Upward Transitions

https://lnkd.in/gVgZZuUK

Gwen sent us a lovely thank you note: “Thank you so much for all your help and assistance. You and Upward Transitions were truly a blessing. I am so grateful for Community Outreach for the wonderful program you offer. Without your help and the huge blessing I received through your organization, I couldn’t have made it.!” Gwen, age 63, reached out to Upward Transitions for support after her employer informed her that her work hours would be cut from 40 to 17 hours a week. In addition, they informed her it was uncertain if the school where she worked would remain open. Teaching was her full-time and only employment. This news left her anxious and upset. She lives alone and became worried about the possibility of becoming homeless at her age, especially as she had no other help or support. Her Upward Transitions case manager provided the compassionate support that Gwen needed during this uncertain time. Upward Transitions was able to assist her with the remaining balance of her April rent and all of her May rent. In addition, Upward Transitions helped ensure her water and electric bills were paid for April and May. “Thanks again for helping me through this difficult time,” wrote Gwen. “Your hard work and dedication certainly does not go unnoticed.” More Upward Transitions Client Victory Stories: https://lnkd.in/g-MRpEKj

It’s been a wonderful year! What a difference you’ve made in so many lives. We’re so grateful to have you!

Ruby: An Upward Transitions Client Victory Story Ruby and her daughter are thriving at last! She is now the head chef at a restaurant. “I know for a fact, if I didn’t have that help through Upward Transitions, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I was stuck. I didn’t know how it all works, but she [UT case manager] directed me what to do! I feel it’s all up from here. I’m excited!” Eight months ago, Ruby left everything at her home and fled a domestic violence situation. She didn’t know what she was going to do when she arrived in Oklahoma City. She stayed at a hotel for a couple of weeks and with her funds running low, she learned about a program at the YWCA. “You’re in survival mode and not always sure of what you’re going to do. It was nice to talk with other women who were in the same place I was, and they told me about Upward Transitions and how they worked with the Y, Palomar, and Homeless Alliance,” Ruby explained. The YWCA referred Ruby to Upward Transitions to obtain birth certificates for herself and her young daughter. The first person she was introduced to at Upward Transitions was a UT case manager who worked with her to determine her needs toward stabilizing her household. Once she had her identification documents, she became gainfully employed but she still needed help with gas for her car and the job’s required uniform. Ruby said, “Anytime I would need something, I would call [the Upward Transitions case manager] and ask and even if she couldn’t help me with it, she always referred me to someone who could help me. It was positive support, you know, like ‘it’s going to be okay’ and support for my daughter too.” The Upward Transitions case manager provided Ruby with gas cards to support her transportation to the new job and purchased the required uniform and shoes Ruby would need to work there. Over time, she continued to look for opportunities to better her situation, and the Upward Transitions case manager continued to support her journey toward a self-sustaining future with the community resources to meet her childcare, self-care, and housing needs. “You guys really don’t know how important you all are to our survival. You come in and you just think you’re only one smile, just one resource, but that changed the whole course of my life. You actually save lives – you’re not just a resource.” You inspire us, Ruby! www.upwardtransitions.org

Rodney has been sober for four months, has obtained housing, and is employed driving a forklift. He had been unhoused for five years and was in crisis with no family or anyone to ask for help. One of our community partners referred him to Upward Transitions to obtain his ID so he could have access to housing, employment, and other social services. He also enrolled in an addiction program. When asked what he is most proud of, Rodney beamed, “Me – for getting sober and doing the right thing!” You’re amazing, Rodney! Please make your gift today to see more people like Rodney succeed in escaping homelessness: https://lnkd.in/gzyMW-Aj

As we move towards our Centennial, it is our goal to raise $100,000 for our clients to celebrate 100 years of serving this community. Please go to our Victory Stories page at https://lnkd.in/gXszaCvY to learn more, and please make your gift to support our Client Programs today. With your support, we will be able to help our neighbors at risk of and experiencing homelessness for another 100 years, working to prevent generational poverty in Central Oklahoma. Make your gift at https://lnkd.in/ginE8NHr

HELP US RAISE $100,000 FOR 100 MORE YEARS! A Letter from the CEO, Periann Pulliam: As I reflect on my 15 years with Upward Transitions, I can’t help but be moved by the care and compassion our team gives to the most vulnerable in our community. Day in and day out, our frontline team members encounter people from all walks of life. Most are in crisis, seeking our help to make a better life for their families. Every one of their stories is different, and each person faces a very personal set of barriers to a stable life. The issues of homelessness and poverty are complex. Upward Transitions cannot address every barrier, but with your help, we can remove or lower obstacles to housing, employment, transportation, and critical services, and perhaps, provide a little hope along the way. This past fiscal year, July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, our team worked with more than 50 partner agencies throughout Oklahoma County to address issues and remove barriers to self-sufficiency for more than 4,000 individuals. A common challenge people experiencing homelessness encounter is obtaining identification documents such as birth certificates and state IDs. Many of the people we serve are not able to obtain the documents they need without our assistance due to literacy, behavioral, and cognitive factors as well as cost. Last year, Upward Transitions provided nearly 2,600 documents and state IDs which opened doors to employment, housing, benefits, and other vital services. Preventing families and seniors from becoming homeless is another critical service Upward Transitions provides to our community. Last year, through our rent and utility assistance program, we diverted evictions for 854 individuals in 300 households. These services along with case management helped keep children safe and healthy by ensuring their families remained in their homes and had access to needed support services for nutrition, medical care, education, and employment. In 2025, Upward Transitions will celebrate 100 years of service to Central Oklahoma. In the latter part of the past 100 years, we have worked to build a sustainable future for the organization including creating a fulltime development and public relations staff position, maintaining a debt-free organization, and establishing investments and reserves equal to more than four months of operating expenses. We want to ensure Upward Transitions will be here in the next century to serve those facing homelessness and have set a goal to raise $100,000 to commemorate our 100th year. Please help us continue to clear the path to self-sufficiency and make your one-time or recurring gift today. With gratitude, Periann Pulliam, CEO Help us raise $100,000 for 100 more years! Your gift of $1,000 qualifies you as a member of our Circle of Hope. https://lnkd.in/gH-SA_sv

Upward Transitions will not be taking requests for assistance on Monday, September 2, 2024, due to the Labor Day holiday. We will resume weekly rent and utilities assistance screening requests on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. at https://lnkd.in/gVBba_NP

Sue (48) called to thank her Upward Transitions case manager and to report she had obtained housing, was doing well at her new job, and had started classes to become a certified nurse aide. She had been referred to Upward Transitions by a case manager from a partner agency. She was unhoused and needed her birth certificate and job search assistance to get back on her feet. Her Upward Transitions case manager assisted her in getting her birth certificate and state ID and helped her with beginning her search for employment. Upward Transitions also provided her with bus passes so she could get to job interviews and doctors' appointments. Sue quickly completed training and secured employment as a home health aide. When she needed scrubs for her new job, her Upward Transitions' case manager reached out to one of our partner agencies to get her work clothes and provided bus passes to help her to travel to get the clothes she needed. She is now on her way to a bright future. Way to go, Sue! Learn more at www.upwardtransitions.org