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, OKCNP is celebrating the 21 Oklahoma nonprofit finalists in seven categories. Tulsa Dream Center is a finalist in the Self-Sufficiency category.

“I’m so grateful for the Tulsa Dream Center to be nominated for such an amazing award,” said AJ Johnson, executive director, Tulsa Dream Center. “For over 20 years, the Tulsa Dream Center has been working to serve those in need to bring hope, healing and restoration. To be recognized on this level and a spotlight highlighting the impact of the Tulsa Dream Center means so much. We are grateful and honored to partner with you.”

Tulsa Dream Center was founded in 1999 with the mission to empower the North Tulsa community to know God and experience transformation. The organization serves 50,000 children and their families each year, with recent efforts focusing on COVID-19 relief.

Tulsa Dream Center typically serves low income families; however, the impact of COVID-19 has extended the need to lower-middle/middle-income families. Most of the families that come to the Tulsa Dream Center live within walking distance of the facilities, but with heightened needs during the pandemic, the Tulsa Dream Center has been forced to expand its reach across the metro area.

Central to the nonprofit’s mission is working to combat generational poverty, addressing not only immediate needs, but also long-term needs of families with the assistance of community partners. Their programs include education, food, clothing, medical care, and sports and recreation.

“It means to put myself aside for the betterment of every student that I am in contact with,” said Elandra Dabney, L.I.F.E. Program staff member, Tulsa Dream Center. “My desire is to provide wonderful opportunities for the kids and allow them to experience growth, change and overall fun! I want these kids to have lasting memories that will help set them up for the future.”

Tulsa Dream Center provides tutoring services to more than 400 students at three locations. This past year, they facilitated distance learning in response to COVID-19. The afterschool and summer programs provide character development through sports and recreation, allowing students to build comradery among their peers. With the addition of strategic partnerships, the organization’s food access services expanded to serve the community more than four million free meals.

Tulsa Dream Center’s programs include providing clothing for those in need as well, as school supplies, car seats, furniture and other essential items. The organization has partnered with St. John Health System and Good Samaritan Health Services in the medical clinic to provide primary care for uninsured individuals.

To learn more about Tulsa Dream Center, visit their website: https://www.tulsadreamcenter.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.