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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 21, 2022)—More than 200 youth in the custody of the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) are being remembered by Santa Claus this year.
OJA staff members are working with the Santa Claus Commission to make sure the youth spending Christmas in the 10 group homes and one specialized community home across the state that have contracts with OJA and the agency’s secure-care treatment facility, Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC) in Tecumseh, are remembered during the holiday season. The gifts are being distributed by OJA staff to 210 OJA custody youth in placement.
OJA staff wrapped gifts for the youth and are now delivering them. The gifts were purchased with funds provided by the Santa Claus Commission, which was formed in 1937. The commission is managed by OJA and is responsible for the purchase and distribution of gifts as part of Title 10, Section 361 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Public funds are not used to purchase gifts. The commission currently operates from private donations and collects interest from the dollars currently available in the Santa Claus Commission Fund.
“Youth in OJA custody are completing treatment and rehabilitation away from their families and home,” said OJA Executive Director Rachel Holt. “During the holiday season, it is important for us to remember that they are still children and let them feel supported with a holiday gift. I tell the youth that if they are successful in their program this can be the last holiday in their lifetime that they are away from home. This is a powerful reminder of the work our OJA staff and contracted staff do every day to change the future for justice-involved youth.”
All the youth received a backpack, coloring book, composition book, photobook, a candy bar, lip balm, a pair of fuzzy socks and body wash.
OJA youth in group homes also received a pack of colored pencils and a gift card. Oklahoma’s Credit Union again this year is donating the activation cost for all the cards. COJC youth received funds applied to their canteen account, an individually directed fund that allows the youth to purchase facility-approved items such as candy, soft drinks and hygiene products. Instead of colored pencils, youth in secure care will receive an additional candy bar.
Oklahoma’s Credit Union is waiving the usual processing fee for the gift cards.
“We understand the importance of supporting Oklahoma kids and applaud the Office of Juvenile Affairs for making this positive impact through the Santa Claus Commission,” said Oklahoma’s Credit Union Chief Experience Officer Jennifer Lown.
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 Juvenile Justice Specialist II Amanda Foreman, with the Office of Juvenile Affairs Juvenile Services Unit District 3 office in Oklahoma City, wraps a present for one of more than 200 youth in OJA custody. The gifts were purchased with funds provided by the Santa Claus Commission.
 Assistant District Supervisor Melissa Cupp for the Office of Juvenile Affairs Juvenile Services Unit District 3 office in Oklahoma City finishes packing a present for one of more than 200 youth in OJA custody. The gifts were purchased with funds provided by the Santa Claus Commission.
 District Supervisor Jaremy Andrews for the Office of Juvenile Affairs Juvenile Services Unit District 3 office in Oklahoma City shows off a gift box he finished packing for one of more than 200 youth in OJA custody. The gifts were purchased with funds provided by the Santa Claus Commission.
For additional information, contact:
Michael McNutt / Communications Director
405-249-6072 (cell)
michael.mcnutt@oja.ok.gov
Paula Christiansen / Public Information Officer
405-530-2814 (office) or 405-620-6483 (cell)
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