Helping Adult Learners Build Skills is Primary Focus of Joplin NALA

By Don Lowe

There’s no better way to show strong support for Joplin NALA (Neighborhood Adult Literacy Action) than by attending this organization’s Joplin History Murder Mystery experience early next month.

Joplin NALA Executive Director Jessica Pommert says, “We’re so excited to provide our very first fundraising dinner this year. Our board president, Josh Shackles, has written this fun and engaging mystery for our event.

“We are excited to provide a fun evening for the community to learn about the history of Joplin, learn about and support the literacy needs of our community and to have fun. Our board has been working tirelessly to put this event together and is seeking volunteers and partners to make it an enjoyable time.”

In explaining what Joplin NALA strives to do, Pommert says, “Our mission is to provide tuition-free programs to improve the self-sufficiency of families by supporting adult learners in their efforts to increase skills – efforts that give them access to a better life and make a positive impact on our community.

“We offer classes and one-on-one tutoring in literacy-related subjects, including reading, writing, math, computer literacy and English as a second language. By helping adults increase their basic skills and to understand the importance of literacy, we are helping adults reach their full potential and access all their options in life, while strengthening the literacy support for children.”

Pommert continues, “Our English as a Second Language classes are impactful, as they provide a place for people to make friends, while they learn a different language and learn the basics of traversing a new culture.

“We also provide a class for adults with different abilities. This class gives our adult students the opportunity to maintain and improve their literacy levels in reading and math, while gaining confidence and new friendships.”

That’s not all. “We are so grateful for the computer lab that has provided basic and intermediate computer classes and will soon offer a smartphone class. Our students have the opportunity to become digitally literate and able to do tasks that would otherwise be overwhelming without our class.”

As for what allows Joplin NALA to flourish, Pommert says, “We are only as successful as our students. They are the reason we work so hard. Our students begin generationslong ripple effects in their families just by walking through our doors and being ready to learn.

“We could not provide such a vast program without our volunteers. Our volunteers provide a kind, warm, inviting and engaging environment for our students to thrive. I truly believe we have some of the most dependable and engaged volunteers in Joplin.

“We also owe our success to our board members, current and past. Our board has always valued the students first and it is made obvious by their service and dedication.”

It’s easy to see Pommert is ecstatic to have a role in this worthwhile initiative. “The lasting impact this organization has had on our community these 42 years, our students’ resilience, the focused mission of helping others and the bright future ahead make me proud to lead this organization.”

Joplin NALA (Neighborhood Adult Literacy Action)

Fast Facts

Address:

123 South Main Street, Joplin, MO

Phone Number: 417.782.2646

Website: www.joplinnala.org

Email address: jessica@joplinnala.org

Hours: Monday-Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Mission: “We are a non-profit committed to the mission of fostering and strengthening literacy skills and coordinating with community resources to provide services, enabling learners to reach their full potential.”

Joplin History Murder Mystery

Fundraiser Event Details: Please join them Saturday, June 3, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Pass Event Center inside Palace Pizza (1208 South Main Street) in downtown Joplin for an evening of dinner, served by Palace Pizza, dancing and murder. Activities include a cash bar, photo booth, money game, dinner, dessert, dancing, party games and, of course, a murder. Semi-formal, formal, Western or appropriate character costumes are required for entry. Seating is limited, so make sure to get your tickets early. Note: All the proceeds from this event go directly to support Joplin NALA’s programming and will help us expand our services to offer Family Literacy programming.

Murder Mystery Event General Admission: $50

Radiant Glo

1710 East 32nd Street, Suite G1 • Joplin, Missouri

417.434.2963 • www.radiant-glo.com

Radiant-Glo of Joplin offers a wide variety of beauty and skincare services, including spray tans, semi-permanent makeup and bodyscultping treatments. Their jet plasma treatment is a pain-free procedure proven to tighten skin by 14.8% after just one visit, plus many other skin benefits. Radiant-Glo also offers non-invasive laser lipo where the use of red-light lasers directly penetrate through 10 layers of fat, ridding the body of fat cells.

Radiant Glo wants you to feel your best and look your best! They also offer free consultations. Book your appointment at radiant-glo.com, by calling 417.434.2963 or visiting their location at 1710 East 32nd Street, Suite G1 in Joplin.

