ABOUT US
We are an Oklahoma 501(C)3 non-profit organization providing Christ-centered Prison Aftercare Programs to help men, married couples, & families rebuild their lives. We offer a hand up and not a hand out to restore hope and dignity to hurting people.
As a faith-based Christian organization we follow biblical teachings particularly found in Matthew 25:35-36 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, 36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ In doing so, we become the “hands and feet of Christ ” to our neighbors who are struggling and in need of hope and a hand up.
MISSION & VISION
MISSION STATEMENT
Hand Up Ministries will strive to break the cycle of incarceration, poverty, and homelessness by restoring hope and dignity through Christ-centered supportive aftercare programs that address the barriers to successful reintegration.
VISION STATEMENT
Reimagining a world where everyone has a place to call home, belong, and thrive.
Core Values
Our Beliefs
YOU ARE VALUABLE.
We are dedicated to the belief that everyone has value and is redeemable. We are committed to helping our neighbors who want a chance to rebuild their lives after prison or homelessness. Participants must be willing to cooperate and particpate in their own recovery by developing tools for self-sufficiency physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In doing so, they have an opportunity to regain hope and dignity and a better life. Many lives have been restored through compassion and practical ministry.
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Our Approach
OFFERING A HAND UP
HAND UP MINISTRIES began in 1996 to address homelessness among men and women leaving prison. Oklahoma is 4th in the nation for incarceration. 1 out of 5 are likely to end up homeless and at risk for reoffending without supportive reintegration.
Highly vulnerable in the first days of freedom, ex-offenders often lack necessities to get on their feet, like securing housing, income, food—even a driver’s license. Seventy percent are coping with a substance use disorder and 25 percent have a serious mental health illness. They face myriad of challenges to achieving self-sufficiency. Without support, nearly 34 percent of adult ex-offenders in states like Indiana will return to prison within three years after release, according to the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC).
Our Impact
A STRUCTURED PROGRAM OF REENTRY
Through the years Hand Up Ministries has helped hundreds of men and women successfully reintegrate into society. After release, many are unemployed and without proper identification to seek employment and obtain stable housing the prospects are grim. Hand Up serves as a stop gap to help them overcome obstacles prevent homelessness. Our clients are expected to become self-sufficient and self-supporting by participating in work programs, paying for living expenses, and volunteering.
We provide a structured program whereby we assist a client's reintegration into society: getting identification, social security card, housing, food, clothing, household items, hygiene, items and most importantly a job. We also help them address underlying mental health and substance abuse issues and connect to community resources. Result: Less than 4% Recidivism among Hand Up participants and 94% average employment rate among these former convicts.
Our Team
Through our reentry programs, community partnerships, and reintegration efforts, we endeavor to make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need and promote lasting change.
Hand Up Ministries was founded in July of 1996 by a man with a vision inspired by God to offer help to men and women exiting prison without anywhere to go. Over the years, this ministry has grown exponentially and has helped many hundreds of men and women. Our leadership team takes a ‘hands on’ approach in working with every resident to achieve success.
We follow the early church mission of not only teaching the Word and practical application. We believe hope and dignity can be restored by first attending to a person's basic need for food, clothing, and shelter. Secondly, we help them put together a plan that includes finding employment and taking care of financial obligations. Our programs are designed to work on the mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well being of our residents. Our goal is to facilitate successful reintegration into society as demonstrated by achieving stable housing, employment, paying bills and fines, connecting to supportive services, and improvement in the overall feeling of well-being.
Our Leadership & Board
David Nichols
CEO/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
David Nichols is the Founder and CEO/ED for Hand Up Ministries and has been the visionary of the organization since its inception in 1996. Offering a Hand Up not a Hand out has always been his ‘mantra’ for years and is why HUM is so successful in rehabilitating lives. David has a background in business management and ministry and is passionate about seeing broken lives restored through faith in Jesus Christ and hard work. His belief that God values every person's life is the driving force behind everything he does. He spends much of his time securing housing and making sure the men and women have everything they need to get a new start. He envisions a day when every resident has a permanent place to call home and is working tirelessly to see it fulfilled.
contact: david@huminc.org
Ray R.
