OSU-Tulsa HEP Students Raise Money for Local Nonprofit Organization

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa students exceeded expectations by designing theoretical programs for community organizations to implement. Groups of Health Education and Promotion (HEP) students in Micah Hartwell’s Program Design course researched, located and interviewed local organizations as a semester-long project.

One group not only designed a program, but actually implemented it as well. Bailey Mathes, Angela Moore and Andrew Vang chose to work with youth through the nonprofit organization, John 3:16 Mission.

John 3:16 Mission is a nonprofit church that shares the Gospel with Tulsa’s hungry, homeless and at-risk people, while also providing food, shelter, clothing and safety.

After contacting the John 3:16 Mission youth pastor, the Program Design group assessed the needs and issues of the organization. They then created an after school program called P.R.A.Y. to encourage physical activity for the youth. The group generated a mission statement, goals and objectives for the program.

Although the project was intended to be theoretical, it quickly took on a life of its own. The group made a significant impact on the organization by collecting donations for the after school program and raising nearly $500 in monetary and equipment donations.

“These students are not only exceptional students who exemplify what it means to be a Cowboy, but they are also providing support to organizations within the community. The passion of these students in OSU-Tulsa's Health Education and Promotion program is amazing,” Hartwell said.

While this project has prepared HEP students for future careers, it has also given them hands-on experience and a more informed perspective on the world around them.

“I encourage people to get out in their community and learn how they can give back. There are so many ways you can help, including donating,” Moore said. “So many of our local charities depend heavily on donations and simply would not be able to survive without them.”