Success Stories
Bravery:
Hannah's Story
Hannah grew up in a home with little stability—no running water, scarce food and responsibilities no 13-year-old should bear. Life was overwhelming until she found Boys Town, a place that offered her the safety and support she desperately needed.
With the guidance of her Family-Teachers, who became like parents to her, Hannah grew from a shy, reserved teen into a confident leader.
Today, she’s breaking barriers as the first in her family to attend college, studying nursing through a prestigious program that will earn her dual degrees. Boys Town’s Successful Futures program continues to support her on this journey, providing guidance with tuition, securing her first car and ensuring she has the resources she needs to thrive.
Watch Hannah’s story to see how Boys Town helped her embrace her potential and build a bright future.
Watch Hannah's Story
I was living in a house with really no stability. Half the time we didn't really have like the running water and food and stuff we needed. So it was just a lot of not super great things. I'm running a household at 13 until I came to Boys Town. You know, it was a place I needed to go. I needed somewhere safe to be. And that was a place that was open and said that they'd be willing to take care of me and kept me safe during a time when other people couldn't.
Hannah was a little bit shy, kind of reserved, and didn't really want to put herself out there and just kind of stuck to herself a lot. Over time, though, like she really came out of her shell. We worked with her on like being a proper girl model, also on like helping build her peers up and not just worrying about herself only. She was a really nice addition to the family. So my family and teachers, they're just like my parents. They're always there. When I can call them, I text them.
They just, they always support me in everything I do. Being at Boys Town helped me to kind of open up a little bit. I was on the flags team. I was on the chess team. I was the lead in the play two years running. Hannah is without a doubt part of our family and our kids love her. They love when she calls and gets to, you know, talk to them.
And then when she visits and we get to see her, our kids are just like head over heels. I always wanted to come to Hastings College. I did a tour here when I was a freshman and I loved it. I thought it was so pretty. I'm studying nursing, so I'm in the three-in-one program. So three years here at Hastings College, one year at Creighton College of Nursing, and I'll get two degrees. I love it.
I mean, it's busy. I'm definitely working hard in my classes. We knew what she was capable of when she left here. And, but to see her just like take full charge of the that and like grab the bull by the horns and just like go after it has been just phenomenal. The Successful Futures program has been phenomenal and their extra layer of support. The fact that Boys Town has taken on this program has been awesome because we've seen a lot of real success with our kids because of that program. And so they make sure that nothing goes to the cracks.
I talked to Successful Futures. They're actually helping me get a car. Any questions I have about tuition, they're always helpful to answer. I really feel like we're seeing big, big changes in the outcomes of kids post-graduation with that. My big plan, I would love to go into psych nursing. That's where I work now as a CNA. I love doing it, but I'd like to just give back to an area that I had to utilize once in my life.
I mean, Boys Town means to me pretty much everything. I mean, they've gotten me through like the hardest things in my life. They've been there no matter what. Boys Town is amazing.
