Thirteen students are being welcomed to their Greater Nebraska hometowns for summer internships that will further the community-building work of local Nebraska Community Foundation affiliated funds.
The opportunity to host a summer intern came about through Nebraska Community Foundation’s Hometown Internship Program. Affiliated funds of Nebraska Community Foundation were offered challenge grants in partnership with NCF’s board of directors to ensure students would be compensated for their work.
As part of the program, interns are asked to discover and document the assets and abundance of their homeplace. They will help facilitate conversations with community members regarding these assets and opportunities, and they will co-create opportunities to mobilize these local assets to increase community quality of life.
“Connecting young people to opportunities in their hometowns is critical to Nebraska’s people attraction efforts,” said Jeff Yost, president and CEO of Nebraska Community Foundation. “Thirteen bright, young, ambitious Nebraskans will return to their communities for the summer and while I am certain they will gain invaluable learning experiences, we also have much to learn from these students about what they are looking for in the places they ultimately decide to call home.”
THE 2020 NCF HOMETOWN INTERNS ARE:
Lexi Gross, McCook
Using video, audio and written pieces, the Fort Hays State University student will work with the McCook Community Foundation Fund to create content to tell McCook’s story.
Ben Arens, Ainsworth
The University of Nebraska-Kearney student will help the Brown County Community Foundation Fund host a community visioning session, then assist with execution of the plan that comes from that session.
Lydia Behnk, Elgin
The University of Nebraska-Kearney student will work with the Neligh Area Community Fund to update its strategic plan, build awareness of the fund and challenge grant, create an Old Mill District historic buildings tour, and develop an alumni retention and recruitment plan.
Dakota Cherney, Chester
The Kansas State University student will work with the Hebron Community Foundation Fund to coordinate the creation of a comprehensive civic inventory exploring community engagement, as well as assist with facilitation of peer learning and visioning sessions, and planning for The Dream Switch Project.
Patricia Cleveland, Albion
Currently a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Cleveland’s duties for the Boone County Foundation Fund will include speaking with and learning from community leaders around the state, developing programming for Boone County’s highly successful Cardinal Kids Club, nature and tourism resource development, and help with the Big Give.
Haley Faust, Columbus
A student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Faust will work with the Columbus Area Future Fund on a project in cooperation with the Columbus Area United Way to connect, learn, and work with those impacted by financial insecurity.
Jacy Hafer, Long Pine
A student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Hafer will spend her summer working on a community visioning session and the follow-up work required to complete the plan with the Brown County Community Foundation Fund.
Chloe Higgins, Nebraska City
Higgins, who also interned for Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund and Nebraska Community Foundation last year, will spend the summer as Hometown Interns Coordinator, mentoring and advising all students involved in the program. Read more about Higgins’ internship experience here.
Hannah Meeske, Imperial
The Central Community College – Hastings student will work with the Imperial Community Foundation Fund on youth engagement, communication with donors and the public, social media and website content creation, as well as campaign awareness.
Abigail Moody, Burwell
The Northwestern College, Iowa student will spend the summer working on community asset mapping, marketing and social media, strategic planning, and community collaboration for the Valley County Community Foundation Fund.
Katie Patrick, Grant
Currently a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Patrick will work with the Perkins County Community Foundation Fund to survey Perkins County 501 (c)(3) and governmental entities, record needs, and take stock of assets and social capital of all entities.
Erik Rodriquez, Nebraska City
The Doane University student will work with the Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund to build on their civic inventory, plan The Dream Switch Project, assist with a Missoula Children’s Theatre event, coordinate events with the Omaha Conservatory, and help develop a sustainable program to welcome newcomers to Nebraska City.
Miranda Shreves, Johnson
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln student will work for the Nemaha County Development Foundation Fund on a county-wide asset map/civic inventory, assist with aspects of new city strategic plan, as well as projects with three other interns in the community.
Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month
Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards
Bison Days brings high schoolers and community members to learn about job possibilities but also interests and hobbies in their hometown.
With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.
To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.
Master Storyteller Will be Missed but Memories Remain
Maintaining the status quo or not doing anything may be cheaper initially but long-term, the costs are more.
Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.
