The nonprofit Family Promise of Lawton supports families on the brink of homelessness without filling its emergency shelter.
Through its shelter diversion program, the organization mediates with landlords on behalf of families to keep them housed as the staff helps stabilize their situations.
“We’ve already made a significant impact,” says executive director Sarah Svec. “Our diversion program has nearly tripled, and we’ve only had four households that eventually needed emergency shelter.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma awarded Family Promise a $30,000 grant as part of its Blue Impact℠ program, which funds organizations addressing social and economic factors that affect health, including housing insecurity.
Family Promise’s shelter diversion program has provided resources to dozens of families facing eviction. The Blue Impact grant supports case management, financial assistance and social services needed to increase housing stability and reduce the length and frequency of homelessness.
“As an Oklahoma-grown company, we are uniquely aware of the factors that affect our state’s health,” says Brooke Townsend, BCBSOK community affairs director. “Our Blue Impact grants target barriers to a healthy life, such as having a good-paying job, nutritious food and stable housing.”
Last year, BCBSOK awarded 21 nonprofits statewide more than $993,000 in Blue Impact grants. Fifty percent of the grants were awarded to rural communities and statewide programs, while the remaining funds were awarded to the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas.
A little more than an hour southwest of Oklahoma City, Lawton has an estimated 90,000 residents, with nearly 20% living in poverty.
In 2024, Family Promise developed the diversion program in response to overwhelming need. The nonprofit’s emergency shelter was full, with as many as 30 families on a waiting list to receive services. Staff morale was low, and Svec needed a way to stretch her resources.
With support from her organization’s national headquarters, Svec started negotiating with landlords to hold on a little longer before evicting anyone.
“I got brave, picked up the phone and started calling people,” she says. “They were okay with diversion as long as families were working with us to find housing.”
Case managers assess each household's needs, housing barriers and support networks. Financial assistance can cover rent deposits, utility arrears, transportation or documentation required for housing applications. Staff also coordinate access to services, including benefits enrollment, employment support, childcare and mental health care.
Additionally, families receive follow-up case management to ensure ongoing housing stability, which helps children avoid frequently changing schools.
“We are working with people who are dedicated to moving forward,” Svec says.