MetroFamily Magazine. OKC Family Fun & Resources. Local events calendar.
MARCH 2020
Spring Break Inspo What’s new + now in OKC
BETTER TOGETHER 3 moms celebrate vibrant NE OKC Road trip! Fam fun in Frisco, Texas
Oklahomaswim.com (405) 509-5415 Year-round, Pr i vat e , Survival-based Swimming lessons Available for All ages.
Join us! Grand opening
3-5 PM |
april 4
Family fun Bounce house Photo booth
Treats Giveaways And more!
Princess Ariel & Moana Come experience the difference Oklahoma swim academy Hang out with Disney’s
(150th st. between May & Penn ave.) 15001 Gambels trail drive / okc
Free event | all welcome
Features 6 Spring Break Inspo
New experiences in OKC 10 Run for Fun + A Good Cause
Sign up for the Redbud to support student athletes
12 Kids Fest Ahead
Peep the March 28 expo & Children’s Business Fair
20 Realizing Their Worth
Local diversion program helps moms facing incarceration
In Every Issue 8 Local Family Fun
Tips to encourage a love of reading
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24 Calendar
Jump into spring with 165 family fun events 40 Real Moms of the Metro Celebrating the vibrancy of northeast OKC 44 Exploring Beyond Oklahoma Take a road trip to Frisco, Texas 48 Super Kids of the Metro High school athlete leads through service 54 #okcfamilyfun
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Only Online
Make a Mom’s Day Nominate your mom, mother figures or other moms you admire for our Awesome Moms Contest. The winner and two finalists will be featured in our May issue, plus be eligible to win prizes from Renaissance Hotel, The Spa at 10 North, Kendra Scott, The Black Scintilla, Upper Crust, Neighborhood JAM, Redrock Canyon Grill, Hefner Grill & Mama Roja. Submit your nomination in 250 words or less before March 13 at metrofamilymagazine.com/contests. Pledge to be Counted The 2020 Census begins this month and your participation matters deeply!
Register Early for Kids Fest & Save Kids Fest will be Saturday, March 28 at the Cox Convention Center. Kids are free to attend and adults are $7 at the door OR register early online, save and get special discounts. Visit metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-fest If your kids are counting down the days until summer break, take a peek at our Summer Camp Guide to find fun opportunities for every age and interest: metrofamilymagazine.com/ summer-camps. for more information. Summer Fun Ahead
This population count of America determines the distribution of political power and money from the federal government. For every person counted, OKC receives $1,675 per person, every year for 10 years, from federal dollars. New this year: the census can be completed online. Find out more at metrofamilymagazine. com/census-2020. Salute Spring Break Thanks to sponsor Extreme Camp at Honey Lee Ranch, find a comprehen- sive guide of Spring Break camps, family-friendly activities, road trip ideas and St. Patrick’s Day celebra- tions at metrofamilymagazine.com/ spring-break.
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This Month’s Cover BJ, 11, Kennedy, 6, and Brendan, 4, are Oklahoma City siblings who attend John Rex Elementary School and love spending time outdoors, singing in their church choir and eating at Abuelo’s. BJ, an avid Fortnite player, enjoys acting, playing soccer, reading and solving math problems. Kennedy is a ballet dancer with an eye for making jewelry and creating art. Brendan plays basketball and soccer and loves to draw. Along with parents Bernard and Mautra, the family’s favorite metro hangouts are local parks and the OKC Zoo. One of our two Cover Kids sibling group winners, they loved spending the afternoon in the Plaza District for their photoshoot. facing incarceration. Whether it’s something ridiculous like a kid forgetting shoes or the almost holy experience of watching a mom change the very trajectory of her life for the better, for herself and her children, moms are at our best when we are rallying around each other, cheering each other on and learning from each other. I have learned a lot from three moms whose words have been lingering in my thoughts. Featured in this month’s Real Moms of the Metro, Chaya Fletcher, Caylee Dodson and Maurianna Adams share beautiful insight into the rich history, vibrant culture and bright future of a portion of our city that’s often been overlooked and disinvested. Dodson, director of Restore OKC, shares: “We know C onfession: Twice in the last six the three had no shoes on. (Worth noting, the culprit was never my youngest.) My pre-kid self would have never understood how this could happen. You didn’t remind them to put on shoes before you left home? You drove the whole way there with neither kids nor you noticing bare feet? And you didn’t turn right around to get the shoes?! (Pre-kid me was also never late for anything.) Both times I sheepishly entered our destination, expecting to attract some side eye or ridicule, especially from other moms. But you know what? All I received were some knowing, supportive glances and a few been- there giggles. That’s the side of moms — of parents, of humans — that gives me so much hope for the future. And that’s what I kept reflecting on as I read ReRe Lunsford’s article about ReMerge, a local diversion program helping moms months my kids and I have arrived at a destination only to discover one of
RESTORE OKC’S URBAN FARM
that northeast Oklahoma City has a long story of injustice. My neighbor was 10 when it became legal for black families to go north of 23rd Street. Living history is still so present. It’s not hard to learn this side of our city, but it’s not often taught, so if you’re afforded the privilege of not knowing, you likely don’t.” The stories of these community advocates, the stories of moms facing incarceration, both have had me up at night considering how I can better support moms in our community and how I can better educate both my kids and myself on all the beautiful pieces and people who shape the metro. Our city has come so far, but we still have a long way to go. I have great faith that we’ll get there—together.
