Leadership Kearney

10/15/2026

💪Strengths in Action with Youth Leadership Kearney! 🌟

Our YLK students just completed a three-session CliftonStrengths program led by Brenda Jochum. Through thoughtful conversations and reflection, they explored their unique strengths and discussed how to apply them in leadership, relationships, and everyday life. Their engagement and self-awareness were inspiring.

👉If you’d like to learn more about student programs, coaching, or strengths-based experiences for teams and organizations, reach out to Brenda — she’d love to connect!

Brenda Jochum
Coach | Speaker | Facilitator
Connectedness | Responsibility | Ideation | Belief | Learner | Activator
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.strengthsconnection.net

Thank you to our CliftonStrengths sponsor, Brenda! 👏

📖 Read the full recap: https://www.leadershipkearney.com/post/youth-leadership-kearney-strengths-in-action

What a meaningful three-session program provided by Brenda Jochum, supporting the incredible students of Youth Leadership Kearney! The students participated in thoughtful conversations, explored their CliftonStrengths results, and the students actively recognized and embraced their unique strengths....

10/13/2026

🎉 Raffle winners from Take the S.A.F.E. Bet! 🎲💜

Congratulations to our raffle winners! Thank you to everyone who took a chance to support the S.A.F.E. Center at the Leadership Kearney Class #34 Fundraiser. Here’s who walked away with prizes:

🎟️ Kearney Area Children’s Museum Membership: Abigail Douglas
🎟️ Go Physical Therapy Theragun: Mick Ireson
🎟️ Grand Island Casino Package: Rita Uldrich
🎟️ UNK Athletics Gear: Hope Graves
🎟️ Sporting Edge Gear: Kevin McConnell
🎟️ Contryman Associates Tumbler & Gift Card: Stephanie Berry
🎟️ Nest:Space Day Passes: Melody Bellamy
🎟️ Nebraska Dunes Round for Four: Ben Trampe

Congratulations, winners! 🎊 And a big thank you to the generous sponsors who donated these prizes. Please show them some love and support them when you can.

You bet on us, and you bet on a safer Kearney! 💜

10/13/2026

Way to go Class #34!

A big thank you to Leadership Kearney Class 34 for turning teamwork, creativity, and community spirit into meaningful support for The S.A.F.E. Center!

Over the past several months, this group has put in the time and effort to plan and carry out a fundraising project benefiting our organization. From organizing a raffle to bringing the fun to UNK Homecoming with tailgating activities, they found creative ways to bring people together for a good cause.

And their hard work paid off! Together with the support of our community, they raised an incredible $3,200 for The S.A.F.E. Center!

We are grateful not only for the generous donation, but for the time, energy, and enthusiasm this group invested in our mission. It's encouraging to see emerging community leaders put what they're learning into action in ways that make a real difference.

Thank you, Leadership Kearney Class 34, and everyone who supported their efforts! We appreciate you!

10/12/2026

Thank you to our Take the S.A.F.E. Bet sponsors! 💜🎲

Leadership Kearney Class #34 is so grateful to the businesses and organizations that stepped up to support our fundraiser benefiting the S.A.F.E. Center. Because of your generosity, we’re helping the S.A.F.E. Center continue its mission to empower, support, and educate our community.

A huge thank you to:

🎰 Usher Media Group
🎰 Un;Inebriated Social Bottle Shop
🎰 Cash-Wa Distributing
🎰 Expression Wear
🎰 Go Physical Therapy
🎰 Nest:Space
🎰 Kearney Area Children’s Museum
🎰 Gabriel, Burger & Else, Certified Public Accountants
🎰 Nebraska Dunes
🎰 University of Nebraska Kearney Athletic Department
🎰 Grand Island Casino Resort
🎰 Sporting Edge
🎰 Contryman Associates, P.C., Certified Public Accountants

You bet on us, and you bet on a safer Kearney. We couldn’t have done it without you! Please show these sponsors some love and support them when you can.

10/01/2026

Leadership Kearney Class #34 is holding a fundraiser to support the S.A.F.E. Center of Kearney! This event is open to the public, but will also be a great opportunity to network with Leadership Kearney Alumni and current Leadership Kearney class members.

