OUR HISTORY

 

Positive Tomorrows was founded in 1989 by a group of citizens concerned about homeless children and their lack of access to public education.  Founding partners included the Mayor’s Taskforce on Homelessness, Junior League of OKC, YWCA, and Oklahoma City Public Schools.  Positive Tomorrows worked with area homeless shelters to identify and enroll children in school.  Children attended Positive Tomorrows for a short period of time before they were transferred to the neighborhood public schools.

 

Positive Tomorrows’ services evolved over time to include medical care, clothing, school supplies and psychological testing for students.  Family Support and case management services were added to provide parents with referrals for services such as food stamps, employment assistance, housing and more.

 

Positive Tomorrows funding came from foundation and corporate grants, individuals and the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) through the McKinney federal grant.  The McKinney grant provides funds for public schools to educate homeless children through the McKinney-Vento Act.  In addition, Positive Tomorrows was an Extended Education Site of the Oklahoma City Public Schools.  Through an in-kind donation OKCPS placed teachers at Positive Tomorrows and, through the McKinney grant, paid the salaries of a bus driver, school secretary, counselor, and volunteer coordinator.

 

In 2005, it was Oklahoma’s “turn” to be monitored on the McKinney funds.  The result of the monitor was that OKC Public Schools was out of compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act by segregating homeless students to Positive Tomorrows and they could no longer use Positive Tomorrows as an education site.  This resulted in a loss of nearly $400,000 in cash and in-kind support for Positive Tomorrows.

 

Positive Tomorrows’ Board and Staff realized that just because the funding was cut didn’t mean the need had disappeared.  After extensive research and a visit to First Place School in Seattle (a school with similar origins and programs) a Three-Year Plan was developed to re-create and expand Positive Tomorrows.

OUR PROGRAM

 

The first year of the plan began July 1, 2006 and includes an after school program, backpacks, school supplies, clothing, etc. for children with case management and referrals for parents.  Due to limitations in funding we did not have day classes in 2006.  Also, in 2006 we implemented our Creating a Positive Tomorrow program.

 

Creating a Positive Tomorrow is designed to meet the needs of the whole family in order to move them out of homelessness and despair and into a new life of stability and independence. Families must qualify to participate in this program and only those who are truly motivated to change their circumstances will be accepted.  Children will receive education, tutoring, mentoring and participate in group activities while parents receive training and assistance to become self-sufficient. Through intensive case management the parents will establish goals in five core competencies:  housing, employment, education, healthcare and life skills. The goal is not to train the parents in the art of working the system, but to create stable, independent members of society.

 

We will continue to provide assistance to families who are not enrolled in Creating a Positive Tomorrow.  Those families will receive referrals as needed as well as clothing, school supplies, furniture, etc.

 

Positive Tomorrows collaborates and partners with many education and social service providers in Oklahoma City.  We offer CampFire USA programs and CampFire coordinates our summer camp program.  We work closely with the area shelters: City Rescue Mission, Salvation Army and Passageways to identify and enroll families.  Neighborhood Services Organization and Traveler’s Aide help us to provide housing and other services for our families and we are on the Homeless Management Information System coordinated by the Homeless Alliance.

 

We appreciate the support of the Oklahoma City community and welcome partnerships with those who share our vision for helping homeless families to become stable and self-sufficient members of the community.

FY 2006-2007

Annual Report