In an unanimous decision, Cleveland County Commissioners approved a substantial grant allocation to bolster local nonprofit initiatives. The total sum of $475,000, sourced from the American Rescue Plan, is divided to address two critical issues plaguing the community: substance abuse and youth homelessness, as reported by the Cleveland County.
Hope Center Ministries, backed by faith and commitment, is set to receive $250,000 of the grant. While it focuses on substance abuse and behavioral health needs, the funds will also serve to plant the seeds for a new recovery center in Cleveland County. Designed to run a 12-month residential recovery program, the new center is anticipated to open its doors in early 2025. "Engaging faith-based partners with a record of success is key in providing mental health and substance abuse services to our neighbors in need," District 2 Commissioner Jacob McHughes stated, according to a Cleveland County announcement. He further elaborates that Hope Center doesn't merely offer handouts but a "hand-up" focusing on breaking addiction's cycle, workforce reentry, and integrating local church support for lasting impact.
Hope Center Ministries, with over fifty locations nationwide and six in Oklahoma communities, is not new to such endeavors. However, for the first year of operations, the newly allocated grant will primarily cover staffing costs, ensuring that Cleveland County residents receive these necessary services. Hope Center Ministries VP of Partner Relations, Mark Hall, told Cleveland County officials, “The grant will provide the seed funding needed to help establish a Hope Center campus in the local community and expand our services to Cleveland County residents."
Bridges of Moore, another beneficiary of the grant, will put their $225,000 towards the Building Bridges Campaign. The initiative recently broke ground on the Bridges of Moore Village, consisting of 10 duplexes, housing for resident advisors, and a student center. Given the steady rise of unaccompanied homeless youth in Moore Public Schools, by a staggering 325% in recent years, this project stands as a beacon of hope. “These homes will provide hope to Moore students who, due to no fault of their own, are experiencing homelessness. Education can be the great equalizer and with a stable living environment, these students have the chance to make a generational change in the trajectory of their lives,” McHughes said, in a sentiment echoed by Bridges Executive Director Stacy Bruce, who thanked the Cleveland County Commissioners for bringing them closer to supporting students in crisis, as mentioned by the Cleveland County.
Both projects tackle the priorities laid out in Cleveland County's community assessment and have garnered support for their potential long-term benefits. As individuals struggling with addiction find support and youth in need gain access to stable housing, these initiatives are a testament to the community's commitment to uplift and transform the lives of its residents in tangible ways.
