Driven by a mission to create positive change for Nebraska’s children, Beyond School Bells (an initiative of Nebraska Children and Families Foundation) focuses on providing K-12 students with high-quality expanded learning opportunities (ELOs) that promote hands-on, engaged learning. The Nebraska…
The Peter Kiewit Foundation was recently awarded the 2024 Grace Abbott Award for their investment in the growth of Nebraska’s children.
Nyaruot’s early life was marked by frequent moves and instability, but after finding stability and support in a foster family, she faced new challenges in college. With the help of her coach, Tanya and various programs, she overcame setbacks and achieved her goals, earning a social work degree. Her journey highlights the power of resilience and support networks.
The voices of Nebraska’s youth proved to be a powerful force, swaying Governor Jim Pillen to support crucial legislation impacting food security for 150,000 children in Nebraska. The young advocates, representing communities across Nebraska, presented compelling arguments at Legislative Days, ultimately influencing the governor’s decision. Their success highlights the transformative impact of youth advocacy in shaping policy.
The Beyond School Bells (BSB) Youth Leadership Council (YLC) in Nebraska empowers high school students to make a difference in their afterschool programs. The council creates and proposes projects to enhance afterschool activities and address unmet needs.
This is a story of empowerment. Learn how STEM and afterschool programming impacted the life of a Lincoln teen.
Camp Catch-Up, offered by Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, offers sibling groups separated by foster care an opportunity to reconnect and strengthen bonds. The inaugural winter camp, filled with activities and crafts, served as a meaningful reunion space and time for its campers. The camp fosters both active and quieter moments to engage campers, such as a collective painting project reflecting their time at the camp and a gift-exchange ritual, bolstering family ties. Volunteers, including past campers, contribute towards creating a nurturing environment for the children.
Designed to bring siblings separated through foster care placements back together, Camp Catch-Up offers an opportunity to reunite with these siblings. For some, it has been quite a long time since they have seen their siblings. Often years.
Created to raise youth voice specifically in the afterschool and summer education space in Nebraska, the Beyond School Bells (BSB) Youth Leadership Council (YLC) lifts youth leadership to positively impact community change. Beyond School Bells (BSB), an initiative of Nebraska…
by Jeff Cole, Network Lead, Beyond School Bells Engaging, playful, inspiring, purposeful, youth-centered, hopeful, fun – the future of afterschool and summer learning in Nebraska is bright. That is the overarching takeaway from the first-ever Nebraska ELO Innovation Invitational. Nebraska…
Growing the Good Life 