Jarred Jiminez was in a small town in Texas when he received a call from his ex-wife. She informed him that she was going to give him a second chance to get his life in order so that he could be a father to his 2 children. All Jarred wanted was to be with his family, so the next day Jarred packed his bags, came to Oklahoma City, and chose to stay at the City Rescue Mission. His conscious decision to stay there resulted in him choosing to participate in TEEM’s program, and in December 2011 he came through the Career Development Workshop. He knew he had to get back on track so that he could be a part of his children’s lives.  His first impression of TEEM was a common one. “This place is all talk.” But by the end of the week he knew that he was wrong, and he was actually on his way to getting back on track. After the holiday break, Jarred came back to TEEM with a positive attitude and the knowledge that if he was willing to help himself, he was going to be able to get a job and win his family back. When he came back, Jarred participated in TEEM’s new ‘Construction Trades’ class. As a result, Jarred now has a full time job with Smith & Pickel Construction Company, and is working at the Chesapeake site. He has even received a promotion and a raise, and is working his way to a leadership position. He now has a vehicle and not only does he see his children regularly, he lives with them and their mother. He is so happy to be a part of their life again. He tells other students who are just starting at TEEM to stick with it, put work into it, and TEEM will bend over backwards for you. To Jarred, the key was taking everything one step at a time.

Somehow, somewhere, Leo’s spiritual nature was broken along the road of life, abused and left for dead. At birth, his parents entrusted him to a cult that would teach him untruths that he could not wholly embrace or accept. Somehow he made it from California to Oklahoma in the early 1990’s without any of his family or anyone who cared about him. He was taken in by a family in Oklahoma City, to which he still remains friends this day. He noticed TEEM banners that decorated the community at that time, and decided to give it a try. Upon his arrival, he learned that he had the spiritual need to be sober in order to be able to communicate with our source, and so he attended his first addictions meeting. Leo has now been sober for 12 years. When he came to TEEM, he found the offer of help and the belief that someone cares about him. He found pure and total acceptance and learned how to commit himself by making small but meaningful commitments. First, he committed to walking through the front door, which took a couple of tries. Once inside, he committed himself to completing the program and achieved his goal. TEEM gave him many abilities that he is only now discovering their purpose. Leo now works for the Chesapeake Arena Commissary and hopes to begin his own resource recovery business. He enjoys his life and continues to discover new purposes in everything he does.

Everyone has a choice, either be somebody or be someone. I want to be somebody. I want to take what I have and make it useful. I might be the smartest person in the world but I know one thing. TEEM will help me succeed.

Everyone wants to thrive at something. Some people don’t know what to thrive for. Happiness to some people is the simple things in life. How can one be simple and happy at the same time? People we surround ourselves with. If you knew better, you do better. Time doesn’t wait for anyone. Don’t let time pass you by. Not a second, minute, hour, day, month or year. I should have, could have or would have excelled at that but time wouldn’t let me. That’s not going to propel you to the heights you seek but the strain you don’t need. Patience is the key for everything we do. Things don’t happen overnight but gradually. If you believe in yourself and push a little harder, you will enjoy all benefits.  It’s better to have tried than to not have tried at all. Success wouldn’t be success without failure. If you’re dedicated and see bright things in your future, grasp it. Never let go and now destiny is in your own hands. Be unique and complex instead of wishing on a star. We’ve all been there.  “I wish“can change into “I will.” “I can’t” can turn into “I can.” “I don’t know” can turn into “I will learn.” Everyone has potential but something or someone has to expose it for us to see it.

My dedication to TEEM is to find my potential. TEEM has exposed me to new, simpler things you need to thrive. My goals intertwine with the system here at TEEM. The incredible staff has given me pointers and tips on how to be more determined on any task or subject. I will succeed because TEEM has given me the confidence I needed. A mirror shows a reflection of who you are; who you can become; who you are on a path to be. TEEM is that mirror. I don’t know where I would be if TEEM didn’t have an open-arms policy. Never think the worst, but dream the best. It can make you or break you. The road to success is getting clearer and clearer…. more near and more solidified. If I can make it here, I have already made it.

It's that time of year again! Beginning Monday, March 12, TEEM will be collecting personal hygiene items at the following locations:

Interbank

Comprehensive Dentistry

Allegiance Credit Union (All locations)

Lassiter Drug

Earl's Bricktown

A special thanks to all of this year's community partners!

