  “Our classes provide the adult student with the skills they need to maintain their current employment status, search for jobs and seek advanced educational opportunities. We are pleased to be able to serve these adults knowing that their own self-growth impacts their families as a whole,” says Raul Muñoz, Director of the Adult Basic Education program.  Last year, 456 unduplicated adults were served by the adult education activities.  In total, there were 2,228 clients served at Latino Center of the Midlands in 2015.

###

 

 

About United Way of the Midlands:

We focus the efforts of many to help our neighbors stand strong – by addressing basic needs, and fostering success in the classroom and the workplace. www.UnitedWayMidlands.org

 

About Latino Center of the Midlands:

The mission of the Latino Center of the Midlands is to enhance the lives of the Heartland Latino Community by supporting the education and development of our youth and adults; promoting comprehensive engagement of our families in all facets of their lives; and by fostering leadership through a variety of services and activities.  For more information, please contact Juliana Garza at jgarza@latinocenterofthemidlands.org