Talent Collective DSM has received a $7,500 grant from Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa that provided health care scrubs for participants enrolled in health sciences career pathways. Talent Collective DSM, previously known as Avenue Scholars, is a workforce development nonprofit serving 350 high school students and recent graduates in partnership with the Des Moines school district. The group, through partnerships with local businesses, educators and community leaders, prepares participants for high-demand careers by providing career coaching, skill development and direct pathways to employment. Many participants often don’t have money to pay for uniforms, which can create a barrier to participating in training, clinical experiences and employment opportunities. “Variety’s support directly removes a financial barrier for our participants and allows them to fully engage in their health care training,” Noelle Nelson, president of Talent Collective DSM, said in a news release. Variety is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of Iowa children who are underprivileged, at-risk, critically ill or living with special needs.