Pivot, Inc. » 2019 Awards

Biographical Info

Jennifer Goodrich right, accepts the 2019 award on behalf of Pivot, Inc. Presented by Alejandra Muller, president of the UN Association of OKC.

Award ceremony introduction as made by Bill Bryant of United Nations Association of OKC:

This is another organization that has been recognized with a Human Rights Award – Pivot, A Turning Point for Youth. They have been serving young people in Oklahoma County since 1972 . They work with young people who lack stability in their lives. Sometimes they are homeless or couch homeless, alone or disengaged. Almost all are ages 12 to 21 who have overwhelming barriers in their lives without the resources to overcome them and successfully transition into self-reliant adults.

Pivot is a trauma-informed and trauma- responsive organization. Many of you know what that means. They focus on providing services in the five domains of — basic needs and housing, education, employment, permanent connections, and well-being.

At Pivot, they help youth move from a life of fear and instability to one of hope and opportunity.

Jennifer Goodrich is the President and CEO of Pivot. She regards her co-workers as “the most caring, passionate and dedicated staff that are committed to meeting the needs of our community.”

We’re happy to recognize PIVOT as a champion of human rights in Oklahoma.

Nomination entry:

Established in 1972, Pivot, A Turning Point for Youth (“formerly Youth Services for Oklahoma County”), works with young people lacking stability in their lives. They are sometimes homeless or couch homeless, alone or disengaged. Almost all are ages 12 to 21 who have overwhelming barriers in their lives without the resources to overcome them and successfully transition into self-reliant adults.

Pivot is trauma-informed and trauma- responsive, with services focusing on the five domains of basic needs and housing, education, employment, permanent connections and well-being.

At Pivot, they help youth move from a life of fear and instability to one of hope and opportunity.

Pivot believes it’s society’s responsibility to provide a safe, nurturing environment that gives all children the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential, based on the following tenets:

– All children are valuable

– All children are vulnerable

– All children have the right to reach their fullest potential

– All children belong in a family whenever possible

– Families have the primary responsibility for their children

– Society is obliged to support families.

Guiding Principles address the following: Valuing Youth, Empowering Youth, Strengthening Families, Promoting Healthy Alternatives, Encouraging Community-Based Services, Collaboration, Employee Responsibilities and Cultural Diversity.

Integrity is the cornerstone of Pivot. As an organization they stand by strong principles to meet the needs of the community.  At all levels, from leadership, to finance, to program decisions are based on alignment of our mission, what is fair and decent, fills a need, and does it all through transparency.  Current initiatives include responding to the need of and making the community aware of the struggles of young people who are homeless, unaccompanied (no parental or family support), in foster care and aging out of foster care, those involved in juvenile justice system.  In addition to our long history of providing for needs in the areas of housing and basic needs, education, employment, establishing and improving permeant connections, and overall health and well-being (physical, emotional/mental, substance abuse, spiritual health, etc.)

Advocacy through legislative activity – collaborating with the Foster Care Alumni Association of America on legislation that will allow an increase of services provided to a demographic that are currently overlooked and marginalized and being active in educating legislators on the need and possible solutions.

In our Jumping from Risk to Opportunity and Connection program that works with young people in the juvenile justice system over a six-week time period.  During that time, they have one section totally dedicated to character building.  This helps them identify their own qualities, how to recognize them in others, and then focus on which ones they want to grow.  Key qualities include integrity, strength, kindness, forgiveness, tolerance, and empathy.  It all culminates in a Pay It Forward Project where they go out into the community in give back.  This has included packing resource bags of food, water, and basic hygiene products and delivering to the homeless in downtown Oklahoma City.  Honoring police officers by meeting with them and taking a “thank you” care package, which leads to interaction positive action between the officers and the members of the group, where before it was at times judgmental and even hostile.  This gives the opportunity for each to see the other in a different light, rebuilding and transforming perceptions.  Other activities included honoring teachers, probation officers, EMSA, anti-bullying campaigns, and a toy drive for Children’s Hospital.

Tiny Home Community project will allow for desperately needed housing for transitional age youth.  Our community has a responsibility to provide affordable housing, food, clothing, and resources to all people but especially those who by all rights should not have to provide it for themselves.  Through an Impact Grant and in partnership with many community businesses and volunteers they have started construction on three tiny homes that will serve as housing for young people in need.  These organizations, businesses, and professionals believe in our mission and see that they are consistently doing the next right thing, which leads to vital partnerships.  This initiative has the potential to grow to a community of 85 tiny homes.  This is not housing in isolation, a full array of services will teach needed life skills, advocate for educational needs, prepare for employment, address therapeutic, health and spiritual needs, and above all connect with young people in a way that builds respect, character, integrity and community, and the fulfillment and the protection of their rights.

Jennifer Goodrich, LPC, LADC is the President and CEO of Pivot she has 25 years of professional experience in non-profit, mental health and substance abuse counseling.  20 years of that experience at Pivot as a therapist, Clinical Director, Vice President of programs and now President and CEO.  Jennifer is a Licensed Professional Counselor Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, approved supervisor for both.  TF-CBT and EMDR trained as well as a TBRI (trust based relational intervention) practitioner.  Responsible for oversight of Pivot’s clinical functions, national accreditation and overall functioning of the organization.  Most importantly she gets the opportunity and blessing to lead the most caring, passionate and dedicated staff that are committed to meeting the needs of our community in both small and significant ways.  If awarded she would want the staff of Pivot to be fully recognized not just herself.