Avenue Scholars

Avenue Scholars Leading Omaha’s young people from classrooms to careers. Governing Values

Integrity: We are consistent, dependable, and honest about who we are and what we do.

The Avenue Scholars program was an idea generated in 2008 by a group of Omaha philanthropists to help students of hope and need advance through a successful post-secondary experience to a meaningful career. Their idea has become a reality with the Avenue Scholars Foundation helping over 600 students along this path. Innovation: We implement dynamic programming that facilitates the growth and devel

opment of our students and the community. Collaboration: We create a culture of mutual trust, open dialogue, and positive results. Respect: We value others and promote their success. Hope: We focus on strengths and opportunities rather than obstacles.

06/03/2026

Happy Workiversary to Blake!

Blake has been guiding the messaging of Avenue Scholars for one whole year now.

In that short time he has been leveling up the organization’s communication, brand, content and community involvement to new heights, especially sharing of our Scholars stories in new and creative ways.

Having previously been a newspaper reporter, Blake loves telling our Scholars’ stories of success and documenting the impact of Avenue Scholars: “Any organization that’s out there in the community doing something that helps build up the community, that’s a story that’s worth telling,” he said. “And that’s what I love about it. There’s so many cool things, so many inspiring young people that we work with.”

Blake has lived in Omaha for 11 years now, and he enjoys biking along the many trails in the area. His Associated Press stylebook (in many editions) has remained on his desk throughout his career, lit by the ambient lamps he uses to offset fluorescent lighting and give his workspace a chill vibe.

Thank you, Blake, for communicating the organization’s progress and — most importantly — our Scholars’ journeys.

Say hello to our Scholars on day one of Boot Camp! 👋Scholars are building their confidence and future careers this month...
06/02/2026

Say hello to our Scholars on day one of Boot Camp! 👋

Scholars are building their confidence and future careers this month at our annual summer Boot Camp program. ☀️🥾🎒

Four groups of Scholars are getting hands-on experience in three high-demand fields: 🚗 transportation, 🛠️ the skilled trades, and 🏥 healthcare.

They’ll visit local businesses, practice their skills, and gain real-world knowledge from professionals, industry leaders, and community experts. By the end, they’ll be more confident in themselves and their plan for their future.

Huge thank you to all of our community partners, including Metropolitan Community College (Nebraska) and Clarkson College who are pouring their time, resources, and expertise into our Scholars to make this possible.



Whether it’s “Stayin Alive” or “Uptown Funk,” that rhythm could help save a life! 🎶❤️🫀👐 After a few recent sessions host...
05/30/2026

Whether it’s “Stayin Alive” or “Uptown Funk,” that rhythm could help save a life! 🎶❤️🫀👐

After a few recent sessions hosted at our office, 12 Scholars are now CPR/BLS certified and ready to promptly recognize emergencies and give high-quality CPR and basic life support.

This is an essential step for many Scholars working toward their CNA certification or similar medical careers. It’s also a great skill for anyone to know, to make a real difference before emergency medical help arrives.

As one Scholar participant noted, “This could save someone’s life and it’s important to know what you’re doing.”

We’re so happy to be able to host small, but pivotal sessions like this that reflect our commitment to providing skills training opportunities for our Scholars to succeed in their future career.

This Scholar is sending sparks flying behind him, advancing his welding career at record speed. Since graduating from Pa...
05/28/2026

This Scholar is sending sparks flying behind him, advancing his welding career at record speed.

Since graduating from Papillion La Vista High School in 2025, Dawson C. has been working as a welder while completing his Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Welding Technology at Metropolitan Community College (Nebraska).

In just over a year of balancing work and school, dedication to his craft has paid off: This summer, he earned a promotion to the level of journeyman welder. This is a rare feat in the field this early in a career — reaching journeyman level requires a combination of certifications from classes and 6,000 to 8,000 hours of labor.

After finishing his welding degree at MCC this summer, he wants to explore other degrees and classes to learn more about related fields, like machining, to expand his skillset.

In the skilled trades, Dawson said, "it’s never bad to have a whole bunch of different kinds of knowledge."

05/27/2026

Even on summer break our Scholars are working hard. Internships are starting for nearly 30 Scholars over the next few weeks.

From skilled trades to education, Avenue Scholars works with local business partners to help provide dedicated internship opportunities for Scholars in the program. For many, it’s their first job!

Scholars work with our staff and their Career Coaches to prep for their internship, and we check in throughout to make sure things are running smoothly for the Scholar and their employer.

Learn more about our internship program from Business Outreach Coordinator Bayly Marie Wise!

05/25/2026

Happy Workiversary to Marcus!

Marcus Manley has brought his skill, sense of humor, and “chaos energy” to Avenue Scholars for five years.

“I say that I bring a lot of chaos, but as a High School Career Coach I run a classroom at Millard North where I help students better prepare for their futures, both in their career and their personal life,” he said. “In addition to that, I like to think I do it in a fun way, so that’s where the chaos comes in, and so I sort of let them lead their own path.”

Having previously been a Career Services Coach, Marcus loves watching Scholars transition from high school to post-grad life. With that journey in mind, he helps his high school Scholars prepare for the next chapter.

Marcus doesn’t let the coaching end there. He also coaches high school theater and speech, and does shows at the Lofte Community Theatre. When he’s not spending time with his two cats at home in Louisville, he enjoys running outdoors and often participates in half marathons.

Thank you for always brightening our day at Avenue Scholars, Marcus!

Congratulations to all of our graduating high school Scholars! 👏It's been an incredible year for them and our High Schoo...
05/18/2026

Congratulations to all of our graduating high school Scholars! 👏

It's been an incredible year for them and our High School Team. Our Coaches each held a class celebration to recognize their hard-earned achievement and give them their certification of completion for the high school phase of the Avenue Scholars program.

But our work with them won’t end here. We’ll work with them until they land their first job, coaching them up for even more success as they enter the workforce.

Follow to see what these Scholars accomplish next!

Happy Workiversary to our CEO, Lindsay Decker! Lindsay has been with Avenue Scholars for seven years and has served as C...
05/15/2026

Happy Workiversary to our CEO, Lindsay Decker!

Lindsay has been with Avenue Scholars for seven years and has served as CEO for the last two. She’s responsible for setting the program’s strategic direction, oversees fundraising efforts, and works with key community partners to help build our capacity to serve Scholars.

“I see my mission as leading an organization where young talent is recognized, nurtured, and prepared for the workforce in a holistic way,” Lindsay said.

In addition to her work at Avenue Scholars, Lindsay teaches free community yoga classes at locations around town, including North Omaha’s Highlander Accelerator.

Thank you for all you do for Avenue Scholars, Lindsay! We’ll spotlight more of our staff on their workiversaries throughout the year.

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2121 N. 117th Avenue, Suite 220
Omaha, NE
68164

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