Reporter

Back On Top. Family & Children's Services and George Kaiser Family Foundation held a graduation ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the Hyatt Regency Tulsa for 10 participants who recently completed the Women in Recovery (WIR) program.

WIR is an alternative to incarceration program for nonviolent female offenders in Tulsa County who have alcohol and drug addictions. The program is funded by George Kaiser Family Foundation and operated by Family & Children's Services in Tulsa.

Women In Recovery Graduates.

WIR includes one year of intensive treatment and services, allowing participants to successfully return to their families and communities. In order to qualify, the women must be 18 years of age or older, involved in the criminal justice system and of imminent risk of incarceration, ineligible for other diversion services or courts and must have a history of substance abuse. Women with children have a high priority for program admission.

To graduate, all participants must be drug/alcohol-free, crime-free, employed, actively participating in community recovery support, engaged in reunification plans with their children and meeting all legal and court requirements. WIR includes an aftercare program and two-year follow up evaluation provided by the University of Tulsa.

Face Time. Tulsa Public Schools Virtual School, serving grades 6-12, will hold orientations for enrolled students and parents on Thursday, Aug. 18 at the Tulsa Learning Academy location, Suite 142 located in the Tulsa Promenade Mall, 4107 S. Yale. The presentations will be held at 5, 5:30, 6 and 6:30pm. Prospective students and parents who reside the in Tulsa Public School district are also invited to attend to gain more information.

The Big Red Bus, Tulsa Public Schools mobile classroom, will be parked in the Northwest quadrant of the Promenade parking lot and will showcase virtual classroom technology. A Virtual School faculty member will be available for questions and answers.

A Place to Pray. Governor Mary Fallin announced a project to construct a chapel at Camp Gruber, with the groundbreaking taking place in September.

Thunderbird Chapel.

The project, which has received strong support from Oklahoma citizens, businesses and state leaders, will establish a chapel for the camp, which currently does not have a spiritual center. The chapel will feature a sanctuary and facilities to accommodate services for approximately 200 soldiers, as well as offices for clergy and counseling and areas to conduct seminars, Bible studies and other gatherings. Construction of the project is expected to be completed in approximately six months, with a target goal of completion for Spring 2012, when Oklahoma soldiers return from Afghanistan.

The Thunderbird Chapel is a gift from the people of Oklahoma to the state's soldiers and their families. Construction of the facility is being funded solely by the contributions of private citizens, offering Oklahomans the opportunity to support a tangible, long-term gift to the men and women serving in the military. Business leaders, faith-based groups and other volunteers from across the state have committed their time and resources to ensure the timely completion of the chapel. Project organizers hope to raise more than $500,000 for the construction costs of the chapel. Visit campgruberchapel.org for more information.