The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy has graduated the second class of its Advocacy Boot Camp while welcoming a new group of participants into the year-long leadership and advocacy program.
The Stillwater-based transition marks the beginning of Advocacy Boot Camp Class III, whose members will participate in sessions across Oklahoma aimed at strengthening their ability to advocate on issues affecting children, families and communities. The program, commonly known as “ABC,” is sponsored annually by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA).
Members of Class III began the program during an inaugural meeting in Stillwater, while Class II participants were recognized at a graduation ceremony held at Hideaway Pizza in the city.
“Oklahoma’s children need for adults to be their collective voice when it comes to both advocating and leading,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “Participants in our ABC classes improve their skills as advocates and become even more productive in their communities.”
Advocacy Program Builds on Earlier Oklahoma Initiative
Advocacy Boot Camp is an updated version of OICA’s Kids Count Leadership Program, which operated from 1995 through 2010. The current initiative is designed to introduce participants to resources, advocacy strategies and policy issues that can help improve quality of life for Oklahoma children and residents.
“The foundation of any community, any state, is caring people willing to learn and then put that knowledge to work,” he said. “Advocacy’s primary purpose is to raise awareness, influence decision-makers, and bring about positive social, legal or systemic change – ABC provides participants with the tools to be even more effective in that effort.”
According to Licia Walters, OICA’s program director, the multi-session curriculum focuses on helping participants strengthen their advocacy skills while developing a better understanding of major issues affecting children.
“This is always the primary goal of the ABC,” she said. “Knowledge is power in advocacy, and ABC is designed to make sure participants have the knowledge they need to make a difference.”
Class III Sessions to Travel Across Oklahoma
ABC Class III will meet in several communities across the state, providing participants with exposure to both urban and rural areas. After beginning in Stillwater, the program is scheduled to travel to Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Tahlequah and Ada.
The final Class III session will overlap with the incoming Class IV, providing continuity between the annual groups.
“Our first two classes are proving to be the next generation of policy leaders for our state; we expect nothing less from those participating in Class III,” Dorman said.
“Trained advocates are a renewing natural resource that have the skills to lead organizations in communities across the state, working at the grassroots level to make Oklahoma a better place for its youngest residents, and some of our participants already have even run for an elective office.”
Advocacy Boot Camp Class II Graduates
Class II graduates represent nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, public agencies and community organizations across Oklahoma.
Graduates include Te’Ata Loper of the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association; Cara Carllson of Swanky Door Decore; Delainna Percifield and Madison Thompson of CREOKS; Clotiel Howard of Hope for the Future, Inc.; Suzanne Hughes of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children, Inc.; Erika Johnson of American University; and Lillian Bocquin of Honestly, an Oklahoma City nonprofit.
The class also includes Aanahita Ervin of Oklahoma Policy Institute; Meghan Hollingsworth of Pioneer Library System; Melissa Klink, CEO of the Center for Children and Families in Norman; Chaunte’ Gilmore; Nicholas Kindelt of Tulsa Area United Way; Rebekka Lucas, OICA Board Vice President and Director of Operations and Finance for the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts; and Anthony Hernandez-Rivera of the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General.
New Class Brings Together Community and Policy Professionals
ABC Class III includes Emily Oberg and Molly Ziriax of CREOKS; Chantal Rocha of Western Plains Youth and Family Services; Nena Walker of the Center for Children and Families; Michele DeBerry, Director of The Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities and The Oklahoma Autism Network; and Marny Dunlap of OU Health.
Other participants are Haley Ann Hegwood and Diego McCollum of the Potts Family Foundation; Kathleen Bates of KB Custom Solutions, LLC; Jennifer Hunt of Great Plains Child Care Resource and Referral; Abbie Stewart, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Arc of Oklahoma; Terrell Johnson of Pivot, Inc.; retired educator Claudia Swisher; Erika Wright of Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice; and Shelley Hawkins of OKC Market for Family & Children’s Services.
The class is rounded out by Drew France, Senior Director for CAP Tulsa; Julia Smith, Pediatric Pandemic Network hub site manager at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital; Zac Swartz, USDA Rural Development Director; retired Oklahoma Army National Guard Col. Kevin Roland, State Youth Programs Director for Sooner Job Challenge; and OICA intern Ashley Helm.
Through the year-long program, participants will continue developing advocacy and leadership skills intended for use in organizations and communities across Oklahoma.
