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COMMUNITY

Lions Meadows of Hope

Lions Meadows of Hope is a local nonprofit organization focused on uniting brothers and sisters in foster care , surrounding them with a community of hope , and helping them grow into caring and productive adults . They envision an end to the cycle of abuse and neglect that passes from one generation to the next , by keeping sibling groups together , properly training , and supporting foster parents .
PHOTOS / BBJNDESIGNS

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Lions Meadows of Hope new family center

In 1938 , the Main family donated 160 acres of land to serve kids with no parents . This started as the Oklahoma Lions Boys Ranch and served boys in a group home setting . In 2015 the organization transitioned to a foster care setting . In the group home
“ That ’ s really the reason we built the family center ,” said Larison .
“ We wanted a gathering space for our families , not just the families on the campus but all of the foster families we have ”.
To start this project LMOH received a $ 200,000 grant from the
setting adults were employed by the organization , in a foster care
Mabee Foundation , $ 100,000 from the Lions Club International
setting the adults are volunteers with full time jobs elsewhere .
Foundation , and a $ 100,000 donation from the Downtown Oklahoma
“ We started that program with the intention of keeping brothers
City Lions Club . The rest of the funding came from the LMOH
and sisters together ,” said Bryan Larison , Executive Director . “ We
Capital Campaign , including all of the LMOH board members who
have five homes on our campus that were built specifically for foster
each gave a gift of personal significance .
families to serve large sibling groups .”
“ The hope is that we will also have ongoing
Foster parents live in these homes for free
opportunities for counseling , tutoring , after
when they agree to take in sibling groups
school programs and more at the center ,”
of four or more . On average there are about
said Larison . “ We want it to be a place where
30 children living in these five homes at any
our community can volunteer and serve our
given time . This makes it extremely difficult
foster families .”
for families who want to host birthday parties
LMOH broke ground for the family center
, have people over for dinner , or simply
on February 7 , 2022 .
just entertain . Because of this , Lions set out
to build a 4,500 square foot family center .
Staff and board break ground on the family center .
COMMERCE | 2023 Profile Magazine of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce