Each year, Flourish OKC selects an issue facing the city to focus on for 12 months. They host an annual celebration to honor and bless the ministries on the frontlines of that issue, working to help people flourish.

In 2020, the Flourish OKC focus is “Restorative Justice”. Their website describes “restorative justice” as “a system of criminal justice which focuses on the rehabilitation of the offenders, the healing of the victims and the repair of the community at large. These practices work to break cycles of generational trauma, to interrupt the trajectory of generational incarceration, to restore all people impacted by both crime and incarceration, and to invest in future generations so that all in our city can flourish.”

The Stronger Together Flourish Award is a reflection of our strong partnership with Branch15. Over the last several years, we have worked together to help women as they create new lives for themselves and their families after incarceration.

When our Women in Transition graduates leave prison, we recommend living in transitional housing to provide structure and support to their first days and months of freedom. In the OKC area, Branch15 is one of our go-to transitional home partners. Many of our graduates live there with staff and other residents that we know and trust. When Branch15 residents are ready, we match them with Stand in the Gap families to mentor them as they work to maintain employment, finish education, find an independent home, and reunite with children.

We truly are stronger for our partnership with Branch15 and honored to receive this award. Instead of their usual awards event, this year Flourish hosted smaller gatherings to honor award recipients. Branch15 and a few of our staff celebrated being “Stronger Together” one evening last month.

Watch the Flourish Award video (3 minutes) from that evening to learn more about the awesome organization that is Branch15 and how we work together!