Publisher Sarah Taylor Managing Editor Erin Page Assistant Editor Lindsay Cuomo
Contributing Writers Kim Bilger, ReRe Lunsford Contributing Photographer
Bridget Pipkin Art Director Stacy Noakes Project Manager Kirsten Holder Sales Dana Price, Laura Beam Office/Distribution Kathy Alberty Contact us 318 NW 13th St, Ste 101 OKC OK 73103 Phone: 405-601-2081 Fax: 405-445-7509
Erin Page Managing Editor
sarah@metrofamilymagazine.com www.metrofamilymagazine.com
MetroFamily Magazine is published monthly. Copyright 2019 by Inprint Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.
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Also a member of Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Edmond Chamber of Commerce & Moore Chamber of Commerce
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 5
New & Now
BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS PROVIDED. Spring Break Family Fun
THE NATIVE AMERICAN VILLAGE IN LIICHOKOSHKOMO’!
Sneak a peek at Liichokoshkomo’! The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s new multi- million dollar indoor-outdoor educational experience opens later this month, but families are invited for a sneak peek with special activities each day March 14 through 20 . From sampling traditional foods of the American West and climbing on the new playground equipment to watching Native dance demonstrations and planting wildflower seeds, activities celebrate and invite families to explore Liichokoshkomo’!, a space intended for hands-on fun. Located in the museum’s backyard, Liichokoshkomo’! (pronounced Lee-cho-kosh-ko-MO) is a Choctaw phrase meaning “Let’s play!,” and that’s exactly what children and families are invited to do in the 2.3 acre interactive opportunity to learn multicultural Western history and heritage. Imaginations will soar in the replica tent city for railway workers, a railcar, train depot and pioneer wagon as kids stretch their critical thinking skills to consider what they would haul West. A Native American village will feature homes of seven tribes, including a Pawnee earth lodge, a Kiowa teepee and Pueblo cliff dwellings. “This gives little ones a place to touch and climb on things and get their wiggles out, a place all their own to explore,” said Gina Anderson, communications strategist for the museum. For more information about sneak peek activities and Liichokoshkomo’!, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.
OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY’S NEW SPACE WILL TRIPLE ARTS PROGRAMS AND CLASS OFFERINGS FOR ALL AGES.
Oklahoma Contemporary expands reach with new space
For nearly 30 years, Oklahoma Contemporary has been inspiring imaginations, creativity and a love of the arts. This month, the nonprofit organization opens its much-anticipated, multi-million dollar new building, tripling program and class offerings for audiences of all ages and continuing to offer admission to the exhibitions and much of the new public programming for free. The new space at 11th Street and Broadway Avenue opens to the public Friday, March 13 , with family-friendly activities planned that weekend and into Spring Break. Going forward, every Friday afternoon tiny tots can explore the Zero2Four Art Lab, full of art materials, books and interactive stations designed to spark curiosity about the arts. Thursday late nights will offer enhanced programming like performances, artist talks, DJs and poetry readings. Starting again in April, Oklahoma Contemporary hosts free monthly family-focused programs every second Saturday with hands-on art making, performances and gallery adventures for visitors of all ages. School group visits, facilitated by gallery guides, are free for grades 3 through 12 with the option to add interactive studio activities. “We’ll have a deeper well of classes than ever before,” said Lori Brooks, director of communications for Oklahoma Contemporary. “We’ve done a lot of research to figure out what Oklahoma City wanted, and we’re making sure to provide that in terms of education.” Find out more about these programs, plus Camp Contemporary coming this summer and year-round Studio School for teens and adults, at oklahomacontemporary.org.
Enjoy Free Family Day at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Kick off your Spring Break week with SONIC Free Family Day at the OKCMOA on Sunday, March 15 . From 12 to 5 p.m., families will enjoy free admission to the museum’s exhibitions, plus the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind art in the museum’s studio. Don’t miss kid-friendly stops throughout the galleries, like Portrait Corner and a treasure hunt for tiny Italian cherubs in the Oklahoma Persian Ceiling. Thanks to the Downtown Library, sign up for library cards and check out books from a pop-up library, plus enjoy family-friendly film screenings. Be sure to stop by MetroFamily’s booth to design your own crown! For more information, visit okcmoa.com.
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Customizable Pizza Cups Yield: 16
Time: 15 minutes prep 10-12 minutes cooking 1 thin crust refrigerated pizza dough 8 oz can tomato sauce ½ tsp garlic powder 1-2 tsp Italian seasoning (or a combo of some basil, oregano and parsley) Shredded mozzarella Toppings of choice Mix garlic powder and Italian seasoning into tomato sauce. Chop toppings as needed and set aside. Unroll pizza dough onto countertop and cut rectangle into 16 pieces with a butter knife (so kids can help with this part!) Gently press each square into a greased cupcake pan, pinching a little of the dough together as needed to make sure the entire bottom of each cup is covered with the dough. Add 1-2 teaspoons of tomato sauce, followed by 1 tablespoon of toppings and 1-2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella. The cup can be heaping a little as it will cook down. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and the edges of the crust are lightly browned. Run a butter knife around each one to loosen from the pan and enjoy! For Kim’s gluten-free and dessert options, visit metrofamilymagazine.com/whats-for- dinner-pizza-cups.
