January 23, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: UPWARD TRANSITIONS RECEIVES GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION FOR 100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OKLAHOMANS IN NEED
OKLAHOMA CITY – Local nonprofit organization, Upward Transitions, received the Oklahoma Governor’s Commendation in recognition of 100 years of service to Central Oklahomans, “empowering and inspiring hope for individuals experiencing homelessness and those in need.”
“Congratulations on this milestone,” added Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, “and well done!”
Upward Transitions is celebrating its centennial with special events every month of 2025. Upward Transitions’ journey from 1925 to today is marked with integrity, generosity, devotion, resilience, and determination to empower and bring hope to its neighbors in need.
CEO, Periann Pulliam stated, “Upward Transitions is grateful and honored by this commendation. Our staff, board of directors, and volunteers are excited to celebrate 100 years of serving our community. We are so proud of the work of those who came before us, and we are committed to building on their legacy into a second century.”
Upward Transitions provides specialized programs and case management to help meet basic social needs of the most vulnerable in the community. This Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits’ Standard of Excellence Certified organization assists Oklahoma County families and individuals who are struggling with homelessness and at risk of losing their homes and stability as well as stranded travelers in crisis.
Originally founded as the Travelers Aid Society in 1925 the organization assisted stranded travelers at Santa Fe Station and expanded its services to Union Railroad Station and the downtown bus station in 1951. In 1973, the organization established an information booth at Will Rogers World Airport, and in 1987, Travelers Aid Society began additional services to assist those experiencing homelessness. In 2008, the organization changed its name to Upward Transitions. Today, in its office near downtown Oklahoma City, Upward Transitions works to fulfill its’ mission “to prevent poverty through community collaboration, emergency relief and empowerment, therefore inspiring hope with our neighbors experiencing housing instability.”
In its fiscal year of 2024, with a staff of just 12, Upward Transitions assisted 4,025 people in 2,802 households including 1,084 children, and the organization’s Travelers Aid volunteers at OKC Will Rogers International Airport dedicated nearly 6,400 hours to assisting 152,790 visitors.
For information about Upward Transitions and its programs and services or centennial celebration events, visit www.upwardtransitions.org, or contact Conna Dewart, Development and Public Relations Manager at 405-232-5507 or cdewart@upwardtransitions.org.
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