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D2 Center

Meet the D2 Center Staff: Jesi DeWitt, Youth Academic Navigator (YAN)

by | Jun 13, 2018 | General, Meet the Staff

We have a couple of new hires at the D2 Center, so our “Meet the Staff” series is back! Please take a moment to get to know Jesi DeWitt, one of our YANs. And you can learn about other D2 Center staff on our Meet the Staff blog page.

What’s your role at the D2 Center?
Youth Academic Navigator

How long have you worked at the D2 Center?
I started in March of 2018 and have been at the D2 Center for about 2 months.

Tell me about your education.
I graduated from Garden County High school (a very small town in Western Nebraska). I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Family Science with minors in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

What is your professional background?
I started my career as a protection and safety worker and juvenile services officer. Through this work I saw the importance of education in youth achieving their potential and successfully transitioning to independence. I knew from that experience I wanted to focus on education in working with youth! Prior to the D2 Center I worked for 12 years in a high school in Lincoln doing truancy intervention work with students and families.

Why were you interested in working at the D2 Center?
My work at the high school helped me see the importance of consistent, supportive adult relationships in a youth’s life. One of the biggest barriers to working in a high school was that the relationship/support typically ended when a student left the building. I was drawn to the D2 Center due to their community-based focus and the ability to extend that support and encouragement to meet the youth where they are and where they need it the most.

What’s your favorite thing about working at the D2 Center?
The ability to get to know youth and help them navigate a path toward their long-term goals. Every youth that is served through D2 Center is unique, has their own story and more importantly has something to offer to their community! I am thankful to be a part of helping them realize their own potential and achieve their goals.

Tell me about your family.
I live here in Omaha with my wife Julie, our dog Warner and cat Stewart. We are thankful to have our family within driving distance including our 9 nieces and nephews.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy being outside running, biking and hiking! I love spending time with friends and family playing cards and Bocce ball.

About Carolyn

Carolyn Miller is one of the directors of the D2 Center. She is a graduate of Omaha Northwest High School and the University of Iowa. Carolyn has been with the D2 Center since 2010.

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