This years needed items include:

SOAP

LOTION

CHAPSTICK

HAND SANITIZER

SHAVING CREAM

DISPOSABLE RAZORS

DEODARANT (NON-AEROSOL)

SUNSCREEN

COMBS/BRUSHES

FULL SIZE SHAMPOO

FULL SIZE CONDITIONER

FLOSS

TOOTHPASTE

MOUTHWASH

DENTURE CLEANING TABS

TOWELS/WASHCLOTHS

NEW UNDERGARMENTS

FEMALE PRODUCTS

EVERYDAY MEDICINES

Many of our clients do not have access to these items, which are often taken for granted during the summer months. If you are interested in donating any of these items, you may drop them off at any of the participating locations, or just drop them off at TEEM: 14 NE 13 st. OKC, OK 73104.

Our clients at TEEM will be so thankful for your support!

Lavetta Dupree (Illustration), Barnard Anderson (Essay), and Cindy McMahon (Poem) were the winners of TEEM's Black History Month contest, and today they enjoyed a guided tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol and honorary luncheon on behalf of Senatory Harry Coates! We all enjoyed the visit and wish these contestants the best of luck as they continue at TEEM!

Jerry Boone owned his own janitorial business, and it was rapidly growing and things seemed to be going well. So well, in fact, that he had to work both day and night shifts to keep his customers satisfied. In order to do this, he began taking Caffeine pills, which slowly tumbled out of control until one morning he awoke in a trash can with nothing more than the clothes on his back. He wandered for days trying to figure out who he was and how he had found himself there. He then ran into a man he had helped many years before who helped him in return by allowing him to stay at his home until Jerry figured things out. Through the grapevine he heard of a place called TEEM. He was surprised to find that when he came to TEEM, the staff treated him like a human being. He found a positive and delightful experience in the program at TEEM and learned valuable lessons of self-encouragement, discipline, and the will to never give up. TEEM taught him to skip the platitudes, emerge victorious, and take control of his future. Jerry is now the Director of Facilities and Maintenance at the First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He has worked there for 18 years, and is now attending college to study Business Science.

“As bad as it gets, there is always UP.”

LaVetta Dupree

Barnard Anderson

Cindy McMahon

These students will attend a tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol this Wednesday, February 29 and receive an honorary luncheon courtesy of Senator Harry Coates.

We are so proud of all the students who submitted this year!

Michael Ford grew up under the supervision of his older brothers. He acted out in class and got kicked out of high school during his junior year. Though he was only 17 at the time, he was allowed to come to TEEM. He was skeptical at first, but started listening in the Career Development Workshop, and began to see a turn for the better. He received his GED from TEEM, and continued taking classes here for some time. Following that, unfortunately, he fell back into his old habits. He was not working, homeless, and staying with family. He felt as though he was a burden to his family and ended up sleeping on the streets. When he found himself in this situation, it was then that he ran into TEEM’s administrative director, Michael Jackson, who helped him discover his options. He chose to visit his local Army recruiting office, and in January 2008, he joined the United States Military. He was an active duty member for 4 years and served in Iraq for one year. Now, Michael is attending Rose State University under the G. I. bill, and plans to continue his education at Boston University to study Criminal Law. Eventually, he wants to go to law school. He wants to clean up the streets and help others who may encounter the same challenges that have shaped his life. At TEEM, he learned that if you fall down, you must get back up.

“Never give up. Keep going with what you want to do.”

Inspired by the 50th & 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

    1 -- Today, I will reflect on what peace means to me.

    2 -- Today, I will look at opportunities to be a peacemaker.

    3 -- Today, I will practice nonviolence and respect for Mother Earth by making good use of her resources.

    4 -- Today, I will take time to admire and appreciate nature.

    5 -- Today, I will plant seeds--plants or constructive ideas.

    6 -- Today, I will hold a vision of plenty for all the world's hungry and be open to guidance as   to how I can help alleviate some of that hunger.

    7 -- Today, I will acknowledge every human being's fundamental right to justice, equity, and equality.

    8 -- Today, I will appreciate the earth's bounty and all of those who work to make my food available (i.e., grower, trucker, grocery clerk, cook, waitress, etc.)

