Providing positive guidance, case management, career coaching and helping people stabilize their lives has been the focus of Omar Nelson's career over the past 20 years. A lifelong Philadelphian, he has used his leadership abilities, management and organizational skills to enhance organizations and initiatives that uplift and support overlooked and underserved people seeking success in life.
 

After studying social services at Bloomsburg University, Nelson began his career as a life counselor at the Bethesda Project's Our Brothers' Place men's shelter. As lead case manager and job developer for the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, he maintained a caseload of 75 members enrolled in the Fatherhood Initiative Program. He also worked with the Bureau of Employment & Training Programs and Impact Services Inc. in case management and retention.

 

Nelson has been executive director of the Samuel Staten, Sr. Pre-Apprenticeship Program since 2023, who rose through the ranks of the program serving as senior case manager, office manager and operations manager. Nelson knows the program better than anyone and, to many, is the number one advocate for the program and its participants.