Latest news with #OFE
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OPINION: OPINION: Renewed hope to lift up Albuquerque families
May 5—In the world's largest economy, the sad reality is that over 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. With rising inflation and record-high living costs, too many Albuquerque families worry about choosing between buying medication or buying groceries. This day-to-day struggle prevents hardworking people from taking the necessary steps to improve their lives. In response to growing needs, the city of Albuquerque has launched a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) program. GBI recognizes that addressing poverty requires systematic change through direct economic support. This idea isn't new. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and President Richard Nixon supported similar approaches through their writings and policies. Both sides of the political aisle have agreed: When families do well, we all do better. The movement has been reinvigorated in over 150 communities across the country by a national coalition, "Mayors for Guaranteed Income." After months of community organizing and input, Mayor Tim Keller joined this alliance and announced the first Guaranteed Income Initiative for Albuquerque. We're inspired by the GBI programs in Santa Fe and Las Cruces and are excited to bring those proven positive impacts to Albuquerque. Past initiatives have demonstrated that participants in GBI are more likely to find long-term employment, experience stable housing and spend more quality time with their children. Finally approved by the Albuquerque City Council, our GBI program will pave a transformational path forward by addressing wealth and equity gaps in Albuquerque and offer real hope to struggling families through collaborative community leadership. This initiative is being led by community-based organizations, with programming overseen by the New Mexico Black Leadership Council and the Partnership for Community Action. The effort is supported by key partners including Albuquerque Public Schools, Prosperity Works and United Way of North Central New Mexico, which is administering the funds to families. The city of Albuquerque's Office of Equity & Inclusion (OEI) played a central role in bringing these partners together and securing funding to launch the initiative. The work is further supported by the advisory board of OEI's newly established Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE). Here's how it works: Eligible low-income families in the International District (District 6) and the Southwest area (District 3) will receive $750 per month, alongside financial counseling from OFE to help them plan for what comes after the program. The first cohort focuses on families in select elementary schools in underserved areas with high need. To protect privacy and build trust, the city won't collect personal data. Instead, we'll learn about the program's impact through anonymous stories and feedback from participants. At its core, this program is about giving people the tools and trust they need to build a better future. Funding for this initiative comes from the Cannabis Equity & Community Reinvestment Fund. The effort recognizes that cannabis criminalization has disproportionately impacted communities of color. Today, Hispanic, Native and Black populations in Albuquerque experience poverty at rates between 25% and 30%, more than double the 12% poverty rate of individuals who identify as white. This effort is about justice, equity and action. Community members, leaders and city departments came together to design a program that reflects the experiences and voices of those most impacted by systemic inequity. With GBI, Albuquerque is taking an important step toward healing historic wrongs and building a city where more families can thrive. In Albuquerque, we look out for one another. Guaranteed income is one more way we're lifting each other up, laying a stronger foundation for families, and building a more resilient, more united community for us all.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Grove teacher wins educational fellowship
GROVE, Okla. — A Grove teacher has been selected to attend a week-long history-based historical reenactment seminar. Keri Gregg, Grove Upper Elementary School teacher, was one of 37 teachers across the state selected to receive a fellowship to attend the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg. The fellowships cover program activities, airfare, lodging, and most meals. Each teacher also receives a $300 stipend for classroom materials. Gregg joins educators, Brandi Pierce, with the Turkey Ford School District, and Chelsie Clapp, a Commerce School District teacher, who attended the historical educational training in 2024. The restored capital city of 18th-century Virginia, Williamsburg, hosts the teachers. Attendees immerse themselves in early American history by meeting character interpreters, exploring primary sources, and participating in hands-on activities and reenactments. 'These fellowships provide an incredible opportunity for Oklahoma educators to learn and collaborate with their peers,' said Elizabeth Inbody, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence executive director. 'We're proud to facilitate such an exceptional professional development opportunity.' The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence coordinates the selection of educators from the state for fellowships to participate in the teacher institute. Gregg is part of the fifth-grade teacher institute, which takes place from June 1 to 6 and focuses on daily life in the American colonies from British colonization through the American Revolution. OFE, a nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma's public schools, has coordinated Oklahoma's participation in the teacher institute since 1993. The program is made possible through the leadership and support of the late Oklahoma City businessman Edward C. Joullian III. He was a former Colonial Williamsburg Foundation board member and OFE trustee. The fellowship program has served 1,225 Oklahoma teachers since 1993. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Three Payne County seniors awarded Academic All-Staters