PHOTOS BY ERIN PAGE
What’s for Dinner? Making meal prep a family affair BY KIM BILGER
accept it. When I’m serving a new food or something not wildly popular with my crowd, I soften the blow by making sure there is a secondary dish they do like or letting them decide which vegetable to serve. Share the science My kids are fortunate to have a dad with a green thumb (because I do not), and he includes them in the prep, planting and harvest of our garden. Not many cherry tomatoes or sugar snap peas made it into the house one summer because the kids were snacking on them while playing in the backyard! As a dietitian, I hope telling my kids about the good stuff in food carries some weight to making healthy choices. We make it fun, too! My kids pretend to be giants eating trees when we have broccoli and show off biceps after a dose of protein. We talk with our oldest two about how their choice of fuel impacts their energy levels when playing baseball or soccer. Research shows that family mealtimes benefit children in their self-esteem, and mine cer- tainly take pride in helping prepare the food being served. Whatever method of including your kids fits your family’s style, go for it! Editor’s note: This is the third article in a three-part series exploring ideas for cooking as a family. Kim Bilger, MPH, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian with a passion for helping people optimize their nutritional health. She lives in Edmond with her husband and three kids who appreciate her love of baking but not always her love of vegetables.
If your kitchen is like mine, there is a pile of pending documents, a toy (or two) on the counter awaiting mom repair and sticky spots on the floor. Some nights, the idea of pulling a meal together in my kitchen feels daunting, and including the kids seems impossible. But my nutrition idol Ellyn Satter said it best: “When the joy goes out of eating, nutrition suffers,” and part of our family’s joy is including our kids in cooking. Here’s how we make it work for our family of five. Involve kids at their level I choose recipes according to my kids’ ages and attention spans. My youngest (age 4) is happy dumping in an ingredient and then running off to play. My middle (age 6) loves to smell the ingredients, each exposure another food experience to log in his palate. My oldest (age 9) perfects her egg-cracking abilities using a small bowl so we can fish out any shells. Using kid cookbooks and a monthly kid cooking subscription have helped improve acceptance of new foods. Stay the course I know the frustration of preparing a healthy meal only to have it rejected by my beloveds. Don’t stop trying! It can take 10 to 15 times of trying a new food before a child will
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 7
LOCAL FAMILY FUN
Let’s Read! In honor of National Read Across America Day (and Dr. Seuss’ birthday) on March 2, we asked three local authors how parents can inspire their kids to love reading. Editor’s note: Our panel of authors included Tammi Sauer, a full-time children’s book author who has written 29 books and presents at schools and conferences across the nation; Mary Nhin, an entrepreneur who launched her writing career in 2019 and has already written 20 children’s books, several in conjunction with her middle son; and Kristin Williamson, children’s services manager for the Metropolitan Library System and author of Our Day at the Zoo.
STUDENTS WELCOME AUTHOR TAMMI SAUER READING A COLLECTION OF HER 29 BOOKS.
BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
MOM MARY AND SON KOBE NHIN AT A BOOK READING FOR THEIR GROW GRIT BOOK SERIES.
heart. He discovered the My Weird School series and he loved it because it was really funny and he related to the main character. Give them choices above or below their reading level so they’re exposed to all kinds of material. As kids learn to read themselves, how can parents still encourage and engage with them when it comes to reading? Williamson: Read a chapter book together as a family after dinner or before bed. My parents still read to me when I was in high school. Nhin: One of the most difficult goals an author has is to write a book in a way that not only engages and entertains but leaves questions lingering. My goal with my books is that they inspire questions and thoughts so families can delve into deeper subjects, maybe the next day at dinner or when being tucked in a child asks those questions. That’s what a good book does. Sauer: Through middle school, my sister and her kids would end their day by sharing a book together. It’s a great way to expose kids to a better vocabulary and different experiences. Parents’ days are so busy that it’s easy for reading to get overlooked. But make it a priority, just like brushing your teeth.
How can parents best inspire their kids to read? Sauer: When kids see their parents reading for pleasure they are more likely to be readers themselves. Have all sorts of reading material in the home - novels, picture books, comic books and cookbooks. I always have books in my car and bag. Make trips to the library or bookstore feel like an event. There’s nothing like the connection of sharing a book with a kid. It’s a great time to engage, ask questions and get kids to share. Nhin: Even though I’m an avid reader, my three boys don’t always gravitate to it. But in my experience, if you can find a subject they are interested in and get them hooked, that’s the best motivator. Once they delve into a subject they really like then that love of reading can grow. You’ve planted the seed. What about kids who just don’t want to sit still for a story? Williamson: It’s more important that reading interactions are positive than that they are long. If your toddler is not having it, put the book away and come back to it later. The more you practice those behaviors, the longer they will be able to sit and the more they will associate those interactions of reading and snuggling and sharing books together as part of the love between a parent and a child.
