Avedis Foundation has highlighted its work over the past year, which included several projects in Seminole.

“Avedis invested more than $4.6 million in 2025 as part of the Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve,” stated Avedis President and CEO, Dr. Kathy Laster. Since being formed in 2012, Avedis Foundation has invested more than $74 million in Pottawatomie County and its neighboring communities.

In June 2025, Avedis Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant to Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum to support the development of the museum’s newest exhibit, the Nature Tales Trail—an accessible, intergenerational outdoor experience designed to bring children, families, and seniors together through naturebased play.

The Nature Tales Trail is an easy, one-third-mile walking path that winds through themed gardens and around the museum’s scenic pond. Designed to foster shared experiences across generations, the Nature Tales Trail supports physical, emotional, and social well-being by encouraging families and seniors to engage together in a safe, engaging environment.

Eileen Castle, executive director of Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, expressed gratitude for the grant, noting the project reflects the museum’s mission of inclusive play. She said the trail helps connect “our aging communities and children through inclusive nature play.”

Avedis Foundation also supported the 2025 revival of the historic Van-Sanford Apartments in Seminole, marking a new area of strategic investment focused on community renewal through public-private partnership. Once Seminole’s first permanent multi-family residence, the Van-Sanford Apartments symbolized progress during the oil boom era and now stand as a model for preserving history while meeting modern community needs.

The restoration project, led by GuRuStu Communities, includes 12 fully renovated apartments that blend historically appropriate architectural details with modern amenities, including accessibility features for individuals with physical disabilities. Avedis’ investment—combined with historic tax credits—helps ensure the building’s legacy continues to serve Seminole residents for generations to come.

The Foundation also awarded a grant of $82,800 in December to Seminole Public Schools for the completion of a new Outdoor Fitness Court at Seminole High School, providing a free, accessible space for physical activity and adaptive equipment for students and community members of all ages and abilities.

Open during daylight hours outside of school use, the Fitness Court will serve Seminole Public Schools students, Seminole State College students, and the broader community.

Seminole Public Schools had earlier secured $150,700 through grants from the National Fitness Campaign/Blue Cross Blue Shield partnership and the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). The grant from Avedis Foundation closes the remaining gap needed to purchase and install the facility.

“Seminole Public Schools is honored and grateful for the support,” stated Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg. “We are excited for the positive impact this will bring to our families, students, and neighbors.”

Impact Seminole, a nonprofit aimed at promoting community well-being and educational excellence, was awarded $2,250 to support videography, print materials, and visual renderings that amplify its mission of community transformation, showcase recent education initiatives, and share its vision for a future community hub in Seminole.

Other Highlights from 2025 Meeting Basic Needs and Stabilizing Families in Crisis In May 2025, Avedis awarded $23,000 to Legacy Parenting Center to support its Earn While You Learn program. The grant helped provide parent education, mentoring, diapers, formula, transportation assistance, and wraparound services for low-income families during pregnancy and early childhood— laying a foundation for healthier outcomes for both parents and children.

Avedis Foundation also awarded a $23,784 grant to Safe Families Oklahoma to launch the Safe Families: Pottawatomie County Initiative, a volunteer-driven program focused on stabilizing families in crisis and preventing child neglect. The initiative provides temporary child hosting, parental mentorship, and resource navigation to help families safely navigate short-term challenges.

Working in partnership with local schools, churches, and social service agencies, Safe Families Oklahoma identifies families most in need and delivers timely, compassionate support designed to keep children safe while preserving family unity whenever possible.

In August 2025, Avedis Foundation awarded a $20,000 grant to Infant Crisis Services to expand the reach of its BabyMobile program in Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. The grant supports the delivery of life-sustaining essentials— formula, food, and diapers—to babies and toddlers during times of crisis, helping ensure families can meet their children’s most basic needs.

Through the BabyMobile, families receive a week’s supply of diapers and age-appropriate food or formula for each child under the age of four, up to four times per year. The organization also connects families with additional community resources to address broader needs.

