Since 1925, Upward Transitions has been serving those in need in Central Oklahoma, making the organization one of the oldest social services agencies in the community. Regardless of age, race, income, lifestyle, religion, or culture, people in need can always turn to Upward Transitions for help.
Mission: prevent generational poverty through community collaboration, emergency relief and empowerment, therefore inspiring hope with our neighbors experiencing housing instability.
Rodney has been sober for six months, has obtained housing, and is employed driving a forklift.
He was unhoused for five years and was in crisis with no family or anyone to ask for help.
One of our community partners referred him to Upward Transitions to obtain his ID so he could have access to housing, employment, and other social services. He also enrolled in an addiction program and is hopeful about the future.
“I know for a fact, if I didn’t have that help through Upward Transitions, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I was stuck.” Ruby and her daughter are thriving! She is now the Head Chef at a restaurant.
Eight months ago, Ruby left everything at her home and fled a domestic violence situation. She didn’t know what she was going to do.
She was staying at a hotel with her funds running low when she was referred to Upward Transitions to obtain birth certificates for herself and her young daughter. Upward Transitions provided her with gas cards to support her transportation to the new job, a resource for the required uniform and shoes she needed for work, and other community resources to meet her childcare, self-care, and housing needs.
“Anytime I would need something, I would call the Upward Transitions case manager and ask. Even if she couldn’t help with it, she always referred me to someone who could. It was positive support, like ‘it’s going to be okay.’ Support for my daughter too!” explained Ruby.
In FY24, with a staff of 12, Upward Transitions assisted 4,025 people in 2,802 households.
In FY 2024, 84 cents of every dollar donated to Upward Transitions went toward client programs.
Upward Transitions is an entirely debt-free organization, including owning its building and facilities.
To ensure Upward Transitions’ longevity for another 100 years to serve those facing the threat of poverty and homelessness the organization has set a goal to raise $1,000,000 for its endowment fund to sustain its services in perpetuity. Upward Transitions invites you to join in this mission and to link your legacy with ours for the next century.
This is a unique opportunity to truly maximize your gift. During this initial offering, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund (www.kirkpatrickfamilyfund.org) is matching a percentage of the funds received. This increases the value of all donations made before August 31, 2025.
Upward Transitions’ endowment fund with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation (occf.org) is similar to a savings account that only distributes a portion of the interest. It grants 5% of the fund each year, and it never runs out. Endowment funds are invested for long-term growth and eventually give back more than is put into them.
Your gift to our endowment will give back its full value to us within 15 years and then continues to give even more. In this way, your gift today is your legacy and will keep giving back again and again forever.
Our endowment with OCCF was established in 1986 with a $4,200 gift from Ernst and Whinney Accounting and a $1,000 gift from the Friends of Travelers Aid Society. Our endowment has received $69,725 in gifts, but it has given back $126,180 to Upward Transitions over the past 38 years.
We are so thankful for their foresight and faith in our future!
Contact Conna Dewart at 405-232-5507 x 113 or
Email: cdewart@UpwardTransitions.org or
Go to: upwardtransitions.kindful.com and
Choose “Endowing a Second Century” from the drop-down menu
Donors of $1,000 or more are eligible for membership in Upward Transitions exclusive Circle of Hope.
Recurring gifts qualify donors for membership in Upward Transitions Friends of Hope.