Community Connections Mentoring

10/14/2026

Everyone wants to know they matter.

For a young person, having a trusted adult who notices them, listens to them, and takes an interest in their world can help create that sense of belonging.

You matter. I'm glad you're here.

Those words can go a long way. 💙

10/13/2026

What a proud moment for Community Connections Mentoring! 💙

The 2026 ServeNebraska Step Forward Awards luncheon was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people who make a difference in our communities. We were especially excited to see TWO of our mentors recognized: Brian Grandy and Virginia Huffman!

Even more meaningful? Their mentees were there to share in the celebration! Seeing young people alongside the mentors who invest their time, energy, and care in them was a beautiful reminder of what mentoring is all about.

Mentoring is about more than the hours spent together. It’s about relationships, new opportunities, encouragement, and knowing someone believes in you. And sometimes, those young people get to witness their mentors being celebrated for the very difference they make in their lives.

Congratulations to Brian and Virginia, and thank you to everyone who makes mentoring possible in our community!

Stay tuned as we share more about these two amazing mentors! ❤️

Congratulations to Brooklynn DeNaeyer of Thedford, Virginia Huffman of Tryon, and Brian Grandy of North Platte on being recognized at today’s ServeNebraska Step Forward Awards!

Their commitment to serving others and strengthening their communities is well deserving of this recognition. Congratulations to all three!

10/12/2026

🌎 There’s always more to learn.

One of the most valuable things a mentor can give a young person is the opportunity to be curious—to ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and learn from people whose experiences may be different from their own.

Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to learn together.

💙 Stay curious. Listen well. Keep learning.

That’s how we grow—and how we build Strong Communities.

10/10/2026

Imagine going through a difficult time and feeling like you have no one to turn to. No one to talk to about what's weighing on you. No one who notices when something isn't quite right.

For too many young people, that feeling of isolation is a reality.

Along with mental health professionals, mentors are an important part of a young person's support system. A trusted adult who listens without judgment, checks in, and consistently shows up can help young people feel seen, valued, and less alone.

World Mental Health Day is a chance to reflect on the role supportive relationships play in young people's mental health and well-being, and how we can help ensure every young person has someone they can turn to and count on.

10/09/2026

Thank you to Cory at 1240 KODY News Huskeradio for sharing this conversation with Brian about his ServeNebraska award for mentorship.

Mentoring Coordinator for Community Connections, Angela Hipp, and volunteer mentor Brian Grandy, came on Mugs recently to talk about being honored by Serve Nebraska:

10/09/2026

📣 Mentoring Staff Out of the Office Friday, October 9th.

Our mentoring staff will be in Lincoln attending the 2026 ServeNebraska Step Forward Awards, celebrating volunteers who make a difference across Nebraska. 💙

These awards recognize ten outstanding individuals and groups who share their time and talents to improve the lives of others and strengthen our communities.

We’re proud that Community Connections Mentoring will be represented among this year’s honorees! We look forward to celebrating the incredible contributions of volunteers from across our state and sharing more about our own honorees next week.

Congratulations to all the 2026 Step Forward Award recipients! Thank you for helping make Nebraska a place where people care for one another and communities thrive.

💙 Strong Communities are built by people who show up for others.

📌 Mentoring staff will also be out of the office Monday for the holiday. We’ll return Tuesday during regular business hours.

10/08/2026

📚 October is National Book Month!

We’re celebrating the mentors who help young people discover the joy and value of reading. 💙

Through our READ mentoring program, mentors make time for books, conversation, and encouragement while helping young people build confidence and strengthen their literacy skills.

Sometimes it's reading a story together. Sometimes it's talking about a favorite character. Sometimes it's simply helping a young person find a book they can't wait to read.

Every page is an opportunity to learn, imagine, and connect.

📖 Thank you to the mentors who make reading part of their mentoring relationships—and help young people discover where a good book can take them!

10/05/2026

We often celebrate the outcome—but recognizing effort can help young people develop confidence and resilience.

Instead of only saying “Great job!”, try:
💬 “I noticed how much effort you put into that.”

Be specific. Be genuine. And celebrate progress—even when the result isn't perfect.

10/01/2026

🍪 Happy National Homemade Cookie Day!

One of the things we love about community-based mentoring is that mentoring pairs can do everyday things together—including making cookies!

Baking together can mean trying a new recipe, learning a skill, sharing a few laughs, and having time to talk while something delicious comes together. Sometimes the simplest activities create the best opportunities for connection.

And the best part? You get cookies at the end. 💙🍪

What is your favorite cookie to bake?

09/29/2026

🐎🤠 Impact Night: Behind the Scenes with the Mid-Plains Rodeo Team! 🐂

Last week, our mentors and mentees had an incredible opportunity to visit the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team at their practice arena—and what a night it was!

About a third of the team was there to welcome us and give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to rodeo at the college level. We watched barrel racing and bull riding (and WOW, that bull riding was something to see! 🤯), met some of the animals, and even got to pet the bull and horses and hang out with the goats.

Then the fun became hands-on! Our youth got to try the mechanical bull riding machine and learn how to rope a "steer" with help from the team.

One of the things that made the evening so special was getting to hear about the students themselves. Mid-Plains attracts students from all over the country—and even beyond. We met team members from Hawaii and Canada, along with students from across the U.S. It was a great reminder of the many opportunities available right here in our community.

Both youth and adults learned something new, and our mentees had a chance to ask questions, try something completely outside their everyday experiences, and have a whole lot of fun.

A HUGE thank-you to the Mid-Plains Rodeo Team for being so welcoming and interactive with our group. They didn't just demonstrate their sport—they took the time to teach, answer questions, encourage our youth, and let them experience it for themselves.

We are so grateful for opportunities like this that help young people discover new interests, meet people from different places, and see possibilities they may not have known were available to them. 💙