TEEM’s mission is to break cycles of incarceration and poverty through education, personal development and work readiness training. Funds will be used to sustain and grow the agency’s Pretrial Release Initiative as well as its Employment Navigation program. Expansion includes increasing the number of people bonded out of jail by the program, including hands-on job training and education opportunities for those released on a TEEM bond or referred by the Diversion Hub, and taking over supervision of individuals released on ankle monitor supervision. The TEEM Pretrial Release Initiative is a combined effort between the Oklahoma County Detention Center, Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office, Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, members of the Oklahoma County Judiciary, and TEEM to divert justice-involved individuals away from further involvement with the criminal legal system. Employment Navigators provide individualized support to those who have been impacted by the justice system as they seek employment, a key component in reducing recidivism.

The Arnall Community Funds are administered through Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) and provide grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Oklahoma that are working to improve outcomes for individuals, children and families involved with animal welfare and in the child welfare and criminal justice systems. The OCCF staff will manage the grant administration process and all grantmaking decisions will be made by OCCF Trustees. Learn more about the process.