[As we approach the holiday season, OCPA is sharing stories of real people whose lives have been impacted by some of our work over the past year. Without supporters like you, this work would not have been possible.]

A message from her son’s teacher brought tears to LaKesha’s eyes. But this time, the tears were those of joy. The teacher told LaKesha that her son, Kaleb, was now receiving As and Bs in school.

Since first grade, Kaleb had developmental disabilities. Despite having an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and tutoring, he was stuck in an education rut with little apparent hope of escape.

A single parent in Tulsa, LaKesha had seen many young men give up at a certain point, and she didn’t want that to happen to her son. Her prayers were answered when she found Crossover Preparatory Academy, a private school in north Tulsa.

Thanks to the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act, a law which OCPA helped to draft, design, and enact in 2011, Crossover Prep is able to grant tax-credit-financed scholarships to low-income families. The school’s mission statement is: “Restoring our community by developing educated, godly young men.” Soon, Kaleb had caught up to his grade level and was winning academic awards.

OCPA works diligently every year to expand the tax-credit scholarship program that provides students with the education that meets their needs and helps them excel. We want our state to thrive and our children, like Kaleb, to have the best future possible.

Because of your partnership with OCPA, Kaleb and many other Oklahoma children are excelling in academics and having a brighter future.

I hope that you’ll consider partnering with OCPA once again with a year-end gift of $100, $50, $25, or whatever you can afford so we can continue to promote the flourishing of all Oklahomans as we enter the New Year. You can give to OCPA by clicking here.