Data shared at first quarterly update for ABWOK Program

At the City Council Oversight Committee Meeting of 10/9/25, Environmental & Sustainability Manager Michele Loudenback presented a Quarter 1+ Update on the A Better Way - Opportunity Knocks program that was launched in Norman in June 2025.

Under this program, a City-owned van operates on a two-week, rotating basis, transporting up to eight participants per day from various locations for day labor beautification initiatives. The program is low-barrier and provides wages to those who choose to participate. Priority for participation is given first to individuals experiencing or recovering from Opioid Use Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. Participants are brought to predetermined City-owned sites to perform the beautification tasks, such as litter removal. Their efforts help keep neighborhoods clean, speed up the timeline for mowing priority areas, tidy up certain parks preceding major events and more. The program was implemented after being studied at other municipalities in and out of state.

Wrap-around services are also a key component to the success of the program - which is managed by Oklahoma Mental Health Association Oklahoma and overseen by the City of Norman, provided by state grant funding and general city funding allocations.

"The purpose is a cleaner community, yes, but also a pathway to stability," Loudenback said. "The wrap-around services as part of this program help to address root causes of homelessness through recovery and stability; provide case management for addiction recovery, housing and healthcare; and implement employment training and plans for long-term placement support."

FAST STATS FROM (OCTOBER 2025) UPDATE

• From June 2025 to September 2025 -
  • Participants: 89 van riders and 320 referrals
    • 57 people enrolled in job program
      • 3 people have gained permanent employment
    • 17 people have received medical and/or mental health referrals
    • 14 people have received assistance to obtain vital records
    • 2 people have been referred for permanent housing assistance
    • 2 people have been referred to begin recovery services
    • 5 people have begun process to receive needed, specialized benefits
    • 32.9 tons of debris collected
    • 185 locations served
    • 7 litter pickup requests filled
  • 32.9 tons of debris collected
  • 185 locations served
  • 7 litter pickup requests filled

Certain benchmarks of the program have already exceeded expectations, to include an original goal of 10% of participants enrolling in the job program. Data shows 64% of participants have enrolled in the job program. Additionally, 100% of engaged participants have submitted job applications, compared to the 20% original target.

Quarterly updates are expected to continue at future Oversight Committee meetings. To refer someone to the program or learn more, email [email protected].

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