A Note from Megan-

As I reflect on the start of the school year and how quickly these past few months have passed, I want to pause and thank all of you who have supported Collective for Youth throughout the years. This year has brought significant challenges—from federal debates surrounding 21st Century Community Learning Center funding to ongoing policy issues that affect the youth and families we serve. As the executive director of Collective for Youth, I remain committed to keeping you—our supporters and stakeholders—informed about policy changes and the ways they may impact our work.
These unpredictable factors have been especially challenging for the frontline staff at our program sites. The strength of our programs is rooted in the strength of the people who lead them. Our program staff build relationships and create meaningful connections between students, schools, and the community. They are master facilitators—coordinating activities and events, coaching and supporting team members, and continuously learning so they can improve. They are mentors, teachers, friends, and leaders.
We are deeply grateful for all they do and for the heart they bring to this work. Their impact is profound, and the responsibilities they shoulder are anything but small. So, the next time you see an afterschool provider, please take a moment to thank them. They truly deserve it.

Partner News

WhyArts Inc. – Collective for Youth extends our heartfelt congratulations to Mary Gibilisco, Executive Director of WhyArts Inc., on receiving the Nebraska Arts Council’s Access to the Arts Award. This honor recognizes individuals, businesses, or community organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing outreach and inclusion in the arts. We are proud to celebrate Mary’s well-deserved achievement and equally proud of our long-standing partnership with WhyArts—one that has been integral to our work since our inception. Click here to learn more about this award.

STEM Impact Awards – On Wednesday, November 5th, the CFY team attended the Omaha STEM Ecosystem STEM Impact Awards to celebrate CFY’s STEM Partnerships Manager, Nik Stevenson, and CFY Board member Dr. Deepak Khazanchi. Nik was the recipient of the Inspiring Minds award and Dr. Khazanchi was honored with the Transforming Communities award.

The STEM Impact Awards is an annual event honoring the champions of our STEM Community. Help us recognize these outstanding individuals, programs, and organizations that have made a significant impact in advancing STEM education, access, engagement, or workforce development in our community.
We are proud of all the award recipients and the impact they have made on the STEM Community in Omaha!

November Site Visits

Collective for Youth hosted a site visit to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo – Pine Elementary afterschool program on November 18th.  The visit was a huge success, showcasing an engaging and high-quality learning environment for students. The program’s staff demonstrated an admirable commitment to providing hands-on, educational activities, integrating the zoo’s strong focus on science and conservation programming for kids.

Data Findings

Collective for Youth partners with lead agencies to administer a staff survey twice each year. Originally developed collaboratively, the survey measures staff perceptions of their agency, supervisory relationships, job satisfaction, and their skills in working with youth. In Fall 2025, 313 network staff completed the survey. With coaching and feedback as a key network priority this year, results were encouraging: 88% of staff said their supervisor provides praise and recognition, and 91% reported receiving timely, helpful feedback. Additionally, 91% felt a sense of personal accomplishment in their work, and 95% said they are proud of the work they do.
CFY also gathers feedback about its own support. In the fall survey, 85% of full-time staff reported being satisfied or very satisfied with CFY. One staff member noted, “CFY has a great group of people…their positive attitude makes me feel positive about the reason I’m really here.” When asked how CFY could further support the network, staff suggested additional training topics, advocating for increased pay, more site visits and on-site presence, and expanded curriculum resources.

STEM Spotlight

Our November Community of Practice meeting brought together 21 sites and 12 STEM providers to experience engagement and relevancy in action! A huge shout-out to Dan Maline from Invention Scouts for his dynamic facilitation—check out the video to see the energy firsthand.
We also hosted a STEM training for Boys & Girls Clubs with over 25 participants diving deep into the STEM Library and strategies for leading engaging STEM experiences. These professional development sessions are designed to empower partners with practical tools and inspiration. Are you interested in bringing this type of training to your team? Reach out today to schedule your own customized STEM PD Workshop for you!

Save the Dates!

Don’t forget to register for any of our upcoming trainings! Click here to see a full list of offerings available to the public at no cost to the participants.