    9 -- Today, I will work to understand and respect another culture.

    10 -- Today, I will oppose injustice, not people.

    11 -- Today, I will look beyond stereotypes and prejudices.

    12 -- Today, I will choose to be aware of what I talk about and I will refuse to gossip.

    13 -- Today, I will live in the present moment and release the past.

    14 -- Today, I will silently acknowledge all the leaders throughout the world.

    15 -- Today, I will speak with kindness, respect, and patience to every person that I talk with on the telephone.

    16 -- Today, I will affirm my value and worth with positive "self talk" and refuse to put myself down.

    17 -- Today, I will tell the truth and speak honestly from the heart.

    18 -- Today, I will cause a ripple effect of good by an act of kindness toward another.

    19 -- Today, I will choose to use my talents to serve others by volunteering a portion of my time.

    20 -- Today, I will say a blessing for greater understanding whenever I see evidence of crime, vandalism or graffiti.

    21 -- Today, I will say "No" to ideas or actions that violate me or others.

    22 -- Today, I will turn off anything that portrays or supports violence whether on television, in the movies, or on the Internet.

    23 -- Today, I will greet this day--everyone and everything--with openness and acceptance as if I were encountering them for the first time.

    24 -- Today, I will drive with tolerance and patience.

    25 -- Today, I will constructively channel my anger, frustration, or jealousy into healthy physical activities (i.e., doing sit-ups, picking up trash, taking a walk, etc).

    26 -- Today, I will take time to appreciate the people who provide me with challenges in my life, especially those who make me angry or frustrated.

    27 -- Today, I will talk less and listen more.

    28 -- Today, I will notice the peacefulness in the world around me.

    29 -- Today, I will recognize that my actions directly affect others.

    30 -- Today, I will take time to tell a family member or friend how much they mean to me.

    31 -- Today, I will acknowledge and thank someone for acting kindly.

    32 -- Today, I will send a kind, anonymous message to someone.

    33 -- Today, I will identify something special in everyone I meet.

    34 -- Today, I will discuss ideas about nonviolence with a friend to gain new perspectives.

    35 -- Today, I will practice praise rather than criticism.

    36 -- Today, I will strive to learn from my mistakes.

    37 -- Today, I will tell at least one person they are special and important.

    38 -- Today, I will hold children tenderly in thought and/or action.

    39 -- Today, I will listen without defending and speak without judgment.

    40 -- Today, I will help someone in trouble.

    41 -- Today, I will listen with an open heart to at least one person.

    42 -- Today, I will treat the elderly I encounter with respect and dignity.

    43 -- Today, I will treat the children I encounter with respect and care, knowing that I serve as a model to them.

    44 -- Today, I will see my so-workers in a new light--with understanding and compassion.

    45 -- Today, I will be open to other ways of thinking and acting that are different from my own.

    46 -- Today, I will think of at least three alternate ways I can handle a situation when confronted with conflict.

    47 -- Today, I will work to help others resolve differences.

    48 -- Today, I will express my feeling honestly and nonviolently with respect for myself and others.

    49 -- Today, I will sit down with my family for one meal.

    50 -- Today, I will set an example of a peacemaker by promoting nonviolent responses.

    51 -- Today, I will use no violent language.

    52 -- Today, I will pause for reflection.

    53 -- Today, I will hold no one hostage to the past, seeing each-as I see myself-as a work in process.

    54 -- Today, I will make a conscious effort to smile at someone whom I have held a grudge against in the past.

    55 -- Today, I will practice compassion and forgiveness by apologizing to someone whom I have hurt in the past.

    56 -- Today, I will reflect on whom I need to forgive and take at least one step in that direction.

    57 -- Today, I will forgive myself.

    58 -- Today, I will embrace the spiritual belief of my heart in my own personal and reflective way.

    59 -- Today, I will enlarge my capacity to embrace differences and appreciate the value of every human being.

    60 -- Today, I will be compassionate in my thoughts, words, and actions.

    61 -- Today, I will cultivate my moral strength and courage through education and creative nonviolent action.

    62 -- Today, I will practice compassion and forgiveness for myself and others.

    63 -- Today, I will use my talents to serve others as well as myself.

    64 -- Today, I will serve humanity by dedicating myself to a vision greater than myself.