At New Day Recovery Family and Youth Service, our mission extends beyond simply providing services to at-risk youth and their families. We believe in building bridges between our clients and the wider community, breaking down walls, misconceptions, and barriers that isolate vulnerable populations. As a nonprofit dedicated to youth rehabilitation and support for over 25 years, we have seen time and again the incredible benefits that come from fostering togetherness, understanding, and belonging.
The Challenges Facing At-Risk Youth
First, it is important to recognize the numerous challenges confronting many of the young people we serve. A variety of factors land youth in the custody of agencies like Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs (OJA) and the Department of Human Services (DHS), whether abuse, neglect, behavioral struggles, substance use disorders, involvement in the justice system, or a lack of stability at home. These adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be traumatic and have profound impacts on health and well-being long into adulthood.
At New Day, we provide critical counseling, case management, and rehabilitation to help young people heal. But we also must acknowledge that merely addressing troubles at an individual level is not enough. Lasting change requires the scaffolding of community. Our youth need to feel that they belong – that they are valued, that their voices are heard, and that they have people rooting for their success.
The Power of Connection
Decades of research point to social connection and integration as among the most vital protective factors for physical and mental health. Supportive bonds lessen the effects of trauma and stressors by quieting our body’s threat response. In positive community spaces, the hormone oxytocin is released, countering the “fight-or-flight” signaling of cortisol. Human beings are wired for belonging.
For marginalized groups and vulnerable populations especially, community ties can mean the difference between adversity and resilience. The presence of trusted peers, mentors, advocates and allies allows young people to feel seen and safe. It affords them comfort, inspiration, accountability, resources, and refuge.
Not only that, but integration helps to replace old narratives. Many at-risk youth struggle with feelings of unworthiness, guilt, or shame. The embrace of community conveys deep messages of acceptance – you are one of us. You matter. You deserve joy and possibility. That internal shift is the seed of lifelong transformation.
How We Build Inclusive Communities
So how do we foster this all-important sense of belonging between our clients and the wider community? It starts with relationship building. We have to be intentional about tying knots between our youth and supportive allies.
Engaged Volunteers & Mentors
One way we accomplish this is by bringing volunteers and mentors directly into our programs. We carefully screen community members who wish to donate their time, ensuring they are equipped for the commitment and sensitive to the experiences of our population. Mentors provide stable guidance to youth, modeling healthy behaviors and mindsets. Research on adverse childhood experiences shows that the consistent presence of just one loving, trusting adult can hugely sway outcomes for at-risk kids.
We also organize volunteers to assist with programs like crafting workshops, cooking classes, recreation activities, job readiness training, and cultural celebrations. This gives our youth and community members the chance to work side-by-side in an informal, affirming environment – the perfect fertilizer for empathy and camaraderie to bloom naturally.
Community Partnerships
In addition, New Day actively nurtures partnerships with various organizations and voices throughout Oklahoma City and the surrounding region. We collaborate with juvenile justice programs, child welfare coalitions, healthcare providers, faith groups, tribal services, equality advocates, and more.
These alignments allow us to expand our programming and refer clients to additional support contacts when needed. But just as importantly, they help give our youth visual confirmation that they have whole networks cheering them on. Seeing the logos of partner groups they recognize from their neighborhoods conveys subconscious signals – “You are part of this community mosaic. You are tied to this place.”
Cultural Inclusion
We also make certain that our services and messaging authentically reflect the cultural backgrounds of our clients. Oklahoma is home to incredible diversity – with vibrant Black, Latino, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities interwoven through the landscape. Over 60% of young people in DHS custody are Native American.
Thus, we ensure that staff and programming incorporate principles of cultural humility and intersectionality. We regularly re-evaluate our policies, materials, and approaches to mitigate bias and ensure historically marginalized groups in our care feel positively represented. Counseling incorporates traditional customs when appropriate, helping reinforce a solid sense of identity. Crucially, this philosophy extends across all partnerships – we ally ourselves with organizations that share the values of inclusion.
Client Advocacy
Finally, New Day empowers youth to use their voices as agents of systems change. We encourage them to speak at community forums, volunteer for causes they care about, and share their stories with policymakers. Civic participation allows young people to shift their self-perception from recipients of services to vital stakeholders. They begin to appreciate their own wounds not as liabilities, but as the heart of their healing gifts. It is this self-efficacy that transforms victims into leaders capable of uplifting their peers. And communities, in turn, are made more just, resilient, and rich in humanity.
Join Us!
At New Day Recovery Family and Youth Service, we recognize that we all do better when we all do better. If you are a community member interested in volunteering, partnering, or finding other ways to get involved, we welcome you! Building bridges requires all hands from every corner of the community. To learn more about our work and impact, call us at (405)-525-0452 or visit our website at www.newdayok.org. Together, we can foster belonging and possibility for Oklahoma City’s incredible youth.