Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) is celebrating 10 years of VISIONS on December 1, 2020, virtually.

The Visions Awards honors those who act as agents of change in the community, providing leadership to enrich and enliven those whom they serve. These men and women are thoughtful, passionate, tenacious, and creative in seeking out solutions to problems that affect change. They inspire others with their conviction and drive, give a voice to those without, and act with the highest integrity to provide Oklahomans with resources otherwise not available. Visions recognizes these great men and women as passionate champions of service to Oklahoma.

Over the next few weeks leading up to the event, we will spotlight each of the honorees.

Michael Brose has been serving as the Chief Empowerment Officer at Mental Health Association of Oklahoma (MHA-OK) since 1993 and plans to retire in December 2020.

Under his leadership, MHA-OK has grown from five to 180 employees. Their programing provides housing, mental health education, support groups, pro bono counseling, mental health screening and referral, suicide prevention, peer-to-peer recovery services, employment placement and support, integrated mobile medical intervention, criminal justice advocacy, and more.

When they first started providing housing, they had eleven beds in the Walker Hall Living Center. Their Housing First model has grown to provide access to safe, decent and affordable housing with 133 units Oklahoma City and 1,433 units in Tulsa. The housing is available to individuals who have experienced mental illness, homelessness, substance use and justice involvement.

Throughout his career, Michael has not only taught and mentored social work practicum students, he has empowered them to advocate for change when the system has failed those who experience mental health issues or homelessness.

Because of his dedication to social work, Michael was inducted to Oral Roberts University’s Social Work Hall of Fame, as well as the University of Oklahoma’s Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work Hall of Fame.

Michael is being honored with the Pat Potts Visionary Award. Named in honor of the founder of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, this award will go to an individual executive leader who, through focus, tenacity and leadership, has inspired the success of a singular organization in carrying out its charitable mission.

Past honorees include Pam Newby, Miki Farris, Albert Gray, Rodney Bivens, Lauren Branch, Danny Cavett, Kevin Evans, Joanna Trimble Smith and Jean Winfrey.

For more information about Visions 2020, visit: https://oklahomacenterfornonprofits.site-ym.com/page/Visions