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. Youth Villages is a finalist in the Youth category.

“We are honored to be a finalist for the OKCNP ONE Awards,” said Erica Robinson, assistant state director, Youth Villages. “We love serving kids and families, and partnering with other like-minded organizations. It means a lot to be recognized for the work we do in the community.”

Founded in 1986, Youth Villages’ mission is to “help children and families live successfully.” The organization serves more than 520 youth from birth to 21 years old, every year. Employees service the 33 counties surrounding the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas.

Partnering with the Department of Human Services, Youth Villages works with youth who experience emotional, mental and behavioral issues, and are involved in the child welfare services. Through partnerships, the organization works to prevent young people from being removed from homes and reuniting those who are have been separated from their families.

“Thanks to Youth Villages, our family has a bright future ahead of us,” said an unnamed client, Youth Villages. “Youth Villages was the missing puzzle piece to our family back together.”

Youth Villages believes a stable family and a strong support system help children succeed. The organization has become a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health.

Their in-home service, Intercept, utilizes evidence-models that offer individualized programs to meet the needs of each child and families, in hopes that the child may remain in the home. Specialist meet with families an average of three times per week and offer 24/7 crisis support.

LifeSet, Youth Villages' community-based program, works with current and former foster children ages 17.5 to 21. It prepares them for life outside of the foster care system. LifeSet provides specialists to meet with participants at least once a week and provides them with 24/7 crisis support.

“LifeSet has allowed me to network and make connections with other youth, similar to me and from completely different walks of life,” said a former client, Youth Villages. “The program has given me tremendous support and guidance and has kept me motivated in reaching my goals.”

To learn more about Youth Villages visit their website: https://www.youthvillages.org/about-us/locations/oklahoma/.

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.