I founded Volunteer Nebraska because I believe service isn’t only necessary, it’s a bridge to leadership and empowerment for the youth. During my time as a juvenile diversion officer, I realized community service was often seen as punishment. I wanted to change that perception by showing youth that even preschoolers have the power to serve, belong, and lead through service.
I contribute by building a free, easy-to-use recognition framework for communities across Nebraska. We provide downloadable timesheets, award certificates, project ideas, and a youth-friendly mindset that celebrates service. I also travel the state, speaking at schools and community groups to help educators, parents, and leaders harness service as a bridge to youth leadership.
What inspires me most are the youngest volunteers. Whether a toddler visiting a nursing home or a teen organizing a fundraiser. It’s seeing that spark of pride, knowing service becomes part of who they are. My TEDx talk, “3 Simple Questions to Empower Our Kids,” highlights how introducing service early fosters purpose and connection.
The problem I want to solve is how service is often undervalued, used as only a punishment or delivered with compensation. Far too often, children don’t see their impact recognized. Volunteer Nebraska shifts that by encouraging youth to serve deliberately and feel proud doing it, with no cost to their communities.
What I get out of contributing is hope. Whether I witness a preschooler’s eyes light up after being recognized or a teenager stepping confidently into service leadership, I’m reminded that our work matters. Through these moments, I see the seeds of lifelong civic engagement and leadership being planted.
I contribute by building a free, easy-to-use recognition framework for communities across Nebraska. We provide downloadable timesheets, award certificates, project ideas, and a youth-friendly mindset that celebrates service. I also travel the state, speaking at schools and community groups to help educators, parents, and leaders harness service as a bridge to youth leadership.
What inspires me most are the youngest volunteers. Whether a toddler visiting a nursing home or a teen organizing a fundraiser. It’s seeing that spark of pride, knowing service becomes part of who they are. My TEDx talk, “3 Simple Questions to Empower Our Kids,” highlights how introducing service early fosters purpose and connection.
The problem I want to solve is how service is often undervalued, used as only a punishment or delivered with compensation. Far too often, children don’t see their impact recognized. Volunteer Nebraska shifts that by encouraging youth to serve deliberately and feel proud doing it, with no cost to their communities.
What I get out of contributing is hope. Whether I witness a preschooler’s eyes light up after being recognized or a teenager stepping confidently into service leadership, I’m reminded that our work matters. Through these moments, I see the seeds of lifelong civic engagement and leadership being planted.