GROWING HOME
Connecting BIPOC students to the peopleand opportunities that will help shape
their career—in Omaha.
Expanding Horizons.
Deepening Roots.
When Omaha’s best and brightest seek higher education outside the state, we want to make sure we keep them connected to home. Growing Home is a mentorship program that helps students that identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color (BIPOC) build a professional network, find internships and explore careers in Omaha while they earn their degrees. With the connections students make through this program, they will be well positioned to start a career here in Omaha.
How it Works.
Apply
Applications for scholars and mentors are accepted in the spring of each year.
Get Matched
Our team will match scholars with mentors based on career interests.
Engage
Scholars participate in programs and receive mentorship throughout the school year.
What Scholars Can Expect.
Students receive professional development training and mentorship from Omaha professionals and will be connected to internship opportunities in Omaha over summer break. With the connections they make through this program, students will be well situated to start a career in Omaha after they graduate.
Students selected to participate in Growing Home must commit to full participation the various program activities, including:
- Regular communication with their mentor through the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Attend career development and business visits during Summer 2025.
- Students will receive a stipend for successful participation in the program.
To be eligible, students must fulfill the following criteria.
- May 2025 Graduate from an Omaha-area high school
AND
- Attend a higher education institution and identify as a part of the BIPOC community.
Applicants will be reviewed based on their academic and community involvement and thoughtful answers to the questions in the application. Please provide all requested documentation.
Please complete the student application by December 11, 2024, at 11:59 pm. If you have questions, contact Janique Hayes, Director for Inclusive Workforce Strategy, [email protected]
What Mentors Can Expect.
Growing Home mentors share their professional experience with their mentees—helping students to develop connections with the Omaha business community while they are studying out-of-state. Each mentor will meet virtually with their mentee on a regular basis throughout the school year and have opportunities to connect in-person during summer break.
Mentors selected to participate in Growing Home must commit to full participation the various program activities, including:
- Meet monthly with your mentee for about an hour
- Complete an end-of-month mentee/mentor communication log
- Attend program onboarding and debrief meetings
Any Omaha professional with interest in diversity and inclusion who is willing to share their experience with a diverse student. Mentors are matched with scholars based on a mix of criteria, including areas of career interest and alumni status. If you are not matched to this round of students, we will keep your information on record for possible future matches.
Please complete the mentor application by January 31, 2025, by 11:59 pm.
If you have questions, contact Janique Hayes, Director for Inclusive Workforce Strategy, [email protected].
Growing Home 2024-2025
Idaly Quiroz Tavizon, University of Nebraska – Omaha (Matched with Mentor LaJoy Green)
Meet Idaly
“Growing Home was a good opportunity to get out there, especially because I’m a shy person, I could meet a lot people and get more comfortable, and when I heard we were visiting jobs, it was a good idea for me to see my job be displayed and I liked it, so I’m going to go more further into it and continue my career”.
Meet Legacy
“I honestly really liked it, I’m so glad I did this. It made me really happy that there’s that an organization going into the community helping out people, and wanting to keep people’s talents in Omaha. I can attest to that because I’m here and there’s a lot of opportunities”.
Legacy Durham, Boston College (Matched with Mentor Natavia Jones)
About
This program is brought to you by Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity (CODE), a Greater Omaha Chamber program, with support from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.