Impact Spotlight: Homeless Alliance, TEEM, Nonprofit Incubator
Our partners do amazing work, and we think it’s important to highlight them for all they do for the people they serve. Homeless Alliance: Those experiencing homelessness have found a haven at Homeless Alliance’s Winter Shelter since it reopened in November. In their...
Locked In: How Oklahoma’s Harsh Sentences and Parole Process Keep People Behind Bars
In October of 2024, an interim study examined Oklahoma’s uniquely lengthy criminal sentencing. The study, requested by Rep. Danny Williams (R-Seminole), also examined the growing population of inmates 55 and over, the underutilization of parole-granting powers, and...
Diversion Hub: Bright Future, Current Successes
Diversion Hub connects justice-involved individuals to social services and programs to minimize their contact with the criminal legal system — reducing the pressure on Oklahoma’s jail and prisons. Clients receive various life stabilizing resources and assistance...
Live Free OKC: Impact on Gun Homicides in Northeast OKC
Live Free OKC hosted a press conference on July 1, 2024, to give a status update on gun homicides in Northeast OKC.Live Free OKC, founded in August of 2023, aims to dramatically reduce gun violence in impacted OKC communities through intervention and effective...
Diversion Programs Successfully Lower Incarceration Rates
OSBI’s most recent crime reporting shows that in 2021 the crime rate in Oklahoma City was 77.88 per 1,000 residents, compared to 102.72 per 1,000 in Tulsa. Additional reporting by the FBI shows that crimes counted as part of the National Incident Based Reporting...
Exploring the 2024 Point In Time Count
In the cold, early morning hours on January 25, roughly 100 volunteers spread out across Oklahoma City to conduct the 2024 Point in Time (PIT) count. 1,838 individuals were found to be experiencing homelessness — a 28% increase from 2023. Meghan Mueller, CEO of the...
Longtime Executive Director of Homeless Alliance Dan Straughan Retires
Dan Straughan retired in April after 20 years of serving as the Executive Director of Homeless Alliance.In 2004, after working at the Federal Reserve and then United Way, Dan was eager for a new adventure. A visionary group of civic leaders, that later became the...
National Treatment Court Month
“Drug courts are a place where people can and do change,” said District Judge Kenneth Stoner in a recent op-ed. “In fact, when people are engaged with compassion and accountability, that change is not just possible, it’s probable and predictable.” Judge Stoner...
OK Economic Mobility and Second Chances Roundtable
On April 12, 2024 — business leaders, nonprofits, and elected officials met to discuss advancing second chance opportunities for justice-involved individuals at the Economic Mobility Roundtable, presented by Arnall Family Foundation, Vera Institute of Justice, and...