MEDIA CONTACTS:
Greg Emmel and Carolyn T. Miller, Executive Directors
D2 Center
402-502-8534
info@d2center.org
For Immediate Release: July 30, 2024
United Way of the Midlands Awards $40,000 Grant to the D2 Center to Fund Youth Academic Navigator (YAN) / Reengagement Specialist Program
The D2 Center is pleased to announce it was recently awarded a $40,000 grant from United Way of the Midlands (UWM). Thanks to the generosity of UWM donors, a Youth Academic Navigator (YAN) will continue to reengage and support high-risk youth ages 15-21 who are struggling to finish their high school diploma. YANs build a caring relationship and help students focus on attendance, academics, and connections to needed resources in the community.
This funding was awarded thanks to a dedicated group of community volunteers who meticulously reviewed applications and highlighted our program’s vital role in fostering a thriving community. Their commitment and insight underscore a collective effort through UWM to address pressing local needs, ensuring that this funding will directly contribute to meaningful, positive change.
As Omaha’s only reengagement center, the D2 Center’s primary goals are to get students back into school, keep them in school, and support them to finish their high school diploma. Each YAN serves as a case manager for about 50 high school youth voluntarily participating in the D2 Center program. These high-risk youth may not graduate on time, are attending an alternative school, or have dropped out. After completing intake/assessment, students are assigned a YAN, who checks in with their students frequently and communicates with other adults who care about the student’s progress. The D2 Center has a contract with Omaha Public Schools (OPS) to do outreach to students who withdraw from school but are eligible to enroll, and YANs attempt to reengage these youth to reenroll in school.
With the help of this grant, the D2 Center can provide a mentor/academic coach for disengaged and struggling high school students to help get them back on track to earn their diploma. In the past school year, 133 students participating in D2 Center services earned their diploma.
Kevondra started the D2 Center Youth Academic Navigator (YAN) program in January 2023, when she transferred to an Omaha Public Schools alternative program (Accelere) after attending a traditional high school and not graduating in four years. Netta Prince became her YAN. Kevondra was living at home with her mom and younger sister and was determined to graduate. Her past issues had caused her to lose focus on school. Along with family and personal issues, she also struggled with low self-esteem. Her YAN gradually built a trusting relationship with her and motivated her to work through her issues. The message from her YAN was to reinforce a belief that she could become successful and accomplish anything she wanted if she worked hard for it.
Her YAN connected her with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative Teen and Young Parent Program because she had a baby. Netta also connected her with D2 Center tutoring and a Career Navigator to begin postsecondary planning. She also took a D2 Center elective credit to help her progress toward graduation. Then, Kevondra tragically lost her baby. Her YAN encouraged her to attend counseling and provided moral support to her during this difficult time. Kevondra struggled for several months after this loss and wanted to give up on everything. She became disengaged from school and suffered from depression. Gradually her YAN was able to help her get refocused and to return to school. Family issues with parents and her boyfriend added more stress to her situation. Her YAN convinced her to stay focused on herself and motivated her to attend classes, assuring her that everything else would eventually fall into place. When she finally graduated in May 2024, she thanked Netta for believing in her and motivating her. She also said she appreciated Netta because no one in her family ever told her she was smart and could become successful. Kevondra wants to become a nurse.
“The support of the United Way of the Midlands for the D2 Center YAN program is much appreciated. This collaboration truly makes a difference to young people in our community, and we are thankful to everyone who contributes to the United Way,” said Greg Emmel, D2 Center Executive Director of Programs.
About United Way of the Midlands:
Since 1923, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro by bridging the business and not-for-profit sectors and raising money to support our community’s most impactful health and human service programs. UWM’s funded programs and direct services – like 211 and JAG Nebraska – focus on four key areas to improve health and well-being for all, build financial stability and strength, help young people realize their full potential and address urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow. Learn more at UnitedWayMidlands.org.
About the D2 Center:
The mission of the D2 Center is to connect out-of-school and disengaged youth aged 15-21 into an educational pathway with other resources and support needed to earn a high school diploma and prepare for post-secondary opportunities and a career. Our services are:
- Youth Academic Navigator: YANs are education-focused case managers who check in with their students frequently and help with issues as they emerge to ensure students are making progress and earning credits in school.
- Tutoring and Elective Classes: Tutoring is offered two afternoons a week and elective credit classes are offered in the summer. Certified teachers specialize in creating a small, caring classroom environment with a focus on individual students and their success.
- Career Navigator: Career Navigators assist students with postsecondary planning and connections for both career and educational opportunities. Services are also available to graduates.
- Reengagement Partnership: D2 Center staff members work closely with OPS staff to reengage students who have withdrawn from school but are eligible to enroll. Nearly all dropouts who choose to reenroll attend an OPS Multiple Pathways program.
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