Growing Together is known as a community quarterback. That means we guide and support community members, organizations and funders to create vibrant communities for children. To be a successful neighborhood, children must have the right conditions to live, learn and thrive. We work to change the fundamental conditions of a neighborhood to benefit kids, making it a more attractive, mixed income neighborhood for families and businesses.
But we don’t want to reinvent the wheel. Our job is to be the connection between businesses, non-profit organizations and other programs. Together, we can all improve our neighborhoods.
Learn more about the science and research of developing neighborhoods here.
This 3-year Strategic Plan represents Growing Together’s vision for a thriving, equitable and inclusively-grown neighborhood, centered in a set of results that describes the future state of what we are trying to achieve alongside our community.
Eliminate inequalities that stand in the way for families in vulnerable neighborhoods to succeed.
Working alongside community members in Tulsa to create the conditions that we all want for our own kids: great schools; quality, affordable housing; safe and amenity-rich public spaces, and are invested in the economic development and vibrancy of the community.
Before founding Growing Together, Kirk Wester-Rivera studied social work and psychology
and became a Clinical Director at Human Skills & Resources. He is a licensed
psychotherapist and addictions counselor. During his previous career, Kirk learned to
understand the obstacles that individuals face and how to help them navigate toward
good health. As Founder of Growing Together, Kirk was ready for the challenge of
drawing experiences of living in the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood for several years. He
loves that Growing Together is centered around people and is an avenue for a drive to
change communities.
Onelia comes to Growing Together with a deep passion for families and children living in Kendall-Whittier. Before working for our team, Oneila worked as a Director of Family Service at Tulsa Educare. She also served as a Communities In Schools of Mid-America Lead Site Coordinator at Kendall Whittier and Sequoyah Elementary school. Each day Onelia works at being a trusted advocate among families in our Latinx and Hispanic community. She has a desire to create a lasting change at a deeper scale and sees her role at Growing Together playing a huge role in creating this change.
cfqAnahi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. Being connected to the Kendall–Whittier neighborhood, she is ready to utilize her efficiency and listening skills to help solve problems and overcome obstacles to support students and families at Sequoyah Elementary School. Anahi feels she has a passiontofurther people’s future and help those that need it the most, and that’s why she is so excitedto behelping studentsthrough the CIS program at Growing Together. She aspires for to help her students reach their goals and impact the next generation. Anahi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. Being connected to the Kendall–Whittier neighborhood, she is ready to utilize her efficiency and listening skills to help solve problems and overcome obstacles to support students and families at Sequoyah Elementary School. Anahi feels she has a passiontofurther people’s future and help those that need it the most, and that’s why she is so excitedto behelping studentsthrough the CIS program at Growing Together. She aspires for to help her students reach their goals and impact the next generation. ewf
Before joining the Growing Together team, Jessica was a teacher at Kendall-Whittier Elementary school for eight years. During that time, she was awarded teacher of the year and became a National Board-Certified reading specialist. Since her time at Kendall-Whiter Elementary, Jessica has worked as an instructional coach with Tulsa Public Schools and a graduate research and teaching assistant at Oklahoma State University. With her experience at the school site level, district level, and in higher education, she has an in-depth understanding of how these various systems interact within the local context. With this understanding, Jessica plans to make a difference in the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood by helping to break down barriers between schools and the families they serve.
Lenora holds her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. Prior to joining Growing Together, she gained experience in her previous roles as an investment operations analyst, project coordinator, and grant staff manager. These positions taught her the value of relationships inside and outside the workplace. Lenora believes meaning is found in giving and serving others, and she is honored to be a part of Growing Together’s commitment to Kendall-Whittier.
cfqAnahi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. Being connected to the Kendall–Whittier neighborhood, she is ready to utilize her efficiency and listening skills to help solve problems and overcome obstacles to support students and families at Sequoyah Elementary School. Anahi feels she has a passiontofurther people’s future and help those that need it the most, and that’s why she is so excitedto behelping studentsthrough the CIS program at Growing Together. She aspires for to help her students reach their goals and impact the next generation. Anahi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. Being connected to the Kendall–Whittier neighborhood, she is ready to utilize her efficiency and listening skills to help solve problems and overcome obstacles to support students and families at Sequoyah Elementary School. Anahi feels she has a passiontofurther people’s future and help those that need it the most, and that’s why she is so excitedto behelping studentsthrough the CIS program at Growing Together. She aspires for to help her students reach their goals and impact the next generation. ewf
cfqAnahi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. Being connected to the Kendall–Whittier neighborhood, she is ready to utilize her efficiency and listening skills to help solve problems and overcome obstacles to support students and families at Sequoyah Elementary School. Anahi feels she has a passiontofurther people’s future and help those that need it the most, and that’s why she is so excitedto behelping studentsthrough the CIS program at Growing Together. She aspires for to help her students reach their goals and impact the next generation. Anahi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. Being connected to the Kendall–Whittier neighborhood, she is ready to utilize her efficiency and listening skills to help solve problems and overcome obstacles to support students and families at Sequoyah Elementary School. Anahi feels she has a passiontofurther people’s future and help those that need it the most, and that’s why she is so excitedto behelping studentsthrough the CIS program at Growing Together. She aspires for to help her students reach their goals and impact the next generation. ewf
cfqAnahi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. Being connected to the Kendall–Whittier neighborhood, she is ready to utilize her efficiency and listening skills to help solve problems and overcome obstacles to support students and families at Sequoyah Elementary School. Anahi feels she has a passiontofurther people’s future and help those that need it the most, and that’s why she is so excitedto behelping studentsthrough the CIS program at Growing Together. She aspires for to help her students reach their goals and impact the next generation. Anahi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa. Being connected to the Kendall–Whittier neighborhood, she is ready to utilize her efficiency and listening skills to help solve problems and overcome obstacles to support students and families at Sequoyah Elementary School. Anahi feels she has a passiontofurther people’s future and help those that need it the most, and that’s why she is so excitedto behelping studentsthrough the CIS program at Growing Together. She aspires for to help her students reach their goals and impact the next generation. ewf
Perla Rodriguez
Bree works as the CIS Program Director, overseeing the CIS Program and ensuring site coordinators have what they need to help students succeed. Bree previously worked as the site coordinator at Eugene Field Elementary School, where she helped equip students with resources they needed to feel empowered to achieve their goals. With an interest in helping others, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Lit with an emphasis in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Advocating for her students and creating a positive impact are two things she feels passionate about.
Prior to joining Growing Together, Alex worked for a mental and behavioral health non-profit organization where he helped youth with their behavior management skills. With a passion for helping others, he obtained an Associate’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Oklahoma State College and is currently in the process of finishing his Bachelor’s degree. Growing Together’s mission of aiding students in an effort for them to be successful in school brought Alex to our organization. He is excited to collaborate with Sequoyah Elementary School and the community to help improve the wellbeing of his students.
Before working for Growing Together, Destinee worked in a variety of education fields, first as a high school science teacher and middle school girls’ basketball and volleyball coach, then as a site coordinator at a local community-based educational partner for their elementary after-school program and more recently worked at as elementary school as a guidance counselor. Destinee is currently working on her EdD in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Teaching. She is eager to serve students and families through a community perspective and to be able to address the needs of some of the most vulnerable students in her school.
As a former Tulsa Public Schools teacher, Alexandra believes in being a resource for student success. She studied at Northeastern State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and minors in Applied Linguistics and Creative Writing. She later graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master of Arts in Teaching in TESOL. Alexandra grew up visiting Tulsa and fell in love with Kendall-Whittier. She is excited to use the skills she developed in the classroom to continue supporting students in our community.
Clarinda holds her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Langston University and master’s degree in management from Southern Nazarene University. After growing up in Tulsa, Clarinda is passionate about making a difference in her community by being visible and present for her neighbors. Before joining our team, she worked as a special education teacher, where she developed her strengths in adaptability, empathy, communication and time management. Her time working in schools has prepared her to help the students and families at Webster Middle School, and she is excited to help them grow and succeed.
After graduating with a master’s degree in professional counseling from Oral Roberts University, Monique first began working with kids as a behavioral interventionist for children with autism. In this role, she learned how to hold space for the children she was serving and developed her passion for helping kids. Monique looks forward to bringing her skills in empathy and encouragement to her new role as a site coordinator at Webster High School, where she will work to plant the seeds of positivity and motivation to help the students succeed in school.
After graduating high school, Alicia began her career dedicated to supporting children and families. She previously served as Program Manager for the Life Launch program at Stand in the Gap ministries, where she provided mentorship for at-risk youth. As a resident of Kendall-Whittier, Alicia is passionate about the impact Growing Together is making on children and families in the community. She is eager to use her relational skills to help the students and neighborhood residents reach their full potential.
For the last four years, Norma was an AmeriCorps member and served as a parent educator as well as a Literacy Lead with Reading Partners. During these positions, she realized that several Tulsa families in need do not know how to get help or support. This is what brought Norma to Communities in Schools. With a heart full of respect, empathy and compassion, Norma can work to connect students with resources to help improve their lives and stay motivated. She studied business administration in Chihuahua, Mexico, prior to joining AmeriCorps.
Omar has served with Tulsa Public Schools since the beginning of his career. He holds his Associate’s of Arts in Elementary Education from Tulsa Community College and is working towards a Bachelor’s of Elementary Education at Northeastern State University. His experience in various leadership roles in the community and serving TPS students helped Omar realize his passion for helping students and families find successful futures. His work with Growing Together is important to him because he sees his upbringing resembled in many of the students he works with. Omar is honored to advocate for Tulsa’s vulnerable communities and help others reach their full potential.
Previously working as a DHS social worker and then as a pre-school teacher, Susan has always had a passion for helping children. Now, she is a site coordinator at Rogers College High School. Susan believes that every child deserves to be accepted and given encouragement to achieve success. Each day she works to provide students with resources to help their families while reminding students to focus on graduation, providing encouraging along the way. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology of Organization and Administration with a business minor from the Oklahoma State University.
Harriet has always had a passion for serving others, leading her to pursue a degree in Social Work from Northeastern State University. Prior to joining the Growing Together team, she worked for the State of Oklahoma in the Adult Protective Services department. In that role, she learned how to work with a variety of people with different backgrounds, which allows her to really understand the needs of others. Harriet is proud to work for Growing Together because she knows our organization promotes the growth and learning of all students. She is excited to continue engaging with her community at Will Rogers Junior High School, where she hopes to lead by example for her students.
Jasmine joins Growing Together with prior experience supporting children in a school setting. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language Education with a focus on Spanish. Over her five years teaching Spanish in middle school and high school, Jasmine became aware of some of the greater needs in our schools, and she is eager to tend to those needs through her work with the CIS Program. She believes in the power of learning and is eager to contribute to the positive growth and development of students.
Anna is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. Before joining Growing Together, Anna worked in the medical field, performing administrative tasks and aiding in patient relations. As a Tulsa native, she is passionate about positively impacting the community and believes today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. Anna uses her empathy and adaptability to provide the children and families she works with the support they need for a successful future.
Reyna has been making a positive impact in Tulsa for over 13 years. After studying to become a HealthCare Assistant at Platt College, she worked as a Medical Spanish Interpreter to support underserved communities before moving to work with students and families in both in and out-of-school time programs. Additionally, she has prior nonprofit and school support experience where she gained the skills to mentor students that needed it the most. Currently, she is studying Business Administration at Tulsa Community College. She is passionate about Growing Together’s dedication to providing resources and advocating for students and their families.
“Throughout my career in both real estate and social services, I have seen the direct positive impact a neighborhood can create for individuals and families. By serving on the board of Growing Together, I can now be part of a concentrated effort and play more of a direct role in the revitalization and sustainability of neighborhoods all across Tulsa.”
“What motivates me to serve on Growing Together’s Board is the opportunity to empower a community to build a better future. Growing Together focuses on removing barriers for individuals and encourages leaders to address social and economic issues by focusing on rebuilding neighborhoods. Participating on this board offers me the ability to help strengthen the future of your city and state.”
“I started working with Growing Together in 2016 and saw the impact they were making in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood and school. They affect lives everyday and their success in creating diverse, sustainable partnerships towards real outcomes for our community excites me to help serve them in any way!”
“Growing Together plays an important role in the development of an inclusive neighborhood that offers opportunities for the children of our city to grow and thrive. I am excited to serve on the board and give back in this way to Kendall-Whittier, a community that welcomed my family’s business into the neighborhood.”
“It is so important to comprehensively address neighborhoods in Tulsa so that we can see the best outcomes for children and families. I’m excited to learn more about Kendall-Whittier and the neighbors so that I can better understand the challenges and opportunities of this neighborhood.”
“I arrived to Tulsa 11 years ago with Supermercados Morelos, and since then, I have seen this city grow, as well as its needs. I am always looking for opportunities to collaborate and give back a part of the much we have received. Now the opportunity is given as a member of the GT BOD and my experience can be used to achieve a common target: to provide a well deserved education for our kids and take care of the families. If we have a good education and a sense of family, we will have a better city.”
Staying Warm This Winter – CIS COAT DRIVE Let’s share the warmth this winter by donating coats to students in our community. Please bring your new or gently used coats,
Veronica Rojas-Sotelo has a special place in the heart of Kendall-Whittier neighborhood because she grew up in the community. Her family relocated from Mexico to
Since 2011, Growing Together has been committed to making changes and implementing programs that help create healthy neighborhoods for children. Currently serving the Growing Together
New program helps TPS teachers buy affordable homes near neighborhood schools By NOUR HABIB A new collaborative housing program will provide up to $56,000 in
Growing Together says new data system will help track student achievement By NOUR HABIB A local nonprofit working with several Tulsa Public Schools sites has
Tulsa Habitat for Humanity gets $6.7 million grant from Zarrow Foundation to expand affordable housing program By Bill Sherman Tulsa Habitat for Humanity announced a