Three Payne County high school seniors received Academic All-State honors from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Stillwater High senior Seojoon Kim and Matthew Li and Morrison High senior Caleb Veit were three of 100 public high school seniors from across Oklahoma who were named Academic All-State honorees for 2025, according to an OFE news release. 'These 100 students serve as a powerful example of academic excellence in Oklahoma's public schools,' said Elizabeth Inbody, executive director of OFE. 'By celebrating the All-State class and their educators, we reinforce the importance of public education in Oklahoma.' The All-State students hail from 67 schools in 62 school districts, according to the release. Each All-Stater receives a $1,500 award, an honor cord and a medallion, and will be honored at the 2025 Academic Awards Celebration May 10 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Students who apply for Academic All-Stater must either achieve an ACT composite score of at least 30; a combined SAT evidence-based reading and writing and math score of at least 1370; or be selected as a National Merit Semifinalist, the release said. Applicants face a 'rigorous' application process and are evaluated on academic achievement, leadership and community service. They must also write an essay and provide letters of recommendation. The committee, independent of other foundation activities, is comprised of business, education and civic leaders, in addition to past honorees. The 2025 All-Staters scored an average of 33 on the ACT, with 12 scoring a perfect score of 36, the release said. Their average weighted GPA is 4.36, and 34 are National Merit Semifinalists. Seojoon Kim Stillwater High senior Seojoon Kim is a U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate and class valedictorian, a National Merit finalist and Coca-Cola Scholarship semi-finalist. Kim also served as the senior class president and academic team captain. Seojoon Kim, SHS senior Kim founded the Stillwater Refugee Aid Foundation to support Afghan refugees. In his role as president of student council, he initiated a fundraiser for 40 Afghan refugee families who relocated to Stillwater, according to earlier reporting by the News Press. He founded and became president of the Stillwater Refugee Aid Foundation, which raised more than $1,700 for the families. Kim is a Schoolhouse moderator, violinist with the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra and state swimming medalist. He plans to study economics and public policy. As this story was going to press, the News Press learned that Kim had been selected and will serve until March 8 as a delegate for the U.S. Senate Youth Program, which includes a $10,000 college scholarship. He also served as a Page for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Kim told the News Press he was 'certainly excited' about serving in the youth program in Washington, D.C. 'Getting the opportunity to represent our state in the nation's capitol is a big honor,' Kim said. 'Meeting various government officials will inspire me to continue to promote the ideals of democracy and liberty in my home state and town.' Matthew Li Stillwater High senior Matthew Li is a Small and Rural Town Recognition Awardee, class valedictorian and an AP Scholar with Honor. Matthew Li, SHS senior Li has served as Secretary of the National Honor Society, an executive officer for Beta Club, a cabinet member for Senior Class Officers, an executive member of the Prom Committee and a section leader in the band. Li won the Drum Corps International World Championship with the Bluecoats and is a state champion pianist – but he is also an Eagle Scout and an employee at Braum's. Li told the News Press he was 'very ecstatic' to hear about the award. 'Being a part of a select 100 students from around Oklahoma is (a) very exciting thing to hear, and I'm incredibly honored to receive this award,' Li said. For his application, he listed his extracurricular activities, which included, among other things, his involvement in Boy Scout Troop 818, Drum Corps International, a senior class officer, a member of Crush Volleyball and a volunteer at the Stillwater Humane Society. 'I hope to begin my own business,' Li said. '... With the intersection of service, design, innovation, communication and management, I hope to use the skills I have developed to become an entrepreneur.' Callen Veit Morrison High senior Callen Veit is an International Science and Engineering Fair finalist, class valedictorian and National Champion in the FFA Agriscience Fair. Veit also serves as the Morrison FFA Chapter President, Student Council President and Senior Class President. Callen Veit, Morrison High senior Veit is a research intern at Oklahoma State University in the Animal and Food Science Department, per the release. He plans to major in Agribusiness: Pre-Law at Oklahoma State University. As a freshman, he will be a member of the President's Leadership Council. After graduating from OSU, he plans to receive a master's degree and pursue a career in agricultural policy. OFE was founded in 1985 and is a statewide nonprofit 'dedicated to recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma's public schools,' according to the release. The foundation presents $175,000 annually to honor outstanding public school students and educators through its Academic Awards Program. OFE has recognized 3,901 Academic All-State students from 342 school districts since its program inception in 1987.
