Arnall Family Foundation

Behind every number is a person. In January, members of our staff took part in the point-in-time count, an annual census of people experiencing homelessness in Oklahoma City. Volunteering in the PIT count was a striking reminder that homelessness doesn’t come from a single cause. It’s often a chain of events, a mix of bad luck, lack of support, and circumstances beyond control. Read our latest blog about the night of the PIT count, written from the perspective of our staff. ✍ https://lnkd.in/g3sQaP2Q

Our partners work tirelessly to serve those in need. Whether it’s providing shelter in record-breaking freezing temperatures, uplifting justice-involved individuals, or helping nonprofits grow — these organizations are changing lives.🌟 Read about their recent wins: https://lnkd.in/g2inddQk

Oklahoma County’s next Warrant Clearing Event will be at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma on April 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.📍📆 Individuals will have opportunities to pay fees, get on payment plans, and reset court dates. Service providers like Diversion Hub, TEEM - The Education and Employment Ministry Inc., Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc., LiveFree OKC and other organizations will be onsite. Need a lift? Visit this link to request a ride. 🚌 https://lnkd.in/gaivydYe

Before I started working at the Arnall Family Foundation, Sue Ann Arnall introduced me to Meagan Kania Taylor (who has since become one of my dearest friends). She gave me a tour of Diversion Hub, and I will always remember how it filled me with hope and excitement for what CAN be done differently for our community. Diversion Hub wraps around folks with involvement in the criminal legal system, providing transparency and guidance when it's needed most. They have a no wrong door approach, which I SO admire. Through their support and care, individuals have been able to meet the requirements of court, find redemption, and move forward better suited for long term success. Now, just a few years later, Diversion Hub is expanding into Canadian County, and we couldn't be more thrilled to create pathways of hope, opportunity, and resources to more community members through this expansion. Please join us on March 21st from 3:30-5:30 PM in El Reno for an open house, celebrating the launch of Diversion Hub's Canadian County office! 🤍

The prison population over 55 is on the rise in Oklahoma and taxpayers are shouldering heavy costs. From 2013 to 2023, Oklahoma Department of Correction’s (ODOC) health services budget increased by nearly 75%. The budget rose from $64,348,900 to $112,177,588 in 10 years. ODOC attributes this increase in part to the aging prisoner population and their high healthcare costs. How can we address this? Experts look to the Pardon and Parole Board to provide some relief. Learn more in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gZ_r5NBW

We're grateful that organizations like CKS exist to support at-risk youth. Thank you for your transformative work!

We Can’t Blame Young People for Resisting What They Don’t Understand💯 A lot of people say they want to “help change young people.” Until they realize helping requires understanding first. We tell them: ❌ Leave the gang.(community) ❌ Stop smoking.(coping) ❌ Quit skipping school.(who knows?!) But we never ask why they’re there in the first place. You can’t pull a kid out of something that’s filling a void without replacing it with something better. • If a gang gives them family, what’s replacing that bond? • If substances help them cope, what new outlet are we offering? • If school feels pointless, how are we making education relevant to their reality? Young people aren’t resisting change—they’re resisting abandonment. If we don’t provide real alternatives, we’re not helping. We’re just demanding. The Solution? Mentorship that doesn’t just dictate—but builds, replaces, loves, and equips. If you’re working with youth, ask yourself: Are you offering real wholistic solutions—or just stripping away survival mechanisms? Let’s stop blaming kids for what they don’t understand and start giving them what they truly need. They’re the future! It’s worth it! Drop your thoughts. Let’s talk. 📢 #UrbanBridge #YouthMentorship #AtRiskYouth #OpportunityYouth #MentorshipMatters #CommunityImpact #PoweringPotential

Three years ago yesterday, I started working at the Arnall Family Foundation—and what an incredible journey it has been. It’s a rare and special thing to find an organization whose mission you can stand behind with honesty and passion, and I’m continuously grateful to Sue Ann Arnall for the opportunity to do this work alongside the best teammates and a community willing to collaborate for meaningful change. In the past three years, I’ve learned so much and have had the privilege of being part of some of the most impactful initiatives in our city. Together, we have: ✅ Helped launch Live Free OKC ✅ Expanded Diversion Hub into Cleveland and Canadian counties ✅ Built staff and loan fund capacity with Northeast OKC Renaissance, Inc. ✅ Supported Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Inc.’s expungement program ✅ Helped coordinate stakeholders around Clean Slate implementation ✅ Partnered with TEEM - The Education and Employment Ministry Inc. and Calm Waters Center for Children and Families to ensure our neighbors in the detention center feel seen ✅ Supported Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma in advocating for the legal waiving of fines and fees ✅ Engaged in public-private partnerships to bolster MAPS and ARPA programs ✅ Traveled to NYC to gain perspective from The Fortune Society and Center for Justice Innovation, to Atlanta to learn about Westside Future Fund and Purpose Built Communities, and to Santa Fe to engage with folks across the nation who want to make a more effective use of fines and fees (thank you Fines and Fees Justice Center, Results for America) ✅ Aided OKC Metro Alliance, Inc. in securing dollars to build a (much needed) new dining facility ✅ Supported the continued success of Oklahoma County Treatment Courts ✅ Helped make it possible for dozens of NEOKC nonprofits to go through a nonprofit incubator led by Gabrielle and Stephen Butler ✅ Collaborated alongside Oklahomans For Criminal Justice Reform and Right On Crime to help advocate for the changes we want to see in Oklahoma ✅ Provided resources to initiatives like Juneteenth, Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce, OK Justice Circle, OKC Innovation District and others who are helping bring community together for good ...and so much more! This work is a privilege. Every day, I’m reminded of the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in solutions that create lasting change. I can’t imagine a better place to be right now, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. WE have SO much more to do together. Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and making an impact!

Sentencing in Oklahoma prioritizes punishment over progress. People often serve twice as long for many crimes with no added benefit. According to research by FWD.us, Oklahomans spend 21% longer behind bars for violent crimes. Learn more in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/gZ_r5NBW

Oklahoma’s outdated sentencing and parole policies are draining resources and keeping too many people behind bars for too long. Adjusting the parole process could save the state millions and create a fairer justice system. ⚖️ A huge shoutout to Oklahoma Policy Institute for conducting this critical research! Check out the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gZ_r5NBW