A Moment of Hope with Upward Transitions: Recent Episodes
Upward Transitions
Our weekly conversation on our work to prevent generational poverty through community collaboration, emergency relief, and empowerment, therefore INSPIRING HOPE with our neighbors experiencing housing instability.
Our special guest today is Periann Pulliam, CEO of Upward Transitions. She'll talk to us about the incredible numbers for fiscal year 2024; the upcoming Centennial; ways to learn more about the Endowment Campaign; and how to give to the Annual Campaign which is happening now!
We'll talk about plans for the upcoming American Tourist event: American Tourist New Orleans!
Salvador Ontiveros is President and CEO of the Latin Community Development Agency in Oklahoma City. We discuss his background and the work that the LCDA is doing in our community.
This week, Micah will be joined by Damien Parks, Manager of Recruitment & Intake for Work Ready Oklahoma. Work Ready Oklahoma delivers integrated services to help Oklahomans rapidly regain employment, mitigate their risk of future job loss, and advance along career pathways. In addition to being the Manager of Recruitment, Damien is a proud Oklahoma native, husband, dad. We are so excited to have this conversation!
This week, Micah will be joined by the leadership of our Annual American Tourist Fundraiser event. At this year's event, "An American Tourist in Paris," we are bringing the party to you with party packs. Your party pack will be a pre-packaged American Tourist experience in a box that you can enjoy in the safety of your own home or business. On May 7, 2021, 6:30-7:30 pm, we invite you to join us virtually for a LIVE streamed event. Join us for this conversation to learn more about this AMAZING event! For more information, go to our website.
This week, Micah will be joined by Crystal Levine, the Volunteer Coordinator at Upward Transitions. Crystal is responsible for managing all aspects of the Volunteer Program at Will Rogers World Airport. The airport volunteers staff the two information booths 365 days a year and provide information and assistance to the traveling public and visitors to Oklahoma City. Crystal will give us an update about the Volunteer program.
This week, Micah will be joined by Kaylinn Young, the OK VOAD Chair-Elect and the Disaster Case Management (DCM) Committee Chair. OK VOAD is leading the relief efforts after January's winter storm. Kaylinn will share available resources for Oklahomans who are seeking relief after the latest storms. We are so grateful to Kaylinn for being with us!
This week, Micah will be joined by Alicia Terry, one of the Case Managers at Upward Transitions. Alicia will share about her work with families and individuals seeking assistance, specifically those seeking assistance from COVID hardship. Join us for this behind-the-scenes look at the case management work of Upward Transitions.
This week, Micah will be joined by a representative from Express Employment International's Philanthropic Committee, Danielle Hoeltzel. Express Employment is sharing the LOVE with Upward Transitions this week with an AMAZING challenge match. Express will match gifts, up to a grand total of $5,000, from February 8-12, 2021. We are grateful to Express Employment International for their generosity and excited to hear from Danielle.
This week, Micah will be joined by Ginny Bass Carl, Executive Director of Community CARES Partners. CCP provides relief and hope for our community - by disbursing CARES funds to maintain housing stability. This time around the State of Oklahoma has a total of $264M to help residents with rent and utilities and they're gearing up to keep people safe and in their homes! We are grateful to Ginny for joining the conversation!
This week, Micah will be joined by Margaret Creighton and Kelly Berger from Positive Tomorrows. Margaret serves as a trusted member of Positive Tomorrows’ leadership team, overseeing all fundraising and marketing efforts of the organization including major gifts, corporate donations, grants, events, PR and in-kind resources. She believes in building long-lasting and trusting relationships with donors, helping them find where their investment can make the most impact. Kelly is the primary leader of family/parent development and case management at Positive Tomorrows. Specializing in strengths-based interventions and a holistic approach, Kelly and his team assist student families in creating their own stability and long-term success. Our conversation will revolve around how poverty and homelessness impacts families and children. We are so grateful to Margaret and Kelly for joining us!
This week, Micah will be joined by Laura McDonald. Laura is the Director of the Domestic Violence Victims Assistance Program at the YWCA of Oklahoma City. In this role, Laura oversees and mentors a team of volunteers and interns and provides training on Victim Protective Orders to community partners. Additionally, she is the Advocate embedded with the Oklahoma City Domestic Violence Detectives Unit. We are excited to welcome Laura to our "A Moment of Hope" conversations.
This week, Micah will celebrate the kick-off the SECOND SEASON of stories and sharing. With gratitude, Micah will share the latest on the work of Upward Transitions and share a little about the plans for 2021.
This week, Micah will be joined by Jerod Shadid of the City of Oklahoma City Planning Department, Homeless Services. Oklahoma City is moving away from the belief that emergency shelters are the answer toward a more lasting solution of a housing-first approach. Jerod will share about the City's current work and an update on the plan for the Winter Sheltering program in the midst of COVID-19.
This week, Micah will be joined by Taylor Fudge, Upward Transitions' Board Member and Managing Partner at Claims Management Resources (CMR). Today, Taylor and Micah are excited to update everyone on the progress of our GIVING TUESDAY match. CMR has pledged up to $2,500 matching all gifts between Friday, November 27 and the end of the day on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Together, we can turn $2,500 into $5,000 for the Upward Transitions' Winter Annual Campaign!
This week, Micah will be joined by Melanie Anthony of the United Way of Central Oklahoma. Melanie will share about the work that the United Way has done in partnership with OG&E to support those impacted by the recent ice storms. Upward Transitions was honored to the lead agency on this project.
This week, Micah will welcome Mayor David Holt. Mayor Holt is our 2020 recipient of the "Inspiring Hope" award. The “Inspiring Hope” award recipient embodies a phrase from the Upward Transitions’ mission statement - “inspiring hope with our neighbors”, especially those experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The recipient of this award joins Upward Transitions in infusing hope into the Oklahoma County community and empowers our community by making individuals or organizations stronger and more confident through inspiring a greater sense of hope. We are honored that Mayor Holt is taking the time to join us in conversation today!
This week, Micah chats with Upward Transitions' Volunteer Coordinator, Crystal Levine. She is responsible for managing all aspects of the Volunteer Program at Will Rogers World Airport. The airport volunteers staff the two information booths 365 days a year and provide information and assistance to the traveling public and visitors to Oklahoma City. The volunteers have been on a hiatus because of COVID-19, but are planning to return in early November.
This week, Micah will be joined by Ginny Bass Carl, the Executive Director of Community CARES. Community CARES is a temporary resource center providing support with eviction prevention, financial assistance, and connection to wraparound services like job training resulting from COVID-19 hardships. Community CARES is a public-private program of Communities Foundation of Oklahoma (CFO). We are grateful to have community partners, like Community CARES, collaborate with us as we support those who have been impacted by COVID-19. We are looking forward to this conversation with Ginny.
This week, Micah will be joined by Whitney Anderson from The Dragonfly Home. The Dragonfly Home exists because they believe that every victim-survivor of human trafficking deserves freedom and the opportunity to pursue a new life. They walk alongside these courageous and resilient individuals and provide whatever they need on their path to independence and restoration. The Dragonfly Home, Upward Transitions, and the City of Oklahoma City are partners in a new grant to support victim-survivors of human trafficking.
This week, Micah will be joined by Angie Doss of Sunbeam Family Services. Angie will share about the Sunbeam's Senior Shelter. Designed with the frail and elderly in mind, residents statewide come to the 11-bed facility by referral from social service providers, area law enforcement, and hospitals. The goal is to help residents find permanent housing within 30 days. To date, Sunbeam has a 94 percent success rate in finding permanent housing for shelter residents. Sunbeam is a partner of Upward Transitions, and we are excited to share more about this program with you.
This week, Micah is joined by Scott Love, Case Manager at Upward Transitions. Scott is responsible for working with families and seniors who are homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless to promote self-sufficiency. Micah and Scott will chat about recent homeless prevention cases at Upward Transitions.
This week, Micah is joined by Melanie Anthony of the United Way of Central Oklahoma. Melanie has spent over 20 years in the nonprofit sector making positive social change. She will share with us about this year's United Way of Central Oklahoma Annual Campaign, "Come Together For Our Community".