2024-2025
Annual Report
OUR MISSION
We are committed to bridging the gap between education and business, guaranteeing careers for our youth of hope and need through supportive relationships, individualized coaching, education, and training.
Talent by the Numbers: A Year of Results and Resilience
This past year has been defined by meaningful student success and powerful outcomes at Avenue Scholars Des Moines. Our scholars continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and drive: the Class of 2025 achieved a 99% on-time graduation rate, 82% earned a 2.5 GPA or higher, and 90% gained real work experience while still in high school. Through hands-on exploration and work-based learning, students stepped into transformative opportunities across healthcare, skilled trades, and other high-demand fields—connecting what they learn in the classroom to what’s possible in their futures.
Our program continues to grow in both reach and impact. Today, we are walking alongside 350 students in our high school and postsecondary programs. Every week, more of our scholars make the exciting transition to “alum,” securing full-time, career-aligned employment that provides a livable wage, benefits, and long-term stability. These are young people moving confidently toward economic independence—and reshaping the talent landscape of our community.
This work matters. These outcomes are real. And none of it would be possible without the partners, employers, donors, and advocates who believe in the promise of our students. Your investment fuels coaching, career exploration, transportation support, emergency assistance, and the relational work that helps students stay the course when life gets complicated.
Together, we are not only preparing young people for the workforce—we are building a stronger, more vibrant, and more equitable Des Moines.
Your partner in talent,
Noelle Nelson
Noelle Nelson, Executive Director
A Year in Review
Frehiwot
Postsecondary Avenue Scholar and Future Nurse
"Starting my freshman year of high school, I discovered how much I enjoyed and excelled in my science classes. That interest pushed me to explore the healthcare field, which led me to become a CNA. One of my favorite parts of being a CNA is seeing the difference I can make in someone’s life through care, compassion, and everyday support. Becoming a nurse will allow me to continue making that impact on a deeper level while growing in a profession I truly care about."
Meet Frehiwot, a postsecondary Avenue Scholar and future nurse. Originally from Eritrea (country in East Africa), she moved to Iowa in middle school and worked incredibly hard to learn English while excelling academically and maintaining 100% attendance. Despite the challenges of adjusting to a new country, Frehiwot has stayed deeply connected to her culture and heritage.
From the moment she joined Avenue Scholars, Frehiwot knew she wanted to pursue nursing. She earned her CNA license as a junior through Central Campus and has now been working at Wesley on Grand for over two years — where residents lovingly call her Fe Fe.
After graduating from Roosevelt in 2025, Frehiwot began completing her nursing prerequisites at DMACC while continuing to work and taking additional courses through StraighterLine. Her goal is to transfer to Mercy College and complete an accelerated BSN in 2026 — and if anyone can do it, Frehiwot can.
Avenue Scholars has helped open doors through business and higher education connections, but it’s Frehiwot’s dedication, hard work, and heart for others that will carry her into her nursing career. She hopes to serve people from all backgrounds and ensure everyone has access to compassionate, equitable healthcare.
Keith
East High School Senior
Keith is thriving in our vending machine internship program, gaining real-world business experience and mentorship from senior leaders at The Wittern Group.
Keith with Art Wittern
Keith is a highly driven student whose accomplishments speak for themselves. Not only is he on track to graduate on time — he has already earned enough college credits to be considered a college junior while still in high school.
His academic journey is impressive and diverse, from Culinary Arts at Central Campus to discovering a new passion for welding, where he is now building his skills through hands-on classes. This past summer, he also joined Forest Avenue Outreach, exploring even more opportunities in the skilled trades.
We can’t wait to see where his determination and hard work take him next!
Lucas
Postsecondary Avenue Scholar with a future in Carpentry or HVAC.
The structure and stability of full-time work has given Lucas both a place to grow his trade skills and a solid foundation to build his financial future.
Lucas graduated from North High and the Avenue Scholars program in summer 2025 and quickly put our support to work by securing employment with our partner, Walsh Door & Security.
While his long-term goals include pursuing Carpentry or HVAC, he’s currently gaining valuable hands-on experience as a Commercial Door Installer, earning $20.46 per hour with full benefits.
His determination and work ethic continue to set him up for long-term success in the skilled trades.
Our Avenue to Scholar Success
Avenue Scholars guides students from recruitment to career entry, offering internships, career planning, and post-secondary pathways for workforce readiness and sustainable employment.
Programming by the Numbers
Fueling Pathways.
Transforming Futures.
The Thomas and Linda Koehn Foundation's support has accelerated meaningful growth in Avenue Scholars’ Trades and Automotive pathways, helping move student outcomes from possibility to reality. This investment has supported coaching, equipment, and career-connected learning for dozens of Scholars, contributing to two students reaching alumni status, four entering registered apprenticeships, and 10 securing industry-aligned employment in construction, electrical, and automotive fields. Most notably, interest in the skilled trades has surged, from 3 students in our first cohort to now more than 50 students per cohort, per year.
Community Connection & Support
Our first-ever Pathways to Purpose fundraiser was a resounding success, bringing together community leaders, partners, and supporters in a shared commitment to student success. Through sponsorships, ticket sales, and generous donations, the event raised $46,000 to directly support Avenue Scholars through career coaching, transportation assistance, and emergency aid.
We are deeply grateful to every donor, sponsor, and partner who helped make this inaugural event possible.
Partner With Avenue Scholars
Partnerships make our students successful.
How Can Your Business Get Involved?
Avenue Scholars collaborates with local businesses to provide students with career exploration, work-based learning, and paid internships in the following sectors:
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Business
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Health Sciences
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Information Technology
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Skilled Trades & Manufacturing
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Automotive & Transportation
If you would like to learn more about how your company or organization can partner with Avenue Scholars Des Moines, contact our Community Engagement Director, Mary Core or our Executive Director, Noelle Nelson.
Thank You to Our Supporters and Partners
We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our community and partners. Your commitment empowers Avenue Scholars Des Moines to provide students with life-changing opportunities and a path to a brighter future.
If you would like to join us in shaping the future of our students, consider making a gift today. Your generosity helps us continue to inspire, educate, and prepare the next generation of leaders.