When it comes to filling out reading charts and keeping track of reading minutes for school, how can parents still make reading fun? Nhin: I remember those years of logging minutes! Books with dialogue help, and reading books with subjects important to the parent and child or practical to the child’s life can be another way to make reading fun. Sauer: When my son was in first grade he was not into reading and it about broke my
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12 Months OF Family Fun
For kids who struggle with reading, how can parents encourage them? Williamson: Many of our libraries have children reading to dogs programs. At our Midwest City library, we had a child who had a stutter and was really self-conscious about reading out loud, but the dogs are nonjudgmental. He came to the program every other week for almost two years. I ran into his mom who told me they didn’t need to come anymore because his reading had improved so much he’d increased his reading level at school, improved his self-confidence and gotten involved in other after-school activities. People also forget that audio books are really great resources. It uses the same parts of your brain as when you are reading. It’s not like you are cheating! And it’s a good way for families to share books together, in the car or at home while cooking dinner. The library has apps where you can download ebooks and audio books.
How can books be a good way to inspire conversation, especially among harder-to-reach teens? Sauer: When my daughter was in seventh grade she was really busy with other things and I was sad she wasn’t showing a love of reading like she previously had. I knew I just had to find the right book for her, so I gave her The Hunger Games and told her just to read the first chapter. She was back to being hooked on reading! She wanted to read the others, then other books like it. Her friends saw her reading them and she shared the books with them. If you’re reading the same book, too, later on you get to talk about it. It’s just like when you’re watching a TV series separately and you have that built-in conversation piece. For our authors’ favorite books for little ones, elementary kids and tweens and teens, visit metrofamilymagazine.com/lets-read.
Oklahoma City Venture Pass
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ONE OF AUTHOR TAMMI SAUER’S FAVORITE PARTS OF HER JOB IS VISITING SCHOOLS TO READ TO KIDS.
*Available with Venture Prime-Pass.
Save the Date for Read Across Oklahoma! April 7, Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden Read Across Oklahoma is held each year to celebrate literacy and encourage reading, thanks to a collaboration between the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the OKC Zoo. This year’s theme, Wordy Wise, is inspired by Tammi Sauer’s book Wordy Birdy , and Sauer will be on hand to read the tale of a very chatty bird who learns the importance of listening and discovers that good friends stick with you through thick and thin. The event will feature special activity stations and performances throughout the zoo, and the first 1,000 children through the gate will receive a free book. Read Across Oklahoma is free with zoo admission.
As low as $59.95
Point your smartphone camera at this code to get your pass!
Details online at www.myventurepass.com Venues & offers subject to change. FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 9
The Redbud Classic is an Oklahoma City institution, but beyond offering family fitness fun, the event has raised more than half a million dollars for local nonprofit organizations since 1983. Each year the fitness event funds a different nonprofit and this year the benefactor will be the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League (OKC PAL). supports STUDENT ATHLETE SUCCESS 2020 Redbud
What is OKC PAL? In partnership with the Oklahoma City Police Department, OKC PAL provides athletic programs, leadership skills training and service opportunities to Oklahoma City Public Schools students. Nationally, PAL began in New York City and now has several hundred chapters throughout the country. “When PAL started in 1915, a police officer said we need a program that provides a safe place for kids to play and creates a good relationship between police and youth,” said Peter Evans, executive director of OKC PAL. “When kids are part of a team, they are held to higher standards of accountability, improving grades and actions and putting them on track to graduate.” OKC PAL operates in 13 OKCPS middle schools, offering basketball, cheer, football, volleyball and soccer, plus providing martial arts to middle school and elementary students at eight additional schools. Students practice at their respective schools after school and play games at the high schools they will eventually attend to ease transportation needs, cultivate school spirit and give students a glimpse of their futures playing high school sports. In addition to Evans, OKC PAL employs four full-time police officers who serve as mentors, visiting program schools, ensuring student athletes’ grades and behaviors meet program standards and serving as a source of affirmation and encouragement. “Our officers and coaches come in and help
kids with accountability, [encouraging them to] engage with their teachers,” said Evans. Knowing coaches and teammates are counting on them, student athletes often take the initiative to discuss with teachers how they can improve their grades. Evans says it’s not uncommon for students to turn Ds into Bs or Cs into As. “Some of our kids get a bad rap,” said Evans. “But we have fantastic kids who will absolutely run through a wall for you if you just show up and show them you care.” About five years ago, Evans says program leaders noticed participation in OKCPS athletics was in the 30th percentile, while the national participation rate was 55 percent. After an evaluation with district leaders, the team identified three key factors: facilities were in need of repair, the majority of kids in OKCPS didn’t have access to sports equipment and students had little to no foundation for sports. “Seventy to 90 percent of our kids are playing organized sports for the first time,” said Evans. By reevaluating its programs and developing its own sports leagues, OKC PAL can focus on teaching athletic fundamentals and building character among its students, with every adult involved, from referees to teachers in the classroom to concession stand volunteers, reinforcing those values. “Everyone is wrapping around to make sure these kids are getting the message consistently,” said Evans. “Sports is our fun
BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
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JOIN FOR CHILD CARE STAY FOR SELF-CARE
OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE OFFICERS PARTICIPATE IN THE REDBUD.
