The Family Dinner Project works with dozens of organizations across the country, bringing our resources to life in communities through a variety of creative programs. Since August 2026, we’ve been partnering with NorthStar in Nebraska to enhance their nightly meals with students in their after-school programs. We’re inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm the NorthStar staff has brought to the project, and look forward to continuing our relationship as their program expands!
The Program
NorthStar is an after-school program serving boys in grades 3–12 throughout the North Omaha, Nebraska community. Students participate in a variety of academic, athletic, adventure, and arts-based programming. NorthStar also provides students with a meal each evening.
Program Success Coordinator Jacob Mordhorst says, “We introduced The Family Dinner Project to make this time more intentional and foster a stronger sense of belonging among our students.” During the NorthStar dinners, staff facilitate Family Dinner Project activities that encourage games, conversation, relationship-building, and meaningful connection.
Jacob shares that “Our biggest challenge has been helping students see dinner as an intentional time to connect rather than an opportunity to focus on their devices.” To combat the lure of technology, NorthStar staff have been trained to lead the dinner games and activities provided by The Family Dinner Project, and to actively participate alongside students during dinner. They emphasize to the students that eating together is a chance to build belonging and strengthen their community.
April Knipp, the Senior Program Success Manager, sees improvement. “The Family Dinner Project easily aligns with our mission at NorthStar,” she says. “The amount of engagement during dinner time has greatly increased. It’s awesome to see where their conversations go!” The NorthStar staff say they intend to continue with the dinner programming, and hope to expand it to the broader community through parent education and providing resources to help families replicate The Family Dinner Project at home.
The Best Part
“The biggest win has been seeing the positive change during dinner each night,” Jacob says. “Tables are more lively, conversations are more engaging, and the cafeteria is filled with energy. Dinner has evolved from simply another part of the schedule into an event that students and staff look forward to each evening.”
Would you like to learn more about bringing The Family Dinner Project to your community? Contact us!
