This morning at 10:00 a.m., a new group of women at the Cleveland County Detention Center turned a page, as they celebrated their graduation from the Elevation Station program, a 10-week initiative that focuses on financial education and personal growth, according to a post by the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office - OK.
The program, led by Michelle Reynolds, Growing Oaks Director of Education, provides instruction on budgeting, debt reduction, savings, credit repair, and long-term financial planning. It also includes elements of spirituality and personal reflection. Some participants began the course while incarcerated but were released before its conclusion. Reynolds wrote letters to their judges to highlight the progress the participants made during the program.
Reynolds, impressing upon the graduates the lasting significance of what they had learned, told them, "These are tools you can carry with you when you walk out of here—tools that can help you rebuild, make confident decisions, and move your family forward," a sentiment echoed by the sheriff's office which took to social media to express pride in the graduates' dedication and thankfulness for Growing Oaks' partnership in rehabilitation efforts through such programs, as per the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office post.
Graduates of the Elevation Station program received their certificates of completion, marking a key step in their reintegration process. The program provides training in employment readiness, financial planning, and re-entry support, aiming to equip participants with practical skills to help them navigate life after incarceration.
