Dear young Nebraskan

My sincere hope is that I am just one of many people in your life saying this: we need and want you here in Nebraska.

Generation Z will have a massive impact in our state, especially in rural Nebraska. You have come of age in a world of constant change and technological advancement, shifting like the braids of the Platte River under a powerful current. Your formative years unfolded amid a pandemic, recessions and political unrest – but also abundance and cooperation. You have, with technology you’ve known since childhood, forged new forms of connection by cultivating communities across national and international borders. Navigating a world in a permanent state of flux has made you resilient and inquisitive. It’s unlikely that the rate of change will slow anytime soon. Your adaptability will be an incredible asset in the decades ahead.

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are the most diverse generations of Nebraskans in recent history. With that comes a predisposition to inclusivity that can change the long-held misconceptions people have about our state. For Nebraska to have a future, it must be a place where everyone belongs. For you, this is an obvious foundation for success, and you aren’t afraid to have your voice heard on the matter.

Your curiosity and insistence on innovation will carry our state into the future. Have dreams of starting your own business? I speak with homegrown entrepreneurs every day who credit their success to community support, something they say they never would have found in a big city. Many of them are young, fresh out of college or still enrolled in classes, but their communities have welcomed their dreams to build something new and contribute to shared well-being.

Gen Z, you crave purpose, not just a paycheck. The research shows young Nebraskans and other members of your generation are values driven, perhaps more so than any generation before you. You are attracted to work – be it paid or volunteer – that lights your fire. In Greater Nebraska, the opportunities for making a tangible impact are abundant. In fact, we work with thousands of volunteers of all ages who share your desire to leave the world better than you found it. Trust us, they are looking for bright minds and passionate hearts like yours to lead the way.

But perhaps your generation’s most admirable quality is your authenticity – something that will serve you well in the leadership roles you fill in the future. Your awareness of mental health is long overdue and something that would serve those before you well.

Nebraska Community Foundation and its network of affiliated funds hope to play a part in empowering your generation. Over the last five years, we’ve sponsored dozens of Hometown Interns across our state. These college students return to their hometowns for the summer and dive headfirst into discovering the hidden potential of their places. Many have returned to the program after their first year because they found it so eye-opening.

One of those young Nebraskans is Jadyn Schultis of Diller in Southeast Nebraska. Jadyn joined the program in 2022 and has returned in both 2023 and 2024. In her first year, supervisors challenged her and another intern to innovate ways to involve youth in community-building efforts. Together, they created the Diller Serviceship Camp, an event that educates elementary students on Diller’s history and assets before asking them to generate their own ideas for projects that could make Diller even better. The camp has been a major success for Diller, and it’s broadened Jadyn’s horizons regarding the role she can play in crafting the future of her hometown.

Jadyn tells us she now feels like a change-maker and leader for communities throughout the state, thanks in part to her internships. That’s exactly the feeling we want young Nebraskans across the state to experience.

Dear young Nebraskan, know that we – your elders – see ourselves in you. We too once felt misunderstood and underappreciated. Sometimes our eagerness for change was met with doubt and negativity. But without change, there cannot be progress. You will not be alone in this pursuit. Community leaders throughout this state are ready to listen, extend an invitation and make space for you and your peers.

Dear young Nebraskan, stick with it. Our future depends on you.

Together a Greater Nebraska,

Jeff Yost

Jeff Yost is president and CEO of Nebraska Community Foundation. Learn more about NCF’s work at NebraskaHometown.org.