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THOUGHTS FROM PRESIDENT & CEO
2,248. Hold onto that number for a moment.
Because of our generous supporters and dedicated staff, last fiscal year, 2,248 young people had someone who cared for them; someone who invested in them; someone who told them they could do more; someone willing to help prepare and join them on their journey into adulthood.
The young people we serve range from 12 to 21 years old. They are often displaced, homeless or couch-homeless, disconnected or otherwise at-risk of falling into criminal activity. Sadly, almost all of them are young people with too many barriers and limited resources to overcome those barriers on their own.
I am inspired every day by the resilience of the young people we serve and their desire to make positive, lasting changes. With our help, they are overcoming barriers, learning to make good decisions for themselves, and achieving goals they never dreamed possible. It is an honor to be a part of their lives and witness their growth.
Please take a moment to read about everything happening at Youth Services for Oklahoma County and learn about two young adults who have been able to change the trajectory of their lives thanks to the generosity of those who invest in our mission of
“Changing Young Lives.”
Kami N. Kuykendall
President and CEO
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CHANGING YOUNG LIVES:
QUAYLIN'S STORY
Observing Quaylin and Sonda, you might think they were mother and daughter. They greet each other with exuberant smiles and open arms. Sonda asks Quaylin about her college classes, and how her car is holding up. They are warm and comfortable – like two people who have known each other for a lifetime.
Quaylin, who is now 18 and a student at the University of Central Oklahoma, walks with a swagger. She is bubbly and personable. She talks about college and her interest in finding a career that allows her to help others. Her laugh is contagious. Her confidence -- astounding. She loves Sonda, and she smiles when she talks about her.
But Sonda is not her mother. Instead, Quaylin and Sonda bonded in Youth Services for Oklahoma County’s Family Junction Youth Shelter, where Sonda works and Quaylin found refuge throughout her childhood.
“This one is for life,” Sonda said. “She’s for life. We talk. We text. She’s mine for life.”
Steady adult influences have not always been present in Quaylin’s life. When she was only six years old, the man Quaylin knew as her father had his parental rights terminated and her mom, who also struggled to be a good parent, relinquished her parental rights to the state.
Her childhood included brief stays in a series of foster homes and separation from her only sibling. She received kindness from many of her foster parents, but she had a hard time adjusting to new family dynamics.
“I had been independent for so long,” Quaylin said. “When I would go to a new foster home, they (the foster parents) wanted me to fit in with their lives. It was hard to fit into a family that wasn’t mine. Every home meant a new room, a new religion … new everything.”
That changed when Quaylin came to the Family Junction Youth Shelter at YSOC. There, she connected with Sonda, a no-nonsense worker at the shelter who listened to Quaylin but accepted no excuses.
With Sonda’s guidance, Quaylin has found a foster family who has supported her through her latter teenage years. She maintains a relationship with her biological mother, though she admits the two are more like friends than mother and daughter.
And she recognizes that her path has been made possible by organizations and people who have accepted her as family when her own family could not.
“I’ve had help with food, clothes, graduation things (expenses) …” Quaylin said. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without that help. I want to give back. I don’t want to waste my chance.”
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CHANGING YOUNG LIVES:
AUSTIN'S STORY
Austin no longer starts his day with drinking and drugs. Instead, he mixes a protein shake and heads to the gym for a workout, sometimes with Alfonso, a mentor assigned to him as part of Youth Services for Oklahoma County’s JROC program.
“I’m pretty sure he (Alfonso) is one of the most successful mentors,” Austin proudly boasts. “I really appreciate what he does. I understand that he gives up a lot of his personal self to the job, and I really appreciate that.”
Austin, 20, doesn’t talk much about his past, but does admit an unstable home environment and a lack of positive role models were hallmarks of it. He behaved how he witnessed others behave – feeling it might not be right – not realizing he could make other choices.
When Austin’s choices had finally led to his arrest, he was taken into custody and given a choice. He could risk his future before a judge, potentially be charged as an adult and face jail time. Or he could start improving his future with the help of Juvenile Re-Entry for Oklahoma County (JROC).
Austin chose JROC, and he credits Alfonso and the program as being the most important factor in helping him shift away from the negative path he was on.
Alfonso believes Austin had the ability to change his path the whole time; he just lacked the tools to make the changes on his own.
“I did 15 percent. It was up to him to come up with the other 85 percent,” said Alfonso, when describing the changes he has seen in Austin. “Most of it is effort and a willingness to do better. He was a complete turn-around. On paper he looked like a really bad guy; he used a lot of drugs but he made a turn-around, and he made working out his new addiction.”
Today, Austin says it feels good to have goals for the future and to be able to take the right steps to get to where he wants to be.
“I think it’d be cool to be a personal trainer. Right now I’m working on my certification to become a personal trainer,” Austin said.
And he knows first-hand the importance of nonprofit programs and organizations like YSOC.
“I feel way better. It feels better to be productive,” Austin said. “It works, even if you don’t see it every day. Everything [donors] give to the program is appreciated."
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Together we are
Changing Young Lives!
