Community Resource Sharing Newsletter

Investing Where It Matters Most

As a community, we do a good job recognizing workforce shortages after they become a crisis. We invest in career pathways, scholarships, certifications, and recruitment efforts because we know those professions are essential.

But I find myself asking another question: Who is investing in the people who make all of those future professionals possible?

Every nurse, teacher, mechanic, business owner, farmer, and first responder begins as a child. During the first five years of life, more than 90% of brain development occurs. Those years lay the foundation for learning, relationships, emotional regulation, and lifelong success.

Quality early childhood educators aren't "babysitters." They are brain builders.

Yet childcare programs across Nebraska continue to struggle with staffing and retention—not because people don't care, but because caring isn't enough to pay the bills. Passion alone cannot sustain a profession.

What if we viewed childcare as essential workforce infrastructure instead of simply a service for working families?

When childcare programs are fully staffed and supported:

• Parents can participate in the workforce.

• Businesses have more reliable employees.

• Children enter kindergarten ready to learn.

• Our entire community benefits.

If we truly believe children are our future, then we must also believe the professionals who care for and educate them deserve to be part of that investment.

The conversation isn't just about childcare. It's about the future workforce, the future economy, and the future of our community.

The first five years matter. Let's invest like they do.

We often ask, "Who will be tomorrow's nurses, teachers, and leaders?" Perhaps we should also be asking, "Who will care for them today?"

Collaboration...it's the name of the game!

About a month ago, we kicked off another year of rescuing fresh produce! This produce is still perfectly perfect, but has some small defects that would otherwise cause it to be thrown away. We work with local producers to rescue this produce and distribute it to families. There are so many amazing parts of this work!

1) We are rescuing amazing fresh produce that would otherwise be thrown away. These small imperfections don't impact the quality and by rescuing this produce, we are helping reduce food waste and putting nutritious food on family tables.

2) This is a volunteer-run effort! We have organizations, such as Columbus Area United Way Pacesetter companies and the Columbus Police Department, as well as other volunteers who pick up the produce and drop it off at its distribution location. We also have fabulous volunteers from 1C Church, Taste and See, and kids from Revolution all helping with this effort.

3) We work with area organizations who sign up for produce and distribute it to their families ensuring that this healthy food reaches those who need it.

We have had five produce distributions so far this year and have already almost 4,000 individuals! That's a lot of rescued produce going to families that need it!

Is your organization interested in providing produce to families that you serve? Email slindberg@columbusunitedway.com to make sure you are on the email list!

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