Pryor High School senior and reigning Miss Mayes County, Leah White, has made it her mission to shine a light on the actions of Mayes County residents who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make life better for everyone.
Two of the community members in White’s spotlight are PHS Assistant Librarian Marshel Morrison and Aviation Instructor Tami Rowland, proudly serve on the board of the Mayes County Grace Foundation, a local non-profit focused on supporting initiatives that aid the homeless.
Did you know that more than 300 students in Mayes County experience “insecure housing” (homelessness)? This information, provided by the PPS Homeless Liaison, underscores the importance of local efforts like the Grace Foundation.
What started in 2022 as “Prayer at the Park for the Homeless” has grown into an initiative to support and fund local organizations that are actively leading efforts to help the homeless.
The mission of the Mayes County Grace Foundation is to diligently solicit funds in the form of gifts, grants, bequests, and fundraising. Funds acquired will be used to provide educational experiences on homelessness and to provide grants to entities providing help to the homeless through accountability and responsibility.
One of the organization’s main goals is raising public awareness and providing education about the complexities of homelessness. Founding board member Nena Roberts explains, “People often try to place all homelessness under one blanket, but there are actually four distinct levels—Chronic Homelessness, Episodic Homelessness, Transitional Homelessness, and Hidden Homelessness.” Mayes County Grace Foundation
“Part of our education and awareness is to motivate others to take action," says Roberts. In line with that mission, fellow board member Marty Miller recently launched the Blessing Box initiative.
Through the dedication of leaders like Morrison, Rowland, Roberts, and Miller, the Mayes County Grace Foundation continues to make a meaningful impact in the community.