Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) recently welcomed Oshkosh North High School senior Allie Lieb for a job shadow experience focused on nonprofit communications, community engagement, and learning more about how local organizations work together to support the community.
The opportunity grew through the Communities Program at Oshkosh North, an interdisciplinary, project-based learning initiative that encourages students to explore real-world challenges through service, collaboration, and hands-on learning
During her time with OAUW, Allie experienced several aspects of the organization’s work firsthand. She participated in agency impact presentations as part of OAUW’s grant funding process, helping her learn more about how local nonprofits support community needs and measure impact. She also assisted with handwritten thank-you messages for OAUW Community Vault donors — a practice also emphasized within the Communities curriculum — and helped with final preparations for OAUW’s annual Community Impact Celebration.
As part of the Community Impact Celebration program, Allie shared reflections from her job shadow experience with attendees. She and her father, Rick Lieb, also helped spread awareness about the Communities Program at Oshkosh North during OAUW’s Day of Caring event by speaking with participants about the impact of the program and the importance of community involvement.
When asked why it is important for organizations like OAUW to partner with students, Allie shared how experiences like this help students better understand the support systems working behind the scenes in the community.
“Students don’t always realize how organizations like Oshkosh Area United Way make an impact in our schools,” said Lieb. “Whether it’s funding programs that support families in the Oshkosh Area School District, supporting initiatives like the Oshkosh Back 2 School Fair, providing basic essentials through the Community Vault, or managing VolunteerOshkosh.org, our area’s volunteer center, it’s important for students to understand who is helping provide resources and opportunities in our community.”
“For students, experiences like this help create meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world experiences,” said Heidi Thomas, President & CEO of Oshkosh Area United Way. “We were excited to welcome Allie and provide opportunities to learn more about nonprofit work, volunteerism, and the many ways people can make a difference in our community. We also hope this experience supports her as she pursues a degree in social work and explores the many ways she can make an impact in the future.”
OAUW staff were also honored to attend the Communities Program at Oshkosh North Senior Celebration, helping celebrate the accomplishments of Allie and her fellow Communities students and staff, and recognizing the impact of the program.
Congratulations to Allie and all of the Communities Program at Oshkosh North seniors on this exciting milestone and achievement.
OAUW values opportunities to collaborate with local schools and educators to help young people explore career interests, build skills, and better understand how they can make a difference locally.
OAUW also extends appreciation to the students, educators, and family members who help make experiences like this possible, including Barb Ames, Brad Weber, Gina Munig, Richard Lieb, and Susie Lieb for their support of the Communities program and student learning opportunities.
United is the Way to create opportunities for the next generation of community leaders.