SidexSide OKC

10/07/2026

21 cohorts. A whole lot of people behind them.

Last night, we did something simple: we gathered with some of the partners who have helped make the work of SidexSide possible.

Our participants may be the ones doing the hard work of building a new path forward, but they don't do it alone. Employers, referral partners, instructors, community organizations, and friends have continued to show up alongside them, opening doors, sharing expertise, making connections, and creating opportunities.

So after 21 cohorts, we raised a glass to the people who keep saying yes.

We're incredibly grateful for this community and everything we've built together. Here's to what's next.

09/11/2026

Oklahoma City nonprofit SidexSide received its third Pay for Success loan after achieving a 95% career placement rate among participants.

09/11/2026

We honored and thankful for this partnership with likeminded organizations.

We're excited to share that SidexSide OKC has been awarded its third Pay for Success (PFS) loan, backed by the Oklahoma Impact Investing Collaborative and in partnership with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

Since launching in 2023, SidexSide has been transforming lives by helping individuals overcome barriers to employment, including housing instability, justice involvement, addiction, and generational poverty. Through its innovative, human-centered workforce development model, the organization has achieved remarkable outcomes.

SidexSide's program combines power skills training, industry-recognized certifications, and paid Earn & Learn opportunities that connect participants directly with local employers.

"SidexSide connects overlooked talent with meaningful work, and their clients graduate from the program with renewed self-sufficiency, dignity, and a brighter future," said Austin Marshall, Business Development Officer for the Oklahoma Impact Investing Collaborative.

funding ensures public dollars are invested in proven outcomes, with repayment tied directly to measurable success.

We are honored to support organizations like SidexSide that are creating lasting opportunities for Oklahomans while helping employers meet workforce needs.

Read more here: https://www.metafund.org/news/sidexside-builds-on-successful-employment-model-with-latest-pay-for-success-funding

08/24/2026

Alumni Highlight!

Corey Burger graduated from Cohort 9 in December 2024 and began working at a local nonprofit serving individuals experiencing homelessness in January 2025. Since then, he has continued building his career, recently earned a promotion to Camp Rehousing Case Manager, and reached several major personal milestones along the way.

In Corey’s words:

“Steady employment means gaining back my independence. Since graduating from the SidexSide program, I have my license back, bought a car, and have my own apartment. Steady employment means working somewhere I can be reliable, continue learning, and build a long-term career. Steady employment equals freedom!”

Corey credits the skills he developed through SidexSide and the support network he has built at work with helping him continue moving forward.

His work and personal life have become more stable. He has grown more confident, strengthened his communication skills, and feels better prepared to handle challenges and pursue new opportunities.

This is why long-term employment matters. Placement may be the first milestone, but retention creates the opportunity for independence, stability, confidence, and continued advancement.

We are proud to celebrate Corey and grateful to our partners for working with us to facilitate stability and growth in our community and workforce.

07/24/2026

“Our past may explain our story, but it does not determine our destination.”

One of the most powerful moments from our Cohort 19 graduation. These graduates have shown resilience, courage, and a determination to do more than simply survive.

The best chapters of their stories are still waiting to be written.

07/17/2026

Cohort 19 has officially graduated.

Last night, we celebrated those who showed up, pushed through challenges, built new skills, and kept moving forward.

Graduation is more than completing a program. It represents growth, