Sep 14, 2024-In the age of social media and nonstop texting by teens, it's more important than ever that we spend time teaching them how to effectively communicate with their peers, parents, and employers. Using games like Telephone, Heads Up and the "Trust" Drawing Exercise, we were able to have a light-hearted discussion about the importance of clear communication, peaceful conflict resolution and how to know when a conversation should be in-person vs via text. Our teens will be prepared to communicate better with each other, their families, teachers, coworkers and in professional settings.

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Aug 24, 2024-It was an Incredible Pizza Takeover! We hosted a fun, engaging kick-off that allowed our 7 new members in attendance to meet one another and participate in planning our youth development hangouts for the year. After the business of preliminary planning was done, we turned the teens loose to enjoy go karts and video games with each other. We look forward to a fun, productive year. See Kickoff Photos in the Gallery above.

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June 30, 2024 - The 7th Annual Ties to the Future and Circle of Success Event was a hit yet again. Our teens got the chance to network and learn from police officers, firefighters, fashion designers, elected officials, realtors, teachers, nurses, attorneys, entrepreneurs and more! Also each teen left with a swag bag that include a brand-new tie for the boys and a bracelet for each girl to remind them of the importance of making a great first impression and networking to create "ties to the future" and the importance of having a strong "circle of success" around you as a young person.

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May 15, 2024-Our teens had the chance to not only tour, Notis Studios, the only black-owned film studio in Oklahoma City, but to create a promotional video for Reach Forward. This was a great opportunity for our future stars in front and behind the camera to learn more and even test their skills. The video is featured at the top of this page. THANK YOU MR. DEKOVEN RIGGINS AND NOTIS STAFF FOR MAKING THIS GREAT HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE HAPPEN!

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May 10, 2024 - The Annual Mother's Day Bash was a major hit! Our youth played games, enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by our group dads and danced the night away with their moms. The most special part of the night was each teen (and some younger siblings in attendance) publicly paying special tribute to their moms ---there were few dry eyes to be found. This is an honored tradition to teach our teens to honor their parents and take time to tell them they love and appreciate them. We are still hearing from moms about the memories made and all the fun they had!

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March & April - We had to take a break---Next up Annual Mother's Day Celebration on May 10th and Notis Studios Tour & Film Session on May 25th!

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Feb 11,2024-- Today was a great day of learning about an important event that took place in Tulsa, OK. Today our mentees got to visit Black Wall Street Museum. The Mentees got to tour the museum and receive information about events that took place in 1921 to an African American Community in Tulsa, OK. We took the Mentees to the gathering place following lunch, and they got to hang and bond. Today was a great day of learning and hanging out getting to know each other. 

Jan 25, 2024-- Please remember the MLK parade has been rescheduled to January 27th 2024. Please make sure you have your mentee there by 12pm. Please watch out for details soon. 

Dec 9, 2023 -- 2023 has brought so many great opportunities to our mentee's. We came together to celebrate Martin Luther King by marching in the parade. Wet and wild fun at Hurrican Harbor. Our Mentee's got to explore many career options and gain important tools as they continue their education. What's a way to end a powerful impacted year than with a holiday gathering. It was great to see all the beautiful smiles of our mentee's and their families. We played some games and recognized some very important people that helps keeps things moving for Reach Forward Foundation. We are so proud of all of our mentees and the support we get from the families, and we are looking forward to what 2024 will bring Happy Holidays to all. 

Nov 11, 2023--Road trips are so much fun even better whn education is involved. Today we took a day trip to Texas to attend the Black College Expo in the Dallas area. The Expo was filled with some of the biggest HBCU's around the country. Our Mentees got to ask questions and receive on site acceptances. Sr. Tavia who is majoring in education was able to receive multiple onsite acceptances. Sophomore Kimari who is planning to major in Aviation was able to receive information from multiple universities. Overall, it was a great experience and the mentees really enjoyed the experience. I look forward to seeing all these great future leaders and their success. 

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Oct 13, 2023---We switched it up a bit this month, meeting up on a Friday instead of Saturday. Our crew wanted a cooking lesson, so that's exactly what they got thanks to the GBNOMO Cooking Class hosted at the Willa D. Johnson Rec Center. 16 of our mentees showed up to learn kitchen etiquette and make Walking Tacos. This youth-friendly meal consists of Doritos topped with ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, lettuce and any other taco toppings you desire all in the Doritos bag which is cut open to serve as a bowl - Thus a Walking Taco because you can walk while you eat it. See cooking class pics in the gallery.

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Sept 9, 2023---Skating & Social Skills...need I say more. We enjoyed nearly 2 hours of skating (slipping and falling too) at the Sky Rink @ Scissortail Park in beautiful downtown OKC followed by a discussion about social etiquette and communication using skating as a metaphor. Check out some fun pics in the gallery and below!

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August 12, 2023---We kicked off a brand-new program year with 16 mentees in attendance, including two brand-new mentees. Our mentees were able to practice such executive function skills as decision-making, critical thinking and prioritization as we divided them into table groups and had them create collaborative lists of the following to inform this year's programming: 4 desired skills, 4 places to go, 4 careers of interest, 4 discussion topics. Areas getting the most votes from our group included a service project for the homeless, visiting kids at Ronald McDonald House, Cooking Classes, Money Management, Social/Communication Skills and more! 

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