The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) will host the 2021 Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards on April 24, 2021, in Tulsa, with limited attendance. The event will be livestreamed on OKCNP’s website as well. Leading up to the event, we are celebrating the 21 Oklahoma nonprofit finalists in seven categories. SixTwelve – The Young School (SixTwelve) is a finalist in the Education category.

“Oklahoma Contemporary congratulates our friends at SixTwelve on this honor,” said Eddie Walker, executive director, Oklahoma Contemporary. “Their spirit of innovation is a refreshing alternative, and we wish them much success.”

Founded in 2011, SixTwelve serves 1,500 individuals annually. Their mission is “sharing tools to build a better community.” They succeed in their mission by providing educational opportunities for anyone interested in creativity and sustainability. Their scholarships allow access for anyone of any age, socioeconomic class, gender identity or place of residence.

SixTwelve’s programs include their pre-kindergarten community (with classes limited to eight students during COVID-19, with plans to expand the classes back to students), after school programs, Oklahoma Sierra Camp and Girl’s Rock and Roll Camp for youths.

“SixTwelve has been a blessing to our entire family, as both my daughter and son have attended. When SixTwelve decided to suspend its after school program and events, and transform its grounds into an outdoor classroom in order to conduct the Young School Pre-K Program, it made for an easy decision on where to send our son for preschool,” said Stephen G. Butler, parent, SixTwelve, and Assistant Dean for Advancement and External Relations, Oklahoma City University Law School. “My son is receiving a world-class education in the safest possible environment.”

SixTwelves’ creativity and sustainability workshops bring in 15-30 individuals each month, up to 300 adults in a normal year.

In addition to the sustainability workshops, their programs support the arts. At any given time, their residency program houses up to five artists, musicians, writers, dancers, chefs, film makers, farmers and other creatives from Oklahoma City, Savannah, Chicago and Memphis. When a residency artist takes place in Oklahoma City, a local Oklahoma City artist will take residency in place of the traveling artist.

“SixTwelve has been such a positive and vital part of our community,” said Denise Duong, Oklahoma City (and beyond) artist, and owner, The Paseo Art District’s Little D Gallery. “They’ve been such a great supporter of the arts by integrating in their community and school programing. Educating others with the vast genres of art is integral to a growing mind and also a curious community. We thank SixTwelve for helping water those curious minds!”

To learn more about SixTwelve – The Young School, visit their website: http://www.sixtwelve.org/.

The ONE Awards is dedicated to honoring the outstanding work of Oklahoma nonprofits statewide. The ONE Awards also serves as the primary fundraising event for OKCNP. Proceeds from the ONE Awards enable OKCNP to serve communities throughout Oklahoma.

To learn more about the OKCNP ONE Awards or to watch the event, visit: https://www.okcnp.org/page/one-awards.