Way invites nonprofits to apply for WayFinder Grants

United Way of Central Oklahoma invites local 501(c)(3) nonprofits to submit new and innovative approaches to address health and human service needs in central Oklahoma to the fifth annual WayFinder Innovation Grant opportunity.

Successful grant recipients could receive up to $250,000 in one-time funding.

The proposed programs must be new and not yet exist in Oklahoma. Finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas in a ‘Shark Tank’ approach to a panel of community leaders. The panel will select the nonprofit(s) with the most promising and viable ideas to receive one-time funding from United Way of Central Oklahoma. To date, $882,000 has been awarded to 13 WayFinder programs.

“Innovation is at the heart of United Way’s mission, and we are constantly looking for new and inventive ways to support the needs of our community,” said United Way of Central Oklahoma President & CEO Debby Hampton. “The 13 groundbreaking WayFinder programs that have launched since 2019 are already impacting hundreds of Oklahomans and we are proud to continue providing an opportunity for local nonprofits to present the next round of life-changing ideas.”

An informational session for health and social services 501 (c)(3) nonprofits is set for Monday, May 15 from 10-11 a.m. Interested nonprofits should RSVP by emailing wayfinder@unitedwayokc.org by Thursday, May 11.

In 2023, three nonprofits were awarded $232,000 to launch their new programs.

• Pivot’s Preserves by Pivot will provide first-time jobs to youth to learn important business skills by developing and marketing Pivot Preserves – an artisanal jam product that will be specially made at Pivot.

• The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Youth Leadership Forum for Community Transformation is a three-day workshop offering an opportunity for high school students from the Oklahoma City Metro area to discuss and learn how to process difficult topics, developing their awareness and skills to lead in a diverse society.

• Calm Waters Center for Children and Families Incarcerated Oklahomans Grief Support Group will establish support group curriculum for detainees at the Oklahoma County Jail to provide an opportunity for them to process their grief and care for their mental well-being.

For more information on the WayFinder Innovation Grant, including award criteria, please visit unitedwayokc.org/wayfindergrant or email wayfinder@unitedwayokc.org.

About United Way of Central Oklahoma:

United Way of Central Oklahoma researches human needs within the communities of central Oklahoma and directs resources to accountable health and human services agencies to meet those needs by improving the health, safety, education and economic well-being of its most vulnerable citizens.

For more information about United Way of Central Oklahoma, visit www.unitedwayokc.org or call (405) 236-8441.

Center to host art show, sale

Healthy Living OKC, the first MAPS 3 Senior Wellness Center, is holding its annual Celebrate the Arts Show & Sale this weekend.

Eleven distinguished member artists and teachers are displaying their work for sale during the three-day event that is open to the public. They include: Patrick Riley, Dale George, Cynthia Thomas, Linda Burgett, Ursula Britt, Linda Hiller, Jordan Hutchins, Bob Kaiser, Diane Potter, Cheryl Swanson and Edna Woofter.

Show hours are Friday, May 12, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no cost to attend on Friday and Saturday.

Healthy Living OKC is a non-profit dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of those 50 and older.

Through a public-private partnership with the City of Oklahoma City, HLOKC offers a state-of-the-art wellness facility.

Shelters

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Nelson said. “If and when a storm may occur (which would require a search) the complete listing would be separated out in grid-like fashion and dispersed

O’HARA

From Page 1 consecutive year. In addition to selecting the Outstanding Actor and Actress, the awards committee is to honor the Outstanding Musical and Ensemble performances and present the Rising Star, selected by their peers and Spotlight Awards, given to an outstanding performer from each school who performed in a non-qualifying role.

“We are proud to recognize all of the phenomenally-talented students from right here in Oklahoma, and the fact that the show is back on the Civic Center stage making these even more special,” said Elizabeth Gray, executive director of OKC

School

From Page 1 context – to determine how well the parts work together to carry out the institution’s vision and meet the needs of every learner. Once an institution is accredited, it engages in similar preparation and review every five years to maintain that designation.

“The recognition as a Cognia School of Distinction attests to the phenomenal work this school is doing, ensuring that the culture and leadership provides a strong foundation for engagement and growth,” said Christina McCreary, Southwest Region director at Cognia. “It is with immense pride that Cognia recognizes and honors this stellar Oklahoma school.”

OKC FRIDAY Newspaper in Egypt

to the various departments to perform searches.”

Storm shelter registration for residents of Oklahoma City is also available online and is a free, voluntary service, a spokesman for the metro said.

In addition to registering a storm shelter, it is also vital that contact information is up to date.

Broadway.

For these services, go to okc.gov and click the “register my storm shelter” link under the visitor heading at the top of the page. If no internet access is available, call the Action Center at (405) 297-2535.

The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards) in New York occur on Monday, June 26. The Jimmy Awards is a coast-to-coast celebration of outstanding student achievement, recognizing individual artistry in vocal, dance, and acting performance.

“We are thrilled to nominate two of Oklahoma's most talented performers to compete nationally for the Jimmy Awards again this year,” Gray said.

The Outstanding Actress and Actor selected at the Kelli O'Hara Awards win all-expense paid trips to the Jimmy Awards to compete among 96 nominees from 48 regional awards programs.

To learn more about Positive Tomorrows, visit positivetomor- rows.org. To learn more about Cognia, visit cognia.org.