May – Hail Storm & Tornado Strong storms are expected in May, however there was nearly no way to prepare for the force of the massive hail storm that pummeled north Oklahoma City. Roofs, windows, siding, windshields and cars were heavily damaged. United Way of Central Oklahoma partnered with Oklahoma City Councilman Sam Bowman, Oklahoma City Emergency Management, Crossings Community Center, the Disaster Relief Team, and The Salvation Army to open a Damage Assessment Site. During this one day assessment, case workers gained information about the extent of damage not only to vehicles, but to homes and businesses. From the damage assessment, 61 windshields were replaced and 292 cases were worked. Some families who needed more than just windshield repairs were connected with case workers who helped them access critical services. Fastrack Auto Glass and Glass Guys, Inc. generously reduced their rate, making it possible for United Way of Central Oklahoma to replace the windshields of those who could not afford to replace it on their own.
June – Floods What started out as a damp commute to work quickly turned into a devastating morning. With rain continuing to pour down, drainage systems began overflowing, causing widespread flooding. Cars were stranded on city streets and the interior of homes and businesses became ponds. Following the floods, United Way of Central Oklahoma worked with numerous partners to reach out to those in the hardest hit areas. United Way Partner Agency Latino Community Development Agency hosted a Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Site that provided financial assistance to families in the affected area. In addition, United Way Partner Agencies The Salvation Army and American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma provided disaster relief services. Photo credits Far left (opposite page): City of Oklahoma City Above: City of Oklahoma City
Vital Signs United Way of Central Oklahoma is unique among other United Ways as being one of a very few to provide a community-based research publication for the general public. Oklahoma County Vital Signs has provided central Oklahomans with local, current trend data and research for nearly fifteen years and continues to serve as the only broad-based research publication of its kind in central Oklahoma. For many readers, Vital Signs serves as an introduction to new and emerging community trends, as was the case with Vital Signs: Human Trafficking Special Edition. The special edition on Human Trafficking has been distributed throughout the state as part of the outreach efforts of Oklahoman’s Against Trafficking of Humans (OATH). The issue also served as a valuable resource for Leadership Oklahoma City’s 2010-11 Youth In Action class, who selected human trafficking as their mission and funding focus. To view past issues of Vital Signs, visit http://www.unitedwayokc.org/about/vital-signs-report
Programs and Initiatives In 2010, United Way of Central Oklahoma convened nearly twenty state and non-profit agencies to develop a pilot project aimed at reducing the number of women sentenced to prison for non-violent offenses. The resulting program, ReMerge of Oklahoma County, is community based with services provided by non-profit agencies to help female offenders break the cycle of crime and addiction, restore family relationships, and lower incarceration and recidivism rates.
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