North Platte Mayor Recognizes Community Connection's Mentor, Steven Heinzle, as the 2025 Mentor of the Year
North Platte Mayor Recognizes Community Connection's Mentor, Steven Heinzle, as the 2025 Mentor of the Year

At the June 17th North Platte City Council meeting, Mayor Kelliher gave recognition to Community Connections Mentor and 2025 Mentor of the Year. In April, MENTOR Nebraska announced Steven Heinzle as the recipient of the 2025 Mentor of the Year award, for his remarkable 25-year commitment to youth mentorship in Nebraska.MENTOR Nebraska announced Steven Heinzle as the recipient of the 2025 Mentor of the Year award, recognizing his remarkable 25-year commitment to youth mentorship in Nebraska. Steve began his mentoring journey with Community Connections in North Platte after learning about the program during his time in the NP Jaycees and has since become a cornerstone of the mentoring community. Over the past two and a half decades, Steve has mentored nine youth through the program — many of those matches lasting well beyond the one-year commitment typically required. His mentees speak highly of the positive and lasting impact Steve has had on their lives, sharing stories of how his presence gave them someone to talk to when they needed it most. From meaningful conversations to fun outings and mentoring program activities, Steve offered his time, care, and consistency — a true mentor in every sense.

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CC Mentoring
Community Connections spreading awareness of narcan and how it can save lives
Community Connections spreading awareness of narcan and how it can save lives

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Since the COVID-19 pandemic, overdose deaths in the Untied States have jumped to over 90,000. Before the pandemic, the numbers ranged from 40,000 to 70,000.

It’s estimated by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention that 80% of overdoses occur inside a home. With the help of prescription called Narcan, being widely available it can help save lives. But what is Narcan exactly? Well Community Connections substance abuse prevention system coordinator Meaghan Wade breaks down what Narcan is and what it does.

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Elizabeth Woods
Community Connections Mentor, Jason Merz, recognized in the 2022 Excellence in Mentoring Awards
Community Connections Mentor, Jason Merz, recognized in the 2022 Excellence in Mentoring Awards

Mentor Nebraska hosted their Excellence in Mentoring Awards which recognized individuals for their work mentoring youth in their respected communities. Angela Hipp with Community Connections is the 2022 Mentoring Practitioner of the year. Jason Merz is a mentor in the Community Connection mentoring program who was awarded the 2022 Mentor of the Year Award at the Excellence in Mentoring award ceremony.

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CC Mentoring