In December 2025, Avedis awarded a $73,000 grant to Youth and Family Resource Center (YFRC) to sustain and strengthen its Children’s Emergency Resource Center—an eightbed, 24/7 emergency shelter providing immediate refuge for children in crisis.

YFRC Executive Director Kelsey Menifee stated, “Thanks to this generous investment, we can meet the growing demand for safe, trauma-informed shelter for youth in crisis. We are grateful for this partnership protecting the well-being of vulnerable children in our community.”

The Children’s Emergency Resource Center delivers comprehensive services designed to stabilize children, support healing, and guide them toward safe, long-term placements. Over the next year, this funding is expected to help stabilize at least 35 children in crisis.

Facility Safety for Survivors In May 2025, Avedis Foundation awarded a $91,464 grant to Project: SAFE to support critical facility upgrades that enhance safety, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. Project: SAFE provides advocacy, emergency shelter, and a 24/7 crisis hotline for individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties.

The grant from Avedis allows Project: SAFE to address essential facility needs, including enhanced security measures, and completion of ADA-compliant renovations. These improvements help create a more secure, welcoming environment for survivors.

Food Security In August 2025, Avedis Foundation awarded a $175,000 grant to Community Market of Pottawatomie County (CMPC) to expand access to fresh, healthy food and strengthen support for individuals and families facing food insecurity. This grant supports high-capacity food distribution and services that help residents meet basic needs while working toward long-term stability. Further, the grant enhances CMPC’s ability to serve more local residents each year.

During the 43-day shutdown of the U.S. federal government, Community Market experienced a surge of guests who had been directly affected by the SNAP funding lapse, representing a year-overyear increase in service of approximately 39%. An emergency grant of $66,000 by Avedis in late October 2025 proved to be critical for meeting the sharp increase in demand for Community Market to serve many additional residents who were not sure where to turn for help.

“We saw first-hand in late 2025 how quickly food security can be taken away,” observed Dr. Kathy Laster. “The impact on Community Market following SNAP funding cuts led to the greatest demand for service Community Market has experienced since COVID. These grants reflect our commitment to providing food and hope to those experiencing food insecurity in Pottawatomie County,” Dr. Laster concluded.

Safe Housing and Community Stability In February 2025, Avedis Foundation awarded a $500,000 operations grant to Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County, continuing its long-term investment in relational health and community stability. The funding supports Community Renewal’s relationship-centered work strengthening neighborhoods, schools, and families through intentional connection.

Community Renewal Executive Director Brandon Dyer noted, “Relationships are the most valuable and value-producing asset any of us have. Over time, we can grow the kind of community we all want if we intentionally invest in meaningful relationships.”

Community Renewal serves more than 1,400 students across 10 local campuses with character development, leadership, and prevention programming. Its Elevate classes for chronically absent or at-risk students have cut absences in half, improved GPAs, and increased likelihood for students’ completion of post-secondary education. Adult programming—including Friendship Houses— builds stronger neighborhoods through mentorship and support; in 2024, 156 adults completed relational health courses and nearly 500 neighbors participated in community block gatherings.

“Avedis Foundation is proud to support the ongoing work of Community Renewal’s dedicated staff and board of directors,” said Dr. Kathy Laster. “We are incredibly thankful for Brandon and his team’s unwavering commitment to our community, making it a better place for all.”

In December 2025, Avedis Foundation awarded a grant of $85,000 for Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity to establish an Emergency Repair Fund for low-income homeowners in Shawnee. Many residents—particularly seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and families with limited incomes—live in aging homes with unsafe conditions they cannot afford to repair.

The grant supports critical health- and safety-related home repairs, provided at no cost to homeowners, including roofing, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC repairs, weatherization, and accessibility modifications such as ramps and grab bars. Improvements like these reduce injury risk, promote energy efficiency, and help residents safely remain in their homes.