2020 Redbud Events Saturday, April 4 Family Fun Events 1-mile Fun Run, 11 a.m. Nichols Hills Plaza, N Western Ave. & Avondale Dr. Perfect for kids ages 1-12, activities begin at 11 a.m. and the fun run begins at noon. $15 registration includes a shirt and medal, plus all participants will enjoy pizza and refreshments from Little Caesar’s Pizza. PAL will provide pre- and post-race activities and entertainment. 1-mile Woof Walk, after 1-mile fun run Enjoy a stroll with your dog in this NEW event! $15 registration includes a bandanna and treats for the dog and medal for the human. Sunday, April 5 Family Fun Events 5k, 1:30 p.m. West entrance to Waterford Blvd. on Pennsylvania Ave. $25-$40 registration fee per participant 2-mile Walk and Stroller Derby, 1:45 p.m. West entrance to Waterford Blvd. on Pennsylvania Ave. Decorate your stroller for a chance to win the “Best Decorated Stroller” prize! $25-$40 registration fee per participant; children in strollers do not have to be registered. Redbud Bash, 1 p.m. Nichols Hills Plaza, N Western Ave. & Avondale Dr. Enjoy food trucks, free family-friendly games and activities and entertainment. The bash is open to the community. Registration prices increase March 30. For information on all events, to register or to volunteer, visit redbud.org.
vehicle to teach life lessons, establish character and help kids succeed.” Around 450 volunteers, including teachers, police officers and community members, serve as coaches and mentors to students on more than 260 teams across all sports. The program has become so popular that last year OKC PAL had to turn away more than 1,000 student athlete hopefuls. “We get to our capacity but the need is still out there,” said Evans. OKC PAL works closely with metro nonprofit organizations Fields & Futures, which builds and maintains school athletic fields, and Cleats for Kids, providing sports equipment and gear to under-served athletes. A partnership with Feed the Children provides snacks and meals for student athletes. “When we all looked at each other and realized we met needs of the others, the programs completely transformed and exploded,” said Evans. “When we collaborate, focus on what we each do well and make programs more efficient, those resources go so much further.” OKC PAL relies solely on donations and grants, which made their selection as the Redbud’s 2020 benefactor especially sweet. Evans said the support and affirmation of the longstanding Oklahoma City institution means much more than the money itself ever could, both to him and the students he serves. “For us to be able to show [our students] that groups like this that don’t even know them care about their success goes a really long way with our students,” said Evans. “It warms your heart but also makes you realize this may be the first time that kid has heard [that message].” For more information about OKC PAL, including how to become a volunteer coach or mentor, visit okcpal.org.
ymcaokc. org
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 11
March 28 11am-4pm Cox Convention Center in downtown OKC
Don't miss this fun event! • Petting zoos • Stage entertainment
• Celebrity guests • Bounce houses • Games and art projects • Roaming characters
• Meet & support young entrepreneurs, ages 6-14, at the Acton Children’s Business Fair. • Connect with your community! Kids are FREE and adults (18 & up) are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
Sponsored by
www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-fest
What’s NEW at Kids Fest 2020
Acton Children’s Business Fair Acton Children’s Business Fair features over 30 businesses offering goods for sale all provided by local young entrepreneurs ages 6-14. These kids will be offering a
wide variety of products from bookmarks and fancy pencils to handmade stuffed animals and original artworks. Support Oklahoma’s next generation of entrepreneurs at Kids Fest 2020!
Acton
CHILDREN'S BUSINESS FAIR
METROFAMILY MAGAZINE & GIRL SCOUTS WESTERN OKLAHOMA
We provide ABA therapy for kids & teens with autism!
www.aimclinics.com
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 13
Kids Fest Special Section
STOP BY OUR BOOTH FOR SAMPLES & A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE!
www .C hiCkasaw C ultural C enter . Com (580)622-7130 V isit o ur B ooth
Find Chester at Kids Fest! 405-373-1595, cpbf.office@gmail.com
FreddysUSA.com
Come enjoy a craft with us at Kids Fest.
Learn about our swim classes for
infants through age 12. GOLDFISHSWIMSCHOOL.COM/EDMOND Serving Oklahoma’s children with disabilities J.D. McCarty Center 2002 E. Robinson St. Norman, OK 73071
K-9 University 405-231-4335 www.myk9u.com
See you at Kids Fest!
405-307-2800 www.jdmc.org
COME SEE OUR ANIMALS at Kids Fest!
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Kids Fest Special Section
Spin our prize wheel for a chance to win arcade cards, swag and more!
Free Activities for Kids nationalcowboymuseum.org/kids
STOP BY FOR SOME FUN!
www.oklahomaawesomeadventures.com
Official Museum of Free Family Fun Family Fun for Everyone!
COME SEE US AT KIDS FEST 2020!!
Join the OKCPHIL for Kids Fest PLUS join us Sunday, May 3 for Discovery Family Concert at 2pm.
Call 842-5387 for tickets.
405-522-0765 www.okhistory.org
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 15
On Stage at Kids Fest When you need a break from the fun and games at Kids Fest, stop and enjoy the wonderful entertainment on the stage.
