A Note from Megan-

Dear Collective for Youth Community,

As we move toward summer, I am proud of the momentum our team and Network partners continue to build—locally and nationally. Over the past months, we have advocated in Washington, D.C. with Nebraska’s congressional delegation to protect critical federal funding for afterschool programs, including 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, Child Care Block grants and participated in national conferences to elevate Omaha’s leadership in workforce development and program culture. Through our active role in the Every Hour Counts network, including service on its governance committee, Collective for Youth continues to help shape national conversations around highquality afterschool systems while learning from peers across the country.  We recently shared our middle school model with our peers at a national conference in Washington, D.C.

Closer to home, we are putting the final touches on summer programming with our partners, ensuring an engaging, enriching, and fun experience for over 3,000 youth we serve during the summer months. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to creating opportunities where young people thrive.
Warm regards,
Megan

Advancing Nebraska’s Youth: Collective for Youth at the U.S. Capitol

In March, Megan Addison and Nicole Everingham joined four other Nebraska representatives in Washington, D.C., for the Afterschool Alliance’s Afterschool for All Challenge. The group met with staff members from all five of Nebraska’s congressional offices to advocate for the future of our youth and the essential role of afterschool programming. With the federal budget facing potential cuts that could zero out 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) funding, our message was clear: Nebraska cannot afford to lose these essential resources.

We shared the staggering reality that for every one child in an afterschool program, three more are waiting for a spot. As nonprofits across the state are being forced to close or do more with less, cutting this funding would directly worsen the current childcare crisis in Nebraska. Now more than ever, we need federal support to ensure 21st CCLC remains in the 2026-27 budget so that our students remain safe, inspired, and supervised.

 

NAA Conference- Thriving Workforce, Thriving Youth: Supporting Growth & Leadership in Youth Work

LaRon Henderson and 3 co- presenters lead an invigorating workshop on how a thriving workforce contributes to thriving youth. This session used select insights from the Power of Us Workforce Survey to frame why career growth, mentorship, and leadership development matter across the out-of-school time field. Participants heard examples from City of Philadelphia’s Out-of-School Time Initiative, Collective for Youth in Nebraska, and Partnership for Children & Youth in California highlighting how they are strengthening the youth service workforce in their local communities through learning hubs, mentorship structures, leadership development, and other professional growth supports. Participants will also engage with Every Hour Counts’ Youth-Serving Career Pathways Infographic as a tool to support career conversations, professional growth, and development planning within their organizations.

Feel free to join in the conversation at the upcoming Every Hour Counts, Virtual Conference – June 10 – 11^th, – Charting a Path Forward in Changing Times !

STEM

Nik’s most recent  STEM Community of Practice meeting brought CFY Network members together for an engaging, hands-on exploration of the CFY STEM Library and its many resources. Participants rotated through interactive stations, experimenting with tools and materials designed for Session 5 and Summer 2026 programming. This meeting was a hands-on workshop focused on preparing educators for upcoming 2026 STEM programming. Participants engaged in “student-mode” activities, such as building mechanical hands and exploring the MLB STEM Leagues math game.

Beyond the specific tools, the session emphasized practical classroom setup, safety, and collaboration across the CFY Network to boost teacher confidence and student engagement. Attendees left feeling inspired, more confident in using STEM equipment, and equipped with ready-to-implement activities. This meeting truly showcased how hands-on exploration can strengthen both educator practice and student experiences.

Celebrate Afterschool Professionals, April 20-24, 2026!

Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week (APAW) is a time to recognize, appreciate and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours. The week is marked by celebrations, public relations, and advocacy efforts encouraging appreciation and support for afterschool professionals who make a profound difference in the lives of youth.

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities!

Follow The Collective podcast on Spotify!

Collective for Youth Workshops-

Emotional Intelligence Training – April 7 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Third Thursday Training – Planning and Reflection – April 16 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Emotional Intelligence Training – May 5 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am

*Each CFY workshop is followed up with a relevant podcast on Spotify.

National Conferences-

BOOST Conference, Palm Springs, CA- April 28- May 1 https://www.boostconference.org/

Every Hour Counts, Virtual Conference – June 10 – 11^th, – Charting a Path Forward in Changing Times