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Empowering Our Future: Highlights from the 2024 EmPOWER Youth Summit

Nov 27, 2024
News

The 2024 EmPOWER Youth Summit brought together 540 high school students for a day of inspiration, education, and connection focused on mental wellness, self-care, and self-love. Students from 37 schools across the Metro area gathered to engage in meaningful discussions and activities designed to empower them in advocating for their own well-being and supporting others.

Keynote Speaker & Performances
The summit kicked off with an impactful keynote address by Marquis Hill, who shared powerful insights on the importance of self-love and mental health. Students were also treated to performances by Notorious Cree, whose cultural dance moves and storytelling captivated the audience, and the local legend Jocelyn, who added her musical touch to the day’s celebrations.

Engaging Breakout Sessions
In addition to the inspiring performances, students participated in four enriching breakout sessions:

  • The Power of Presence by Project Harmony, focusing on how being present, engaged, and hopeful can positively impact mental health.
  • The Power of Empathy by Hope Squads from Westside, Bellevue West, and Creighton Prep, exploring how empathy fosters stronger connections and emotional resilience.
  • The Power of Change by UNO’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work, which highlighted the importance of creating lasting change through social awareness and action.
  • The Power of Finding Joy, featuring Pups With a Purpose, along with resource booths from over 30 youth-serving organizations, emphasizing the importance of joy and self-care in maintaining mental health.

By the end of the day, students walked away with a stronger sense of how to advocate for themselves and others, equipped with tools to maintain positive mental health and support their peers.

Gratitude to Our Sponsors
The summit would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors:

  • Region 6
  • Cox Communications
  • Baxter Auto
  • Play for Paige 33
  • Children’s Nebraska
  • Boys Town National Hotline
  • Pups With a Purpose
  • Hope Squad
  • Project Harmony
  • Grace Abbott School of Social Work
  • The Jack Meehan Annual Kickball Tournament
  • R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

We are deeply grateful for their commitment to empowering youth and supporting mental wellness in our community.

Molly Woodman

Molly Woodman is the Engagement Specialist at The Kim Foundation. Born and raised in Omaha, she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from UNO. Molly spent fourteen years as the Director of Admissions and Recruitment at an area private high school. Her passion for public speaking and mental health advocacy led her to The Kim Foundation in August of 2022. Molly manages the foundation’s communication efforts and social media accounts, sits on the steering committee for the Metro Area Suicide Prevention Coalition, and provides mental health awareness and suicide prevention education to the community through the Encouraging Hope presentations. Molly is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid and a certified instructor for Adult Mental Health First Aid. When she’s not working, she loves spending time being silly with her husband and four kids!