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.
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 becoming an executive director, 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.
Gretchen has served the City of Tulsa in many different capacities. Before working for Growing Together, Gretchen worked for the City of Tulsa, the Tulsa Police Department, the Department of Human Services, and most recently, the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa as the Housing Operations Director. Gretchen has a passion to serve the underserved and marginalized communities and she understands their struggles. She is an advocate for those who feel that they do not have a voice and wants to give back to the City that gave her a home and opportunity to serve in various capacities.
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
Michelle Lara joins the Growing Together team from Leadership Tulsa, where she worked as a Program Manager for programs like the Hispanic Leadership Institute. Her experience in non-profit management has helped develop her communication skills and her passion for helping her community. She is currently pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University and is a proud graduate of Tulsa Public Schools. Michelle looks forward to furthering her connection with her neighbors in the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood, empowering people with leadership skills and opportunities, and advocating for her community members.
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.
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
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.
Wanting to work directly with students in need, Bree works as a site coordinator at Eugene Field Elementary School where she helps equip students with resources they need to feel empowered and 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. To connect with her students, you can find Bree walking around the Eugene Field neighborhood and interacting with students and their families. Advocating for her students and creating a positive impact are two things she feels passionate about.
Before working for Growing Together, Nina was the Dean of Webster Middle School. During her role as Dean, she discovered her passion for helping students and families grow to become self-sufficient by building strong relationships with them. This passion is what first attracted Nina to Communities in Schools. With the desire to be a team player, Nina is an excellent example to the families she serves and brings a wide variety of valuable experiences to our growing team.
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.
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.
Diana holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tulsa with a major in psychology and a double minor in sociology and education. Diana grew up in the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood and is excited to be working in a community that she knows and loves. She believes that education is the best way to progress through life. Diana is able to use her personal experience as someone who was raised by immigrants and a first-generation college graduate to inform others about how they can navigate the education system and have success in school and their own life.
Before working for Growing Together and Communities in Schools of Mid America, 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 discovered the re-engagement coordinator position when looking for a community in-school model for her doctoral research and 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.
Prior to joining the team at Growing Together and Communities in Schools of Mid America, Ashley taught middle school students with Significant Support Needs, working with the state, school district, and school professional and administrative teams to advocate for and implement best practices for students and their families. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern State University, and she looks forward to introducing students to a variety of new opportunities to help them reach their full potential. Ashley is excited to continue making connections and supporting the community while working to meet the needs of students and their families in a way that will positively impact the future of Tulsa.
“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!”
“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 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.”
“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.”
In partnership with Communities In Schools of Mid-America, Growing Together works with local schools to place CIS Site Coordinators (SCs) on-site. These SCs connect with
In partnership with Communities In Schools of Mid-America, Growing Together’s re-engagement program provides intensive case management services to students who have either dropped out of
Growing Together’s Communities In Schools Program puts CIS site coordinators (SC) in local schools to aid students’ success. The SCs connect students with community resources
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
