Hometown Intern – Jacy Hafer

Name: Jacy Hafer
Hometown: Long Pine, NE
Affiliated Fund: Brown County Community Foundation Fund
College: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Why were you interested in this internship opportunity?
I was interested in this internship because I currently wish to pursue a career that deals with rural development, human resources, and community outreach. This was also a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get hands-on experience while living at home.

What projects are you working on this summer for your affiliated fund?
This summer my co-intern and I had an overall goal of community engagement and building connections. First off, we surveyed all of the high school kids in our community about their thoughts on living, working, and raising a family in our area. We presented this survey to several different community entities as a planning strategy on how we can retain more young people in our county. We have also been working on boosting our social media presence so that the community can actively see the impact our affiliated fund is making. Additionally, we have been creating video and articles to highlight the assets our community has to offer. Lastly, we have been networking with several community organizations in the hopes of making community partnerships towards common goals easier in the future.

What do you appreciate most about your hometown?
What I appreciate most about my hometown is everyone’s work ethic, generosity, and supportiveness. No matter what, this community is willing to band together and sacrifice for the greater good.

How does it feel to be able to give back to your community?
Giving back to my community has been incredible and so inspiring. I never expected to receive so much support from people in our community and state. This opportunity has really reaffirmed to me how passionate I am about investing my time in the future of rural Nebraska.

What excites you the most when you think about the future of your community?
What excites me most about the future of my community is that we are actively planning and taking steps towards our goals. When you remain positive and proactive, anything is possible!

What characteristics do you look for in a place to call home? Why?
For me, the characteristics I look for in a place to call home are welcoming, family oriented, and safe. Of course other things such as job opportunities and housing are crucial but, for me, when it comes down to it, home is where the heart is and the rest you will find a way to make fall into place.

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