Step Up-Omaha gives Nebraska youth opportunity to grow professional skills, present projects

OMAHA, Neb. —

More than 100 kids showed off their talents at Step-Up Omaha.

The event in North Omaha on Thursday afternoon connected people ages 14 to 21 with paid employment, professional development and more.

At their cohort showcase, 14- and 15-year-olds presented projects and demonstrated skills developed through summer jobs and internships.

Local leaders, mentors, and families turned out to celebrate the creativity across many fields including technology, music, camera work, sports, nursing, and party planning.

The event also provided an opportunity for the community to celebrate young people who went through the nine-week program and showed a willingness to build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for their futures.

“The goal of this program isn’t necessarily to say hey you’re in the culinary co-hort you’re going to be a chef growing up. It’s more about growing these skills so you have that option later on,” Brenda Esqueda, Empowerment Network representative, said.

Step-Up Omaha has been bridging the employment gap by investing in tomorrow’s workforce for 18 years.

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