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GENEROSITY RULES FOR AT-RISK YOUTH IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY
We are so excited that Perk Place Café in Edmond selected Youth Services for Oklahoma County as their charity of choice for October! This local business offers free coffee from 7 to 8 a.m., Monday through Saturday, and encourages customers to give to the generosity jar. They are located at 33rd and Lincoln in Edmond. If you have a coffee meeting, or you’re looking for a tasty breakfast or lunch, please visit them in October!
Jeff and Natalie Meyer, owners of Perk Place, are especially drawn to working with charities that serve children, and they hope October’s devotion to Youth Services for Oklahoma County will set donation records, as well as get other businesses and those in the community involved with us.
“My husband and I have always done personally what we could for charities, especially ones that serve children, and we tithe at our church. But, when we opened our restaurants, we decided to do even more and make giving back, every day part of who we are," Meyer said. "Our business's motto is 'generosity changes lives' and we truly believe it. We're excited to do what we can for Youth Services for Oklahoma County and encourage other area businesses and individuals to do the same. They need our help.”
This month when the urge for coffee hits you, please visit Perk Place and support a locally owned business that truly gives back every day. Oh, and bring some change for the generosity jar! Visit Perk Place’s website to learn more and check out their menu.
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LET THEIR DAYS BE
MERRY AND BRIGHT
It is October, and fall is here. The days are getting shorter, the nights are cooler, and the holidays will be here before we know it
Many of us will start making plans for our annual family traditions. Whether it’s gathering around the table carving the turkey, lighting candles, singing carols while sipping eggnog, or opening presents – these are the moments when wonderful family memories are made.
Unfortunately, many of the young people we serve have never known what it’s like to have family get-togethers or on-going, joy-filled holiday traditions. Many of our teens have never experienced receiving a new winter coat as the seasons change, enjoying holiday dinners with family, or opening gifts with loved ones sitting by the Christmas tree.
The services Youth Services for Oklahoma County provides to at-risk young people focus on counseling; education and vocation assistance; prevention, intervention and diversion resources; homeless youth services, and well-being resources. Regardless of their circumstances, we believe every child deserves access to our services. That includes providing our teens with a sense of belonging and enjoyment around the holidays.
Because of you, we are able to help young people like Anne. At our last holiday celebration, she shared the wonderful things Youth Services has done for her.
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This community helps me and my family so much. This is like a miracle for me, "
said Anne.
"We don’t have a lot of money for clothes or books. So this is such an amazing thing to have given to us. It’s a blessing."
This happened because loyal friends and supporters like you, who give gifts of support to our mission, allow us to continue helping teens like Anne.
As we approach the holidays, our wish is that you will give a gift of hope to these young people. Your donation of $200 will allow us to provide additional services to one of the amazing young people we serve during the winter months and holiday season. Gifts received by November 1, will be specifically used to meet their needs. Please donate today and continue to partner with us in
“Changing Young Lives.”
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CASS HAYES SAYS GOODBYE;
YSOC WELCOMES MELANIE ANTHONY
Longtime Youth Services for Oklahoma County employee Cass Hayes achieved one of her bucket list items – to relocate to Colorado to be closer to her daughter, Caty! For 20 years, Cass was part of
“Changing Young Lives”
alongside many of you. With her passion for our teens, quick wit, and wealth of institutional knowledge, she has definitely been missed. Please join us in wishing Cass the best in all of her endeavors.
Cass’s departure left some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, Youth Services found just the person to fill them. We are pleased to announce Melanie Anthony has joined our team. A native Oklahoman with more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Melanie has a passion for helping young people. She truly wants to help kids who find themselves in difficult situations discover the tools needed to achieve success in their lives. She has hit the ground running by learning about the amazing kids we serve and how together, we can continue to provide the resources needed to help them successfully transition into self-sustaining adults.
If it’s been a while since you visited Youth Services for Oklahoma County, email Melanie and she would be happy to set up a tour for you!
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YSOC CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 2016: Perk Place Café, Edmond
Support a locally owned business that gives back! Meet for coffee, breakfast, or lunch at their Edmond location, which is located at 1649 W. 33rd in Edmond. Don’t forget to give to the #GenerosityJar. YSOC is the Perk Place charity of choice for the entire month of October.
Oct. 10 – Nov. 1: LET THEIR DAYS BE MERRY AND BRIGHT Campaign
A gift of $200 will allow us to provide additional services to one of the amazing young people we serve during the winter months and holiday season. Click here to donate today!
Nov. 29: #GivingTuesday
We all know Black Friday and Cyber Monday will be here soon, but do not forget #GivingTuesday! Give a donation in the name of a friend or loved one this holiday season. We will even mail the card for you!
Dec. 1 – 12: 12 Days of Giving
Last year was so much fun, we are doing it again! For 12 days, see how you can help support YSOC and the incredible kids we invest in. Challenge your friends, or your business, to join in on the fun!
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Copyright © 2016 Youth Services for Oklahoma County, Inc.
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201 NE 50th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-1811
Phone:
405-235-7537
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