Youth Development, Education, and Opportunity In July 2025, Avedis Foundation awarded a $158,133 grant to The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Club of Shawnee. The Red Shield Youth Club is a safe, supportive haven for children outside school hours, offering structured programming that promotes educational achievement, personal growth, and overall health and well-being. Youth receive daily snacks and meals, academic assistance, opportunities for physical activity, and leadership development in a nurturing environment.

The grant ensures that more children can safely p a rti ci p a te — e sp e ci a l l y those who might otherwise lack reliable transportation. “This grant from Avedis will enable us to serve and transport more children for our after-school program without cost being a barrier,” said Julio Sanchez, executive director of the Red Shield Youth Center.

Avedis awarded a $23,620 grant to Uplift Mentoring in 2025 to support the expansion of its PACE Afterschool Mentoring Initiative for the 2025–26 school year. The grant helps provide affordable, high-quality after-school care for families in need, offering a safe and nurturing environment where children can connect with caring mentors and build confidence.

The funding supports expanded programming that emphasizes wholechild development through engaging, hands-on activities. Participants benefit from one-on-one mentoring with Uplift’s licensed professional counselor, hands-on STEM projects led by OSU Extension, creative arts sessions in partnership with the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, and recreational outlets such as sports clinics. A key component of the expansion is the launch of the Motion Bike Club, which uses cycling to strengthen mentor- mentee relationships while promoting physical activity, emotional well-being, and healthy habits.

Uplift Mentoring Executive Director Ryan Brooks noted that the expanded initiative creates “safe, enriching spaces for youth to connect, grow, and thrive through mentorship and movement.”

InDecember2025,Avedis awarded a $5,000 grant to Kids Action Inc. to support its Bikes for Kids program, which provides bicycles to children in need across Pottawatomie County. The program also teaches bike safety and maintenance, and offers additional family support such as clothing and basic supplies. Working with schools and community partners through a nomination process, the program ensures that bikes go to those most in need. In 2025, Bikes for Kids sought to distribute up to 500 bicycles, educate 500 children, and support 500 families.

Avedis also awarded a $5,000 grant to Girl Scouts– Western Oklahoma to expand access to Girl Scout programming for girls and troop leaders in Pottawatomie County. The grant supports the Shawnee Service Unit—home to seven troops and more than 130 members— by reducing financial barriers and opening doors to leadership, STEM learning, and community engagement opportunities.

“With this support, we will be able to bring STEM and leadership opportunities to girls in the Shawnee area, along with connection and friendship,” said Taylor Trousdale, proposals and partnership manager for Girl Scouts–Western Oklahoma.

Avedis Foundation awarded a $75,000 grant to the Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM) at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center to expand its Hope Behind Bars initiative, increasing access to college education for incarcerated women. The grant allows participants to enroll in up to four college courses per semester, accelerating degree completion and expanding access.

Oklahoma incarcerates women at the highest rate of any independent democratic country, often resulting in family separation and long-term harm. Hope Behind Bars addresses these challenges through post-secondary education. Since 2022, the program has supported 88 students, with 13 women earning college degrees.

“Education is one of the strongest tools we have for breaking cycles of poverty and incarceration,” said Dr. Kathy Laster. “TEEM’s Hope Behind Bars Initiative demonstrates what becomes possible when women are given real pathways to learning, dignity, and opportunity.”

“The Hope Behind Bars program helps prevent future involvement with the criminal justice system by redeeming time spent in a correctional setting and creating a foundation for success,” said Kris Steele, TEEM executive director.

Building Stability through Financial Literacy In July, Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty received a grant of $20,000 to support its “Getting Ahead” program, designed to empower individuals and families to break cycles of generational poverty and build pathways to stability.

The program, offered at no cost, has demonstrated success among its participants whose completion of “Getting Ahead” has led to significant life changes, including securing better- paying jobs, pursuing higher education, and building supportive peer networks to help sustain their progress.