Oklahoma City, OK – Programs and services that are addressing an increasing and ever changing mental health landscape in Oklahoma are critical in tackling mental illness, homelessness and a host of other challenges faced by Oklahomans of all creeds and backgrounds. Mental Health Association Oklahoma has been named as the 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion for their work in the Oklahoma City community removing economic barriers and advancing mental healthcare and economic opportunity.
One in four Oklahomans are impacted by mental illness, and many individuals who are experiencing mental illness and/or homelessness often do not know how to access critical community resources. The Lottie House is a peer-run drop-in center that focuses on creating a welcoming atmosphere where those in need can access those vital resources and build and maintain community life free from the stigma of mental illness and homelessness.
As part of the program, Mental Health Association Oklahoma will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity for engagement in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability and storytelling.
“We understand that nonprofits who are on the ground, working directly with those most in need are best equipped to address the wide range of challenges facing Oklahomans,” said Tony Shinn, president, Bank of America Oklahoma City, “This is why Bank of America is committed to directing not only capital, but also the necessary resources and training to help position high-performing nonprofits, like Mental Health Association Oklahoma, and their leadership teams for long-term success as they grow strategically and continue to create positive impacts on mental health outcomes in our community.”
The Association began in 1955 in Tulsa and went statewide in 2012, and it is the premier, boots-on-the-ground organization dedicated to providing equitable access to citizens impacted by mental health, homelessness, substance abuse, and justice involvement. They will use their grant funding to strengthen their leadership team and support several of their outreach programs, including the Street Outreach and Rapid Response team, Peer Recovery Support Services, and the Community Health and Wellness street medicine team.
“Our mission to help Oklahomans wherever they are is both broad in scope, and deep in complexity, and our services have never been more in need,” said Terri White, CEO for the Mental Health Association. “The support from business leaders in our community like Bank of America is vital to the success of our mission, and their grant will directly benefit Oklahomans experiencing homelessness every day.”
In Oklahoma City, four nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Champions since 2019, with the bank investing $200,000 into these local organizations and their leadership.
The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and organizations are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Champion honorees.
The Neighborhood Champions program is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders®, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. Through 2021, Bank of America has invested $6.3 million in 126 organizations within 42 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program.
Mental Health Association of Oklahoma
MHAOK is the state’s premier boots on-the-ground nonprofit whose expertise and work exists primarily at the intersection of mental illness and homelessness – fighting every day to promote mental health, prevent suicide, end homelessness, and transform the justice system.
Bank of America Environmental, Social and Governance
At Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).
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Reporters May Contact:
Adi McCasland
Mental Health Association Oklahoma
405.250.6331
Britney Sheehan
Bank of America
425.467.9744