A Place to Belong | Youth Spotlight

For Nate, boxing is more than a sport. It’s a reminder of what’s possible.

Nate’s love of boxing began with his grandfather, who gave him his first pair of gloves along with the nickname “Bullethead”—a name Nate still carries with him every time he steps into the ring. His grandfather’s words continue to guide him today: “If you’re going to do something, don’t do it 50%. Do it with 110%.”

It is that determination that has carried Nate through some of life’s hardest moments. After coming to Omaha, he found himself without a place to stay, unsure where he would sleep or how he would get by.

“Before YES, I was wondering where I was going to sleep, how I was gonna eat. It was hard,” Nate says.

Eventually, he was referred to Youth Emergency Services (YES). That’s where everything got better.

At YES, Nate found more than a roof over his head. He found stability, encouragement and people who believe in him.

“Since I’ve been here, it’s been better,” Nate says. “Everywhere I go at YES, I feel like I have a friend.”

With support from caring staff, Nate is focused on building the future he wants: working toward finding a job, continuing to train at the boxing gym, and taking steps toward independence.

“YES is a good place, very nurturing. If you’re going through something, they will be there for you. They will help you.”

Every young person’s journey home looks different. Sometimes it’s a safe place to sleep. Sometimes it’s people who listen without judgment. Sometimes it’s having the stability to chase a dream that once felt out of reach.

For Nate, finding home means carrying forward the belief his grandfather had in him—and knowing he has people cheering him on along the way.

“I think about Grandpa every day,” Nate says. “Some people leave marks in your life. With boxing… I’m doing it because I know I’m going to leave a mark like him.”