DIRECTOR OF HAND UP OKLAHOMA
CRay oversees the management at all Hand Up locations including Hand Up Ministries and Love Foundation. He is responsible for training of managers and staff. In addition, Ray ensures that the day to day operations runs smoothly, monitors the morale of staff and clients, the upkeep of the locations, and handles purchasing and acquisition of trailers and equipment. In addition to the key leadership role he plays at HUM, he is the staff liaison for the Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Resources.
contact: ray@huminc.org
Stephen Y.
MANAGER: HUM CAMPUS 1 - MEN'S AFTERCARE
Stephen supervises Hand Up Ministries largest campus HUM Park 1 where most of the men in the program reside. He oversees the staff and develops transition plans and strategies for all residents, including referrals to outside placement services. Stephen's role in supervision of housing assignments, training and educating staff and residents on best practices ensures that all Park 1 residents have a safe and peaceful place to call home. contact: stephen@huminc.org
Jeff W.
MANAGER: HUM CAMPUS 2 - FAMILIES & MARRIED COUPLES AFTERCARE
Jeff manages the day-to-day operations at HUM II where our married couples and families with children reside. One of the roles he enjoys is leading the spiritual and personal direction of the residents. He is responsible for the administrative tasks including maintaining fee records, work orders, resource acquisition, and handles law enforcement, legal compliance, and code enforcement issues. Jeff assists with the review, approval/denial process of new applications, and overseeing ongoing compliance with residents and facilities. He is a die-hard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the professional hockey team Las Vegas Golden Knights. He will be celebrating his 15th year with Hand Up Ministries.
contact: jeff@huminc.org
Greg R.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Greg serves in the crucial role of assisting new arrivals in getting re-established in the community. He is responsible for formulating an Action Plan for every new resident which includes connecting them to resources for healthcare, identification documents, mental health, food, transportation, clothing, and employment. In addition, Greg plays a key role in establishing and maintaining ongoing relationships with employers and connecting residents with job and training opportunities. Employment of residents plays a vital role in funding the ministry and restoring hope and dignity for its residents.
contact: greg@huminc.org
Mark R.
COMMUNITY LIAISON
Mark has the monumental task of reviewing, processing, and tracking all new applications. As the Community Liaison, he maintains contact with case managers prior to prison release and keeps records and management updated. Mark keeps apprised of legislation and works with legislature and other stakeholders for the betterment of the residents and the ministry. He is also involved in community partnership development, grant writing, and donor relations.
contact: mark@huminc.org
William B.
FINANCE COMPTROLLER
William is responsible for the processing of payables and receivables including billing of program fees and other financial management tasks. He provides weekly financial reports to the CEO and upper management. In addition to maintaining internal fiscal controls, he provides resident education on the budgeting and billing process, assists residents with budgeting and coordinates purchasing.
contact: bill@huminc.org
Rob T.
BOOKKEEPER
Rob is responsible for bookkeeping tasks for Hand Up Ministries. He manages the petty cash and other administrative tasks and provides financial reports to the CEO and Board of Directors.
contact: rob@huminc.org
Bill G.
CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
Bill is the Foreman and has responsibility for handling construction and maintenance housing at all Hand Up Ministries locations. He oversees progress and quality and procurement of equipment and materials. In addition, Bill is involved in the planning of the current and future projects of this rapidly growing re-entry residential ministry.
contact: billg@huminc.org
Timothy S.
FRONT DESK CLERK
Timothy receives new arrivals to Hand Up Ministries and files intake NOD for registration. He notifies the Pardon and Parole office of new arrivals and sets appointments for registration and orientation. He maintains the Resident Master List, issues resident housing assignments, and handles and distributes mail and food donations. He also keeps meeting attendance compliance records.
contact: timothy@huminc.org
Board of Directors
David Nichols, President and CEO
david@huminc.org | (405) 613-3120
Governance, and Fundraising
Don Melchiorre, Vice President
dondino@dondinoshow.com | (702) 688-3165
Committees: Governance, Finance, Fundraising
Ray Riddle, Secretary/Treasurer
ray@huminc.org | 405-738-8910
Committees: Governance & Finance
Mim Martin Nichols, Board Member
Board Member At Large
