Twenty-four young Nebraskans from every corner of the state recently gathered in Norfolk to kick off a summer of uncovering the unseen assets that make their communities unique and working with local leaders to make an impact on the places they love.
As they floated down the North Fork of the Elkhorn River to end their opening retreat, Nebraska Community Foundation’s (NCF) (nebcommfound.org) 2025 class of Hometown Interns pondered the months of discovery that lay ahead of them.
A Hometown Intern is a current high school graduate who has spent at least six months away and lives at home for the summer. All have displayed curiosity, open-mindedness, flexibility, a desire to see their hometown through fresh eyes and a drive to contribute to the future of their community. Interns are compensated for their work through a generous gift from an anonymous donor to NCF, which is matched by their affiliated fund.
Interns also participate in Operation Discovery, a course designed to help them unleash their vision, creativity, and passion while they build relationships within their hometowns.
“Operation Discovery ignites joy, curiosity, and belonging,” said NCF Director of Asset-Based Community Development Becky Boesen. “It empowers Hometown Interns to hold up a mirror to their community, reflecting its abundance and unleashing local goodness.”
“Nebraska Community Foundation has declared 2025 the ‘Year of Invitation,’ and Hometown Internships are one of the most powerful invitations Nebraska communities can extend to their young people,” said NCF CEO and President Jeff Yost. “By offering freedom to uncover, innovate and co-create, this experience is unique in its ability to empower the next generation of Nebraska leaders while strengthening the bonds that energize the communities we love.”
For more information: https://www.nebcommfound.org/news/nebraska-community-foundation-unleashes-hometown-interns/