We want to invite you to visit our parade and tailgate events to enjoy food, fun, and to support the S.A.F.E. Center!

UNK Homecoming - Parade
⏰ Oct 3rd | 10 AM – 12 PM
📍 Downtown Kearney | Booth Set-Up Outside Un:Inebriated
2102 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847

UNK Homecoming Football Tailgate
⏰ Oct 3rd | 11 AM – 2 PM (Look for the Cash-WA Tailgate)
📍 Loperville (Outside Cope Stadium)

If you can’t make it to the tailgate or want to donate before the event, scan the QR code or make your donation with this LINK: https://safecenter.ejoinme.org/.

**Please select LK #34 Fundraiser at checkout!**

Every donation made on the S.A.F.E. Center's donation site enters you into our raffle for prizes like a one-night Grand Island Casino stay, UNK gear, a Kearney Area Children’s Museum membership, Day Passes to Nest:Space, a round of golf at Nebraska Dunes, a Theragun, and Sporting Edge gear, plus a few more!

Thank you for taking the S.A.F.E. Bet!

-LK Class #34 and the LK Engagement Committee

09/24/2026

Shape the Future: Join Youth Leadership Kearney! 🌟

Calling all Kearney high school students! Are you ready to build connections, gain real-world experience, and sharpen your leadership skills?

Youth Leadership Kearney (YLK) is open to students starting as juniors and graduating in the fall of their senior year.

What they'll do: Connect with community leaders, take part in interactive session days covering local business and government, and complete a hands-on volunteer project.

Application & Tuition: Applying is free for all Kearney students. Selected participants have a $300 tuition fee, which students secure through sponsorships before January Orientation.

📲 Ready to start your leadership journey? Click the link here to apply or send to someone you know: https://linktr.ee/ylkearney?utm_source=qr_code

09/21/2026

Exploring the careers that build the health science field! 🩺🔬

Youth Leadership Kearney Class #32 took a deep dive into local healthcare during their September session! Here’s where the day took them:

🔹 Hands-on OT/PT demonstrations at New West Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation Center

🔹 Medical case escape rooms & simulation labs at UNMC Health Science Education Center

🔹 Behind-the-scenes tours of Radiology, Cath Lab, EMS, and the ER at Good Samaritan Hospital

Seeing the incredible resources and career pathways available right here in Kearney is inspiring! 💡

Read the full YLK Class #32 September Session recap:
https://www.leadershipkearney.com/post/ylk-class-32-september-session

Youth Leadership Kearney Class #32 experienced the careers that build the Health Science field. We started our day at New West Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation Center. During this time, we heard from a panel of professionals from the PT, OT, and speech departments. These professionals shared abo...

09/16/2026

Leadership Kearney Class #35 recently attended their retreat session at Comeca Camp and Retreat Center! The two-day retreat experience was filled with opportunities for professional and personal development, meaningful connections, and plenty of fun along the way.

From learning and growing together to building relationships and making memories, Class #35 made the most of their time together.
Read more about their retreat experience here:
https://www.leadershipkearney.com/post/leadership-kearney-class-35-september-retreat-session

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make these two days both informative and enjoyable! Leadership Kearney is grateful for the time, energy, and support that went into making this experience possible.

09/15/2026

Applications are now open for Youth Leadership Kearney Class 33! Visit https://www.leadershipkearney.com/youth-leadership-kearney for more information!!!

08/25/2026

YLK Ag & Industry Day 🌽⚡

Youth Leadership Kearney Class #32 had an incredible day last week exploring the people, businesses, and industries that help power our community and state!

From learning about potato production at CSS Farms and innovative soil testing at Ward Laboratories, to seeing manufacturing at Parker, farmland appraisals at Agri Affiliates, seed technology at Bayer, and Nebraska’s energy system at NPPD, the students got a firsthand look at the many career opportunities right here in Kearney.

Along the way, they heard stories about perseverance, innovation, leadership, and the importance of hard work.

We’re grateful to all of the businesses and community leaders who opened their doors and shared their expertise with the next generation of leaders! 👏

Read the full YLK Class #32 August Session recap: https://www.leadershipkearney.com/post/ylk-class-32-august-session