Submitted

LENORA — The “Nex-Generation” name is no stranger to northwest Kansas. In 2011, Nex-Tech formed a youth services department and branded the Nex-Generation title to its many student-centered services. Recognizing the out-migration of youth and its future economic impact, Nex-Tech worked to develop a sustainable solution.

In 2014, and with IRS approval, the company helped form a new, nonprofit organization that will focus on youth retention strategies for the entire northwest and north central Kansas region: Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, Inc.

As a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, Inc., is designed to fund, promote and support educational projects, scholarships and community programs focused on youth.
The organization operates under the direction of Executive Director Jacque Beckman of Lenora and a three-member Board: Rhonda Goddard, Nex-Tech’s Chief Financial Officer; Robert Muirhead, Midwest Energy’s Director of Community and Economic Development; and Scott Sproul, Executive Director of Norton City/County Economic Development.

Funding of Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth and its programs is made possible through grants, individual donations and round-up contributions through partnering businesses.

Beckman said Nex-Generation promotes a variety of youth-centric programs, including career development and entrepreneurship; internships and work-study; digital citizenship and Internet safety; and scholarships.

Nex-Generation works with local economic development offices, chambers of commerce, and schools to educate students about career opportunities within their communities.

“Some of our goals include providing summer internships for students within their local communities; scholarships for higher education; return-to-community incentives; and other programs that provide students with hands-on experience in business, entrepreneurship and other key areas,” Beckman added.
“Contributing to Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth is making a personal investment: an investment in your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; your nieces and nephews; and, ultimately, your own community, your businesses, your schools, your parks, your livelihood, your future,” Beckman said. “With this in mind, we hope many businesses and individuals will commit to helping with this investment. By partnering with Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, Inc., you can help support projects that ensure the growth and sustainability of our small, rural communities into the future.”

For more information about Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth Inc., visit www.nex-tech.com/nex-generation, email at [email protected], or call (877) 567-7872, Ext. 1170.