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.
A talented person with a turbulent past, Erik participated in CYI’s LEAP strategy for college students who experienced foster care. Thanks to LEAP and your support, he now thrives. Read More.
For many young people, a four-year college degree is out of reach due to family obligations or financial restrictions. With that in mind, a collaborative group of service providers in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties came together to host a…
More than 50 young people from across the state gathered for the Nebraska Children’s annual Legislative Days at Camp Carol Joy Holling in February to learn about the legislative process and voice their opinions on bills before the legislature. The…
In May, a small-but-mighty group of Connected Youth Initiative employees, young people, and partners traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a learning exchange with the Argentine organization Doncel. The trip was organized as part of the (Re)Connecting Youth initiative spearheaded…
On March 27, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation hosted partners from across the state at the Nonprofit Hub in Lincoln for a training from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on the Your Money, Your Goals™ financial empowerment toolkit. The Your…
Written by GYAC members Ina Bhoopalam and Jennifer Wang On Friday, February 3, members of the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) arrived in Ashland, Nebraska, to participate in an immersive experience about government and leadership. What is Legislative Day? Legislative…
Written with GYAC members Tanya Wasson and Ina Bhoopalam Each year, members of the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council, or GYAC, come together for Legislative Days – a collaborative weekend gathering for GYAC and Connected Youth Initiative members to come together…
On the morning of October 30, more than 100 people gathered together to launch something truly special: a 24-hour Hackathon. So what the heck is a Hackathon? A Hackathon is an event in which coders, hackers, and developers meet to engage in collaborative…
This month’s CYI roundup brings lots of Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) activity, site visits, and a renewed youth interest in legislation. Read on to see what we’ve been up to over the past month. National LEAP partners…
Growing the Good Life 