Pivot, Inc. is a nonprofit community organization that advocates, educates, intervenes and counsels youth and families to make a positive difference in their lives. Melanie Anthony, Director of Pivot OKC was our speaker last Tuesday, June 18, and spoke about this important non-profit that is making a huge positive impact on homeless teenagers in the Oklahoma City metro area. There are many young people in our community who need a safe, secure place to stay as well as access to basic necessities like food, personal hygiene items and clothing. Pivot offers support and resources through its food pantry and clothing closets, as well as short and long-term housing solutions. Whether in the child welfare system, living on their own without parental support, formerly juvenile justice involved, or runaway—they can provide safe, stable housing. Through Pivot, youth are equipped to dramatically change the trajectory of their lives — helping them transition from a life of fear and instability to that of hope and opportunity.
Pivot strives to address the root cause of behaviors, circumstances and barriers the youth they serve face. Their licensed therapists, youth advocates and specialists are trained to identify adverse childhood experiences that range from physical, emotional or sexual abuse, to community violence, parental divorce or the incarceration of a parent or guardian. Each young person who comes to Pivot has access to resources and services that address their physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health needs. Pivot can also help with depression, poor nutrition, high risk behaviors, substance abuse, anxiety, unlawful actions and grief.
In late April, Impact Oklahoma awarded Pivot one of their coveted $100,000 impact grants for our Pivotal Impact – Independent Living proposal. Impact Oklahoma’s funds will be used to build three tiny homes, each one with a bed, small kitchen and bathroom, right here on Pivot’s campus. These tiny homes will be the first in a planned community of individual homes to serve as transitional housing for Pivot’s young clients. Ultimately over 80 tiny homes are planned in this development. This is the beginning of what Pivot believes to be one answer to youth homelessness in our community. They believe the tiny home movement is a viable solution to housing youth desperately in need of a place to live. To find out more and to see how you can help go to : https://www.pivotok.org