Joe Coover family-friendly magician
OU Confucius Institute traditional Chinese dance and song
OKCPS Resonative Youth Dance Troupe traditional Native American dance
Nishita Shah with Nritya Arpan traditional Indian dance
Marti Rickman’s Raices of Clips & Hips
Salsa and Latin American dance
musical performances
School of Rock Edmond musical performances
Find a complete schedule posted two weeks prior on www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kidsfest
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Kids Fest Special Section
Home to the finest Made in Oklahoma products & gifts inspired by OK and its people. Santa Fe Train Depot in downtown OKC. www.scissortailgifts.com Come get your “kicks” with us at Kids Fest!
Main (405)608-5000
soccercityokcity.com 405-748-3888
Come by our booth for discounted admission tickets!
Make your own stuffed animal at Kids Fest!
405-509-8830 tbmokc.com
YMCAOKC.ORG
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 17
Top 10 reasons to bring your family to Kids Fest 2020 on March 28
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Animals, animals, animals! Petting zoos from Extreme Animals and Chester’s Party Barn and alpacas from Magnolia Blossom Ranch. Support Oklahoma’s next generation of entrepreneurs by shopping at the Acton Children’s Business Fair. Active fun! Inflatables, GaGa Ball, rowing machines, soccer, bowling and more. Hands-on projects, art and games for the kids at over 60 vendor booths. Discounts and swag provided by our vendors/ sponsors. Wonderful stage performances by a vibrant array of ethnic dance groups, singers and a magician. Lots of door prizes to be eligible to win. Roaming characters to delight the kids (including special guests from OKC’s favorite sports team). Learn about new-to-you businesses and services in your community (plus some travel ideas!) Kids are FREE! And adults are only $5 if you register in advance or $7 at the door.
8 9 10
www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-fest
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Kids Fest Special Section
Meet our Kids Fest 2020 Emcees We’re thrilled to welcome Damien Lodes and Simi John as our emcees this year.
Our sincere gratitude to the following sponsors and our booth vendors for making this fun event possible!
Damien Lodes grew up in Kingfisher and is now living his dream as a meteorologist at KFOR News Channel 4. After serving in the Marines for five years, he pursued his meteorology degree from OU. Before coming to KFOR in 2016, he served as the chief meteorologist in west Texas and Kansas.
Simi John is a proud mom, author, speaker, medical professional and social media influencer. Born in India, Simi moved to Dallas when she was 7. She and her husband, Jayson, have two children, ages 6 and 3. She just released her first book, “I Am Not: Break Free From Stereotypes & Become the Woman God Made You to Be.”
Come see us at Kids Fest!
See us at Kids Fest!
of the
www.yukonok.gov Extreme Summer Fun
Come by our booth and make a craft!
zoofriends.org
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 19
WORTHY
How moms facing incarceration gain futures with ReMerge
REMERGE CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF ITS NEW BUILDING IN NOVEMBER 2019.
BY RERE LUNSFORD . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
“All of our moms are high-risk, high-need, either pregnant or mothers of minor children who are eligible for reunification,” said Hillary Burkholder, director of community engagement for ReMerge. “That’s what we really focus on because we want to break those intergenerational cycles.” ReMerge has graduated 126 participants from the program since it began in 2011. “They have 317 children among them that we are hopefully breaking that cycle for,” said Burkholder. The privately-funded nonprofit is looking to make an even greater impact with its new 19,000-square-foot building located at 823 N. Villa. ReMerge can currently serve 50 mothers at a time, and the new building will enable the program to increase that by 50 percent. Both staff and clients provided input on the building’s design to create an intentional,
trauma-informed space. It includes a fitness center, kitchen, privacy nooks, visitation area and a restoration garden. “The whole building was really designed for them to feel valued and to know they are worth the investment we are making in When clients begin the program, they are onsite Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They attend meetings, appointments, classes and groups. Each mom is assigned a team with a therapist, care coordinator and recovery support specialist. As they phase up in the program, they spend less time onsite and more time working or going to school, but at a minimum the moms spend 1,100 hours at ReMerge. In partnership with the public defender and district attorney’s office, ReMerge receives referrals about women who may be eligible them,” said Burkholder. ReMerge in action
Cierra Eastep’s 7-year-old son scanned the crowd of parents at the class assembly and excitedly pointed her out when he saw her: “That’s my mom!” he told his friends. He was proud, but nowhere near as proud as Eastep was to hear his words. Eastep’s son tells her often how proud he is of her, and those words mean a lot to the mother of four, who a year ago was facing incarceration. Eastep is celebrating the completion of her first semester of college with the help of ReMerge, an Oklahoma City female diversion program that focuses on pregnant women and mothers with felony charges in Oklahoma County who are facing incarceration. The four-phase program takes an average of 18 to 24 months to complete. Upon graduating the program, participants’ charges can be dismissed.
