The excitement was palpable as the ribbon was cut at the grand opening of Sisu Youth Center’s new campus in December 2023. Just nine years after first opening its doors as a haven for young adults experiencing housing instability, Sisu is taking their next step in changing lives.
Their work began back in 2010 when Penny Reynolds set out to collect and share resources for youth experiencing challenges in Oklahoma City. Many people told her it was unnecessary, too big of a responsibility or a liability they were unwilling to undertake. But for Penny, it was different – if it could help one kid feel safe, it would all be worth it.
In 2014, Sisu Youth Day Center opened its doors—bringing together case managers, service providers and volunteers to support young people ages 15-24 facing homelessness, and they have continued to build on that momentum year after year. In 2024, Sisu served a total of 548 young people through programing providing shelter, education assistance, life skills, case management and more.
Every day, Sisu’s staff, volunteers and donors show up in new ways to demonstrate their support for the young people at Sisu. Last year, Oklahoma City Community Foundation donor Richard Farris drove the initiative to launch an endowment at OCCF to provide Sisu reliable, ongoing funding.
While one donor stepped up to lead the charge, the organization soon found that other donors were excited to participate in this strategic way, and the fund has more than doubled in value. With annual support from their endowment, Sisu is not only creating stability for the youth they serve, they are stabilizing the organization. This sustainable funding ensures Sisu can continue providing young people with a safe place as they move forward in their individual journeys for decades to come.
Want to learn more about Sisu? Check out the full story on them in our Nonprofit Endowment Report!