Solace House

417.437.9305 www.solacehouseoftheozarks.com

Solace House is a home in Joplin providing end-of-life care when dying at home is not an option. We provide a private room for each guest in their last 30 days of life, including kitchen/shower access and a place for a family member to sleep. Our trained volunteers provide 24/7 caregiving assistance for each guest as we work in conjunction with a hospice provider. Solace House of the Ozarks is a non-profit organization relying 100% on donations, grants and volunteers, so there is no charge to the guest or to their family. For more information, visit www.solacehouseoftheozarks.com or call 417.437.9305.

Power Washing Plus

417.291.0549 www.powerwashingplus.com

So many businesses and homes have nasty green and black stains and buildup on their exteriors of buildings, concrete and decks. Then they discover Powerwashing Plus, which solves the problem by cleaning everything! With their specialized equipment and custom detergent blends, they can clean more thoroughly and in less time than customers ever believed possible. Customers live happily ever after, satisfied their properties are now clean, healthy and not an eyesore to themselves and the neighborhood. Call Steve, the “King of Clean” at Powerwashing Plus if you need your business or personal property cleaned. Steve has conquered even the most challenging jobs in the Joplin metro area for the past 19 years. Contact us at 417.291.0549 or visit our website at http://www.powerwashingplus.com.

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JoyLong@ShelterInsurance.com

Joy has been an insurance agent for 18 years and is driven by customer service. “My mother taught me at a young age to treat people with respect and dignity, which is what everyone deserves.” Previously, she worked in retail, food service and secretarial jobs. “I have always worked with the public, and I was hired by an insurance agent as his secretary and learned pretty quickly how to take care of clients.” Today, she writes and services Auto, Home and Life policies for Shelter’s clients. Over the years, Joy has learned to take a day or two for herself to relax.

“I do crafts and love to visit my daughter, Ashleigh, and her husband, Jacob, in Branson and just goof around. I also work in my church with the ladies’ ministry.” She and her husband, Roger, have been married 30 years, and he has a son, Steven, from a previous marriage. They also have two cats, Lily and Penny.

The Social Sip

1877 West Mound Street • Carthage, Missouri 417.629.7443 • thesocialsipllc.net

Summer is almost here, which means weddings, events and celebrations! The Social Sip is a mobile bar and bartending company that also specializes in event planning and consulting. We have a wide range of knowledge in wine, along with a passion for mixing your favorite cocktails! The Social Sip customizes the ultimate bar experience for weddings, parties, corporate events and other celebrations. They also carry general and liquor liability insurance for the 417, 918, 620 and 479 zip codes! The Social Sip is already approved at your local venue, and they have an elite staff of bartenders waiting to serve you on your big day or special event. Cheers!

96 Elite

23895 State Hwy 96 • Oronogo, Missouri 417.214.8994 • 96elite.com

If you desire to host an elegant wedding or event in a luxe space, 96 Elite is the venue for you. 96 Elite is an 11,000-square-foot building outfitted with stained concrete floors and fashionable, whitewash shiplap walls. The main indoor wedding space includes 26-foot-high ceilings and an elegant 6-foot-tall Swarovski crystal chandelier. Also inside is a gorgeous foyer and spacious upper balcony. Outside, a paved courtyard is surrounded by the beauty of nature and the perfect place for outdoor ceremonies. Walk the pathway and you’ll find the nearby boat dock, rowboat, ornate fountain, gazebo and romantic Heart Pond! Schedule a tour today by calling 417.214.8994.

Trackside Burgers

1515 West 10th Street • Joplin, Missouri 417.717.1161

We are excited to share that the Trackside BBQ Food Truck is officially open! With a full barbecue menu, you won’t want to miss it! We’re traveling all around the area offering the delicious barbecue you’ve come to know and love. The Trackside BBQ Food Truck serves meat by the pound, and you can’t go wrong with our specialty items such as ribs, turkey legs or the Nacho cow, Nacho pig and brisket cheesesteak sandwich. To follow along and see where we’ll be next, visit our Facebook page! As always, you can visit our Joplin restaurant Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Extreme Sports Scuba

5203 S. Range Line Road Joplin, MO • 417.659.9009

Diving is your ticket to underwater exploration! The realm beneath the waves is a place that reveals itself to you a little more with each dive. At Extreme Sports Scuba, we have everything you need to explore the wonderful world under the sea. We offer several diving classes for beginner to expert. We also host group diving trips to the beautiful Caribbean! Call us today and find out how learning to scuba dive can change your world!