The Partnership 4 Kids is a non-profit organization that produces long-term support from pre-kinder to careers, and the program is alive and well at Omaha South High.
The program provides students financial help, a plan for their future, mentorship, tutoring and guidance to help students succeed.
South’s Partnership 4 Kids coordinator is Maria Hernandez who works with freshmen, sophomore and juniors.
Hernandez works with high school students after school helping them from goals to careers. Hernandez became a coordinator after graduating college, she herself did not what to do after college or where to go from there. She ended up going to americorps service where she worked with juniors and seniors helping them prepare for their next steps after high school. Throughout her journey in americoprs and placing a stepping stone for students, she later realized it something she enjoyed.
After her term of service was over with americoprs she heard about the program partnership for kids, they had an opening for the high school team. Since she knew the work was similar, “it was the perfect fit for me” she said. Her she is two years later continuing being a program coordinator.
Hernandez’s goal for all of her students she works with is for them to graduat highschool with a plan of what they want to do, along side with the support of Hernandez and the years of education she has provided for all. She wants them to know where they want to go wether its a 2 or 4 year college, trade school or even the military. Apart from working with them, through meetings and check ins, “i want to make sure they have all the support they need throughout high school” she added. Hernandez herself was a first generation student, she understands the struggle of not having that guindance in education, that many here at Omaha South experience. “Having programs like Partnership 4 Kids having that extra help, helped me choose my path. She said”
“I hope I am able to be that helping hand to my students,” Hernandez said.
Student Ashley Rodriguez is a sophomore at Omaha South High School, and has been in Partnership 4 Kid for four years and counting, she has greatly enjoyed it. “It has been an experience that has helped me grow” she said. “Partnership 4 Kids has guided me throughout my years in middle school, continuing to high school” she added. It has helped Rodriguez improve academically, set goals for herself and learning important life skills for everyday life. Throughout partnership 4 Kids Rodriguez has gained many opportunities, through field trips exploring the college life, to recieveing lessons on real life situations, academic plans, to the exploration of careers. “The program continues to benefit me by keeping me motivated and on my feet” she said.
Student Erica Madera Rodriguez is a sophomore, she is in her fourth year of Partnership 4 Kids she started in seventh grade. Throughout her years in Partnership 4 Kids she has learned a lot about college preparation, which is what Partnership 4 Kids likes to focus on. “It helped me develop a good mindset on my future career and all the possibilities there are” she added.
P4k is a long term program in which they guide and support students till the very end until they achieve their goals. They focus on helping kids with a career in mind, and if not helping find that career that is the righ fit. Partner ship for kids does not let you go until you are ready and in a right place to be on their own. We see how it helps the lives of students, and gives them a mindset that they will carry for life.
Partnership 4 Kids is the helping hand that any student need.
