(Audio) Mid-Plains United Way and Community Connections

Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Mid-Plains United Way Executive Director Haven Smith and Anegla Hipp, the Mentoring Coordinator at Community Connections. Smith recaps the FNBO Chili Cook-Off and gives us a more Indepth looking into Mid-Plains United Way. Hipp talks about the mentoring program at the Community Connections 

  

NORTH PLATTE - The Mid-Plains United Way kicked off their 2023-2024 campaign with the 28th Annual FNBO Chili Cook-Off. For this year's event, over 240 people attended and almost $4,000 was raised. The event this year raised $500 more than last year.  

Mid-Plains United Way supports 11 non-profits and serves in a 16-county region. "The non-profits provide services and programs that improve education and health and finical stability for people in need," said Mid-Plains United Way Executive Director Haven Smith. 

One of these organizations that is supported by the Mid-Plains United Way is Community Connections of Lincoln County. Community Connections is a non-profit that matches youths with mentors. Many of the youths will be matched up with mentors that have very similar skill sets. 

Teammates is another program that matches youth with mentors. However, Community Connections has a slightly different approach than Teammates. "Well just that, you know (Teammates) school based, there meeting at the school at a set time each week. There are kids who need maybe some mentoring outside of the school," said Mentoring Coordinator Angela Hipp. "We think the relationship can really flourish when they are able to go do that." 

If you would like to learn more about the two organizations, check out the podcast above. If you would like to learn more about Mid-Plains United Way, click here. To learn more about Community Connections, click here.