Next month, Haley and Jordyn will be presenting a webinar on their advice to rural leaders on youth engagement. Register
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I have a very special treat for you! I have invited two outstanding young adults with passions for the future of rural communities to share their stories and perspectives with us. Haley Harthoorn and Jordyn Lechtenberg are students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Their love for their hometown, Ainsworth, Neb. and their desire to encourage other young people to pursue futures in rural America, is calling them to team up to create professions in this work.
It is my honor to have the opportunity to mentor Haley and Jordyn as they pursue their shared commitment for Rural America, and I know you will enjoy learning from them. First, we hear from Haley and next month Jordyn will share her viewpoint.
Also, don't miss the end of Haley's article for an opportunity to join a free webinar when she and Jordyn share their advice for rural leaders!
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Haley Harthoorn - My Community Invested in...Me!
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Haley Harthoorn
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"Now Entering The Middle Of Nowhere." This slogan was commonly seen and associated with my roots in north central Nebraska. The question remains: who would ever want to live in the "Middle of Nowhere?" My answer: That depends on how you look at it. Is Ainsworth, Neb. the middle of nowhere or the middle of everywhere, because its located in the heart of the nation?
My community took a chance and invested in me. Being raised on a ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills is an experience I wouldn't trade, and investing back in rural America is a dream I won't give up. My town of 1,800 people handed me responsibility to make an impact and connected me with what was really happening in my community. It is because of this investment that I decided I wanted to dedicate my career to advancing the future of rural communities.
My experience with my local economic development organization and in community-focused activities ultimately created a deep appreciation for my roots. I was given the chance to spearhead projects such as a youth soccer league and a middle school entrepreneurship camp. Looking back, it seems absurd to allow a teenager to run around trying to spearhead anything with economic impact. But that's just it: I was free to try...with trial, error and experience. I was an equal. The outcome a value-added student better connected to both the local economy and local leadership.
It's these things that have shaped my life objective. How do we retain young people to rural America? It's simple: make those who will make a difference tomorrow feel valued today.
Below are mine and Jordyn's "Top 3" recommendations on how to engage youth to feel valued in your community.
- Ask students to return home. How many towns are connecting with students on a level that communicates they are valued at home? The vitality of your community rests on bringing a percentage of your high school graduates back. Are we chasing off our youth? Don't let negative community voices leave a bitter taste with youth. Get into the classrooms, the local Future Farmers of America meetings, and tell students what they do matters. I believe more than ever that my generation is sincerely searching for self-worth and purpose.
- Provide opportunity for students to learn about career and business opportunities. Until students are able to understand the economics and "behind the scenes" of a community, they won't be able to appreciate it. Each business has its own opportunity that must be heard. Most students don't understand what economic development is, but when I recognized in depth and intricacy of my community, I was blown away. Career and business opportunity lies in the presentation of potential. America gets its economic engine moving again when more people start taking a chance.
- Engage youth in community projects. Creating youth ownership is one of the most difficult feats because it requires risk and flexibility. Take a moment to reflect on the times in your life when you were a part of something bigger than yourself that you had a hand in creating. Without being able to act as an equal in their communities, students are unable to attain this satisfaction. It's more than asking youth to attend a city-council meeting, it's encouraging them to take on an event, start a soccer league, or giving them the opportunity of ownership.
I encourage you to consider and act upon the recommendations
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Craig Schroeder
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Haley has shared with you. All three fit very well into the integrated Youth Engagement System we encourage communities to use:
- Entrepreneurship Education and Career Development
- Youth Leadership and Community Service
- Adult Mentoring and Community Investment in Youth Enterprises
Look for the next issue when Jordyn Lechtenberg will share her unique perspectives on this topic!
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 | Free Webinar Offer |
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Jordyn Lechtenberg
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Haley and Jordyn will be hosting a free interactive webinar at noon on April, 23 to share more practical tips for involving young people in creating the future of your community! To register, please click here. |
| Five ideas to involve young adults | On March 27th at Noon Central, Nicole Sedlacek, Economic Development Director for Holt County, NE will share five great ideas for successfully involving young adults based upon a decade of work and great success in attracting young families back home and getting them engaged as active citizens and leaders.This webinar is free to the first 50 people who register, so click here now to get signed up! This is an opportunity to learn from someone who has been successful and is willing to share her best ideas. Don't miss it!
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