Heartland Family Service Student League Program Kicks Off

The Heartland Family Service (heartlandfamilyservice.org) 2016-17 Student League class kicked off the year with an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, Sept. 25 at Happy Hollow Club. Student League, a program of the Heartland Family Service Friends Guild, was created to honor families who have been active in helping the social service community and who want to pass on that legacy to their children. Student League members are introduced to the social service community through the mission and programs of Heartland Family Service. The students gain practical leadership experience and develop a personal commitment to volunteering by participating in this hands-on volunteer experience.

Each of this year’s 54 students will attend five large group events and at least five small group events from September through April for a total of about 20 volunteer hours per student. Large group events include a session with grant writers, during which the students will choose a program to write a grant for and then present to the Board of Directors, and also a poverty simulation, for which students will simulate living on minimum-wage income and learn what it’s like to navigate government assistance programs. Options for small groups include holiday parties at the Generations Center, Family Works or Youth Links, as well as sorting items at the Sarpy Donation Center and two domestic violence interactive activities that teach what it is like to be in an abusive relationship and how Heartland Family Service programs help survivors along the path toward healing.

Kristie Stienike is the chairman for the 2016-17 Student League. Other committee members are Kjirsten Finnegan, Cindy Hanley, Teresa Johns, Kym Skretta and Colleen Woodward.

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