Kami Kuykendall took over as the president and CEO of Pivot in 2015, helping give the former Youth Services of Oklahoma County a new identity.
Until her departure from the organization in 2019, Kuykendall helped provide food, shelter and direction for thousands of Oklahoma City’s at-risk youths.
Now working in Tulsa, Kuykendall, 51, reflects back on her time leading the organization she helped run.
"Counseling is at the heart of everything we tried to do. We provide that housing for them but also provide a skill set for them. They get a chance to learn with us and that helps them take the next step forward.
"Most of the kids, they’ve just been very vulnerable to bad things that have happened to them and it really impacts their development in the way they should. Overcoming trauma is at the heart of everything. Once you can begin that healing process you can begin working on everything else from education to employment to life skills.
"We start by meeting the kid where they are. Go into the community. Really assess what’s going on. You have to know their situation. The combination of meeting housing and basic needs and making sure they have a safe, stable place to stay where can rest their head at night. It’s really hard to focus on what’s next for you or your future when you don’t have those needs met.
"Trying to create a different life is not as easy as it sounds. It is extremely important to remain calm and to stay focused. We had to build a relationship and build that trust to let people know we are here, we are with you."
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April 26, 2020 at 05:05PM
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Outlook 2020: Kami Kuykendall's lasting legacy of helping homeless youths - Oklahoman.com
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