Heartland Family Service Student League Graduates 54

The families of the Heartland Family Service’ (heartlandfamilyservice.org) 2016-17 Student League celebrated graduation on Sunday, April 2 at Happy Hollow Club.

Heartland Family Service Friends Guild created the Student League to help families who actively support the social service community and who want to pass on that legacy to their children. Student League participants gain practical leadership experience and develop a personal commitment to volunteering through the mission and programs of Heartland Family Service (HFS).

This year’s 54 students attended educational and service events from September through April for a total of 721 volunteer hours. Events included a session with the HFS grant team, where they wrote and presented a grant to a selection committee. They also participated in a poverty simulation and learned how to live on minimum-wage income and navigate government assistance programs.

Students attended small group events which included holiday parties at the Generations Center, Family Works or Youth Links, as well as sorting items at the Sarpy Donation Center and domestic violence interactive activities that taught how HFS programs help survivors along the path toward healing.

2016-17 Student League Committee Members: Kristie Stienike, Chairman; Kjirsten Finnegan, Cindy Hanley, Teresa Johns, Kym Skretta and Colleen Woodward.