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after initial assessments when a woman enters jail. ReMerge’s clinical director meets with the potential client to understand her needs and assess readiness for change. If it’s a good fit, the mother is released to ReMerge. “When you first come in it’s a little overwhelming and asking for help is hard,” said Eastep. “After ReMerge accommodated me and my children so much, I began to trust them and trust the process.” Eastep said ReMerge staff advocates for mothers and provides many incentives and opportunities she didn’t have before coming to the program. “You get that support and transportation and employment and education and housing, all of it,” Eastep said. ReMerge works with community partners to cover the cost of housing for mothers during their first two phases of the program. ReMerge also covers clients’ medical and dental costs. The program has a full-time education and employment coordinator, probation and parole officer, legal aid attorney and health and wellness coordinator, who cooks lunch with the mothers every day. “[We] want to make sure they are really valuing their own health and wellness and taking care of themselves, and we are also teaching them how to model and do that with their children,” said Burkholder.
Preparing for the future OSU-OKC, where Eastep recently completed her first semester toward a degree in addiction counseling, offers a free strategies for success class to the mothers. The University of Central Oklahoma offers a mass communications class for ReMerge participants, focusing on soft skills like email etiquette, social media and maintaining sobriety in the workplace. Burkholder said the average age when a ReMerge mother left home is 15.5, and 20 percent of participants need their GED, for which ReMerge offers tutoring. Thanks to a grant from United Way, ReMerge is launching Courage Cookies, a 12-week program with curriculum focused on entrepreneurship, marketing and inventory management. Participants will also bake cookies twice a week with a mentor. That mentor will become a potential job reference, which is often a barrier for people involved in the justice system. Burkholder said the idea for Courage Cookies developed after program participants said they wanted to be able to work but being at the program the majority of the day, five days a week, made that difficult. “In an effort to not make that work history gap any longer than it needs to be or if they have never had a job history that they can list, we want to get them on that road sooner,” Burkholder said. “We are
Member registration opens 10 a.m. March 23
General registration opens 10 a.m. March 30 See camp descriptions and register at okcontemp.org/camps.
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THE ENCOURAGING WORDS ON THE WALL OUTSIDE REMERGE’S NEW LOCATION WERE VOTED UPON BY CLIENTS AND STAFF.
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MARCH 2020 21
partnering with retail businesses to sell [the cookies], and we are paying them $15 an hour because it is our goal that they make a living wage when they graduate.” ReMerge offers continued support after graduation, including monthly peer-led support groups, annual reunions and flex funds for unforeseen expenses. As a former child welfare worker, Burkholder recognizes the importance of providing support to individuals seeking change. Seventy-one percent of ReMerge moms have been victims of domestic violence, and many experienced childhood trauma that has impacted their decisions. “We are asking them to change everything they’ve ever known,” said Burkholder. “They are learning what healthy relationships even look like, building those support systems up and those connections with each other. Those are the things that are going to keep them stable and in long-term recovery.” Eastep is glad ReMerge recognizes the impact of trauma. “It all stems from some kind of trauma, and if we had gotten help with that trauma then we might not have been in that situation,” Eastep said. “But now that we are getting help hopefully we won’t go back to that situation.” Keeping moms and kids together Oklahoma has the highest rate of female incarceration in the nation, topping the list for decades. Burkholder said 85 percent of the women serving time in prison are mothers, which speaks to the need for programs like ReMerge in our state. “Most had custody of their children before going into prison and most are single parent households,” said Burkholder. “So it’s just traumatic for the entire family but also economically devastating.” A child with an incarcerated parent is seven times as likely to be incarcerated and has a 2 percent chance of going to college, according to Burkholder, another catalyst for ReMerge to help break that cycle. Incarcerating mothers can strain other family members, such as grandparents who thought they were done raising kids, a situation Bethany resident Crystal Guthrie can relate to and one ReMerge hopes to alleviate when possible. Guthrie became the legal guardian of her now 4-year-old grandson in April 2018 when her 27-year-old daughter was sentenced to six years in prison. Guthrie remembers driving home from court the day her daughter was sentenced, calling a friend while in shock. “I said, ‘Oh my God, I have a 2-year-old
GRADUATES CELEBRATE COMPLETING THE REMERGE PROGRAM, WHICH TAKES AN AVERAGE OF 18 TO 24 MONTHS.
in my backseat. What am I going to do?’” Guthrie recalled. Her friend told her to pull over and scream for 10 seconds. “My grandson thought it was fun,” said Guthrie. “I just got the 10 seconds out and I hit the road and did what I had to do.” Transitioning to being a full-time caretaker of a young child was an adjustment, from securing daycare to changing her own schedule. “It just changed everything,” said Guthrie. “You’re [in your] late 40s doing your thing, making decisions on the fly and then you’re a full-time mom again. And you don’t once complain because I love him and would not once ask anyone else to take him because he’s where he’s supposed to be. But it is hard to juggle.” Guthrie and her grandson visit her daughter every other Saturday. “We’ve tried really hard to keep that bond there and I do think he’s attached to her, I just think it’s not the attachment that she wishes he had,” Guthrie said. “I hope that she understands that it’s not that he doesn’t love her the way that he used to because he does.” Alexus Walker knows all too well the importance of keeping the bond with children while incarcerated. The 26-year-old was incarcerated from May 2017 to December 2018 and said the impact of being away from her now 5-year-old daughter is still evident. “She has separation anxiety,” Walker said. “I have to reassure her that I’m here and that I’m not going anywhere.”
During her incarceration at Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Center, Walker participated in the Helping Women Recover program. The program helped her address triggers and realize she’s worthy and more than her past mistakes. “I’m free and peaceful,” Walker said. “I just thank God for the program.” The face of female incarceration Putting real faces to these mothers is important, says Burkholder, who stresses there are misconceptions of what a woman involved in the justice system is like. In reality, it can be anyone. “It can truly be your neighbor, your sister, your mother, your friend,” said Burkholder. When Guthrie first visited her daughter she was in shock that her child was surrounded by felons and criminals, but as she really observed, she saw mothers, mothers pushing their kids on swing sets, hugging them, carefully changing diapers. “It’s a yard full of moms with their kids,” said Guthrie. “They are just normal women who have gotten into trouble. They’ve made mistakes. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t good people and good moms. They love their kids.” In the same way, graduates of ReMerge look like any other mom, celebrating accomplishments that mean a better future for her and her children. Editor’s note: ReRe Lunsford is a Norman mom of two boys and an adjunct journalism professor at The University of Oklahoma.
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TOP 5 EVENTS March 7 Thunder Run at Chesapeake Energy Arena at 9 a.m. March 7 & 8 The Pied Picker at the American Banjo Museum at 2 p.m. March 14-20 Liichokoshkomo’! Sneak Peek at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum March 15 FREE SONIC Drive-In Family Day at Oklahoma City Museum of Art from noon-5 p.m. March 28 MetroFamily Kids Fest at Cox Convention Center from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
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Saturday, 2pm. Also held: 3/10-11 vs St. Louis, 3/13-15 vs Fresno State, 3/20-22 vs TCU, 3/24 vs Wichita State. 877-255-4678, www.okstate.com March 5-8 Red Dirt Film Festival at Cimarron Hotel & Suites (315 N Husband St, Stillwater) features feature-length movies and short films from filmmakers from around the world. The weekend also includes special guest appearances, panels, contests and parties. Free to attend. See website for a complete schedule. 708-1818, www.reddirtfilm.com March 6 FREE First Friday Gallery Walk in the Paseo District (NW 30th & 27th St, Walker & Hudson Ave) features special themed exhibits, refreshments, guest artists and a variety of entertainment. 6-9pm. 525-2688, www.thepaseo.org University of Oklahoma Women’s Gymnastics vs University of Michigan at Lloyd Noble Center (2900 W Jenkins Ave, Norman). Prices vary. 7:15pm. 325-2424, www.soonersports.com March 6 & 7 Babies at the Museum at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features playtime in the mezzanine, complimentary coffee for caregivers, structured gallery activities and full-day admission. For ages 24 months & under and their caregivers. Preregister. Members, $5; nonmembers, $12. 10am-noon. Also held: April 3 & 4. 278-8213, www.okcmoa.com Edmond Mothers of Multiples Consignment Sale at Quail Springs United Methodist Church (14617 N Penn Ave) features gently used children’s & maternity clothing, baby items, home décor and more. General sale, $2; early bird shopping, $5. Friday, 5-7pm; Saturday, 8am-3pm. www.facebook. com/EdmondMothersofMultiples Oklahoma Cine Latino Film Festival at the Historic Capitol Hill District (319 SW 25th St) features a variety of feature films, documentaries and short films from local and international filmmakers as well as short films created by teams of high school students. Friday, 6-10pm; Saturday, noon-5pm. Friday, $20- $25; Saturday, free. 632-0132, www. historiccapitolhill.com/okcine-latino
Through March 6 Go, Dog. Go! at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder Ave) features a family-friendly stage production of the classic children’s book. Best suited for ages 2 & up. Adults, $11; kids (2-12), $9. See website for show times. 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org March 3-8 Anastasia at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker Ave) features the tale of a brave young woman as she sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Best suited for ages 7 & up. $27 & up. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2 & 8pm; Sunday, 1:30 & 7pm. 594-8300, www.okcbroadway.com March 4-8 Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Sooner Theatre (101 E Main St, Norman) features a family-friendly stage production of one of Disney’s and Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories. The cast is comprised of students in grades 8-12. $15. Wednesday-Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 2 & 7:30pm; Sunday, 2pm. 321-9600, www.soonertheatre.org March 4 FREE Weather School at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features a presentation from the KFOR 4Warn Storm Team. Afterward, attendees can explore the museum’s exhibitions to discover the role of weather in the West. Space is limited and preregistration is required. 10:30am-1pm. 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org University of Oklahoma Baseball vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Dale Mitchell Park (401 Imhoff Rd). Prices vary. 6:30pm. Also held: 3/6-8 vs San Diego State, 3/20-22 vs Texas. 325-2424, www.soonersports.com University of Oklahoma Softball vs Wichita State University at Marita Hynes Field (2500 S Jenkins Ave, Norman). Prices vary. 6pm. Also held: 3/6 vs Utah, 3/7 vs Murray State, 3/13 vs New Mexico State, 3/13 vs Houston, 3/14 vs Kent State, 3/20-22 vs Texas. 325-2424, www.soonersports.com March 5-7 Oklahoma State Baseball vs Brigham Young University at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium (598 N Duck St, Stillwater). Prices vary. Thursday & Friday, 4pm;
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