the old fashioned way

I discovered that the local paper is delivered free to my driveway once a week, or maybe less. I like local newspapers. That is how I found out about the Juvenile Justice Board meeting this month.

When I was running the adult ed program at UNM-Los Alamos, I realized that I was reaching out to the wrong organizations in the community. The schools weren't interested in partnering with me to better serve the kids in the district, and our partnership with LANL really didn't serve the populations I hoped to serve, but the LANL Foundation did. They give grants to schools in northern NM and they really make a difference. It isn't just about Los Alamos.

In fact, I highly recommend any educational conference they put on. They are usually at a casino in the Santa Fe area and the schools that get grants attend. The keynote speaker is always excellent.

Back to the point...when I realized I was reaching out to the wrong people in Los Alamos, I started attending meetings of the nonprofits in the area. I attended a Juvenile Justice Board meeting and simply spent a few minutes telling them about our GED program. No one knew about us!

Anyway, it led to a good relationship with the county's youth advocate. I didn't stay long enough to see if it lasted.

So I'm going to attend the meeting here this month and do the same thing. I will put out feelers to see if there is already someone providing the services I will be offering. I do not want to set up where there isn't a need; after all, that is the whole point of my business -- to reach those who cannot get to the classes offered at nearby colleges, etc. We go to them.

I also noticed in the paper that another new nonprofit has started up in the area. Its mission is to help pregnant women and teens get help they may need. There  may be a place for my services there. I may introduce myself at some point and talk to them. I could offer classes for their clients.

Okay, people! Have a super great day and learn something. I have to take my daughter to class.