Meet Nedhal, Nebraska’s new young leader: “Helping more than I could before in the foster care system is amazing. I’m hoping I can better prepare young adults to feel comfortable being on their own and becoming an adult.”
Blog Archives
Connected Youth Initiative Congratulates Nebraska’s Jim Casey Fellowship Recipient, Nedhal Al-Kazahy
Fall Transitions: Connected Youth Initiative and Partners Identify and Address System-Involved Young People’s Needs
Starting in March 2020, Nebraska Children and partners listened to these young people’s voices. One thing became apparent – they wanted to be heard and find ways to meet their needs. Together, we and our co-collaborators leveraged our supports in response to these essential needs and challenges. Read about the headway we and our partners have made to respond to young people impacted by COVID-19.
Tagged with: (Re)Connecting Youth, connected youth initiative, Connected Youth Initiatve, foster care, foster care system, foster youth, Lincoln Project Everlast, project everlast, Project Everlast Lincoln, Project Everlast Omaha, young parents
Posted in News and Events, Systems, Teen/Early Adulthood
Posted in News and Events, Systems, Teen/Early Adulthood
Camp Catch-Up Reunites Siblings Separated by Foster Care Placements for an Overnight at Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo
The third summer session of Camp Catch-Up kicked off from July 28-29, this time, with 40 campers. Camp Catch-Up is a Connected Youth Initiative (CYI) program that reunites siblings between the ages of 8-19 who were separated due to foster care placements.
We Meet Again: Camp Catch-Up Kicks off its First Summer Session to Reunite Siblings Separated by Foster Care Placements
When life gives you rain, you play foosball.
Such was the case for this year’s Camp Catch-Up (CCU), anyway, which is no stranger to obstacles.
A Nebraska Children and Families Foundation program that operates within Connected Youth Initiative (CYI), CCU remains as resilient as its campers.
Throughout the pandemic, the CCU staff continued to find creative, innovative ways to reunite siblings between the ages of 8-19 separated by the foster care system.
This year’s first Camp Catch-Up summer session, Camp Moses-Merrill, kicked off in Linwood, Nebraska from June 10-13. Read more about how campers and staff enjoyed creating fun, tie-dye shirts, and memories!
Resiliency in the Time of COVID-19: Americle Participates in Connected Youth Initiative and Pulls Through
Americle, a Connected Youth Initiative (CYI) participant, pushes through obstacles and continues to be her best self. Although her journey hasn’t been easy, this young woman who experienced foster care went on to accomplish great things, thanks to her resolve and Connected Youth Initiative programs.
Raising Awareness: Sarah Experienced the Foster Care System and a Thriving Adulthood
This May, as we recognize Foster Care Awareness Month, we bring you Sarah’s story. As an organization that envisions all children, youth, and families thriving, we love to share stories like these. A young mother whose resiliency enabled her to push through life challenges as well as the pandemic, Sarah has been a state ward for, in her words, “as long as she can remember.”
Read more about how Sarah utilized her resolve and a Connected Youth Initiative program to transition into a thriving adulthood.
Tagged with: (Re)Connecting Youth, connected youth initiative, Connected Youth Initiatve, foster care, Foster Care Awareness Month, foster care system, foster youth, jim casey, jim casey youth opportunities initiative, Opportunity Passport, project everlast, Project Everlast Lincoln, Project Everlast Omaha, young parents
Posted in News and Events, Systems, Teen/Early Adulthood
Posted in News and Events, Systems, Teen/Early Adulthood
Meet Lauren Ward: Assistant Vice President of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Shares Her Empowering Approach
How do you and Lauren Ward, Assistant Vice President of Trafficking and Violence Prevention, support human trafficking survivors? Lauren describes how you can go from helping to empowering. Read more.
2021 Youth Legislative Days Meets Virtually for Young Leaders to Make Their Voices Heard
This year’s Youth Legislative Days took place over Zoom. From Feb. 6-8, young people from all over Nebraska had the opportunity to make their voices heard, network, and learn about our legislative system. This year’s event featured a mix of young leaders from the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council (GYAC) as well as participants of Nebraska Children’s Connected Youth Initiative (CYI). Read more.
Erik’s Story: How He Went from Uncertainty to a Natural Leader, Thanks to His Talents and Connected Youth Initiative
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.
Tagged with: (Re)Connecting Youth, connected youth initiative, Connected Youth Initiatve, CYI, foster care, foster care system, foster youth, LEAP, Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential, project everlast, Project Everlast Lincoln, Project Everlast Omaha
Posted in News and Events, Systems, Teen/Early Adulthood
Posted in News and Events, Systems, Teen/Early Adulthood
Alex Finds and Shares His Success with a CYI Program
Alex thought college would be financially impossible. Thanks to his determination and the CYI LEAP program, which provides college-related supports for young people with foster care experience, he’s happily proven wrong. Read more.
