Holt County, NE – O’Neill Community Foundation Fund and Holt County Economic Development Fund welcomes Emily Morrow and Katie Hawk home for the summer to help local leadership further their missions.
Morrow and Hawk are both students at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Morrow graduated from UNL in May with a dual degree in Advertising & Public Relations and Broadcasting and Hawk will begin her sophomore year in the Fall at UNL studying Business Management. Both began their duties in May and will work alongside local leadership through early August. During that time, Morrow will assist the O’Neill Chamber of Commerce office and O’Neill Community Foundation Fund with digital marketing and media creation, public relations and donor appreciation. Hawk will assist at the Holt County Economic Development office with an Ewing Community Assessment Project and with the Holt County leadership program.
Morrow and Hawk’s positions are being partially funded by Nebraska Community Foundation’s Hometown Internship program. Launched in 2020, NCF’s Hometown Interns program is attracting ambitious young Nebraskans to return to their hometowns for the summer and further the work and mission of their local Nebraska Community Foundation affiliated fund. This program is helping young people feel more connected to their hometowns, hone job relevant skills, and network with adults and job creators in the area. Importantly, it’s allowing them to envision a bright future right in their own hometown.
On the heels of tremendous success with 13 exceptional 2020 Hometown Interns, NCF expanded the program to include up to 25 interns for summer 2021.
“My work last year as a Hometown Intern was eye-opening,” said Miranda Shreves, who will serve as one of two Hometown Intern Coordinators this summer. “I hope this year’s class gains the same perspective and more.”
The expansion builds on the results of the 2020 NCF Youth Survey, which revealed that most participants would prefer to live in a small community, and they’re motivated to make a positive impact on the places that raised them. The primary reason young Nebraskans don’t envision a future in their hometowns comes down to job opportunities—44% of respondents said the main reason they would not remain in their area is because of career opportunities elsewhere. NCF’s Hometown Internship program aims to capitalize on that by creating those opportunities right at home.
“By welcoming Morrow and Hawk back home, the O’Neill Community Foundation Fund and Holt County Economic Development Fund opens doors to a fresh look at community building,” said NCF President and CEO Jeff Yost. “The benefits go both ways. Our affiliated funds gain a new, youthful perspective to propel them into the future, and interns learn their hometowns offer so much more than previously assumed. By the end of the summer, we hope they will find Greater Nebraska is the perfect place to build a career, family and life.”
About Holt County Economic Development
Holt County Economic Development Fund was established in 2007 through an inter-local agreement between the communities of Holt County, NE. Its mission is to enhance and promote economic vitality and a strong sense of community for existing and future businesses of Holt County. It offers existing and start-up businesses technical assistance, education, local grant and loan assistance, business planning, location assistance, and much more to help them thrive in Holt County.
Holt County Economic Development Fund is an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation.
About O’Neill Community Foundation Fund
The O’Neill Community Fund exists to improve the quality of life here in O’Neill, Nebraska, now and forever, and to build a culture of giving. We award grants to community organizations and projects and manage a variety of funds established by families, individuals and businesses. We are here to help our community. We are here to help donors do good work…. For good. Forever.
The O’Neill Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation.
About Nebraska Community Foundation
Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.
Headquartered in Lincoln, the Foundation serves communities, donors and organizations by providing financial management, strategic development, education and training to a statewide network of 1,500 volunteers serving 270 communities.
In the last five years, 45,313 contributions have been made to Nebraska Community Foundation and its affiliated funds. Since 1994, Nebraska Community Foundation has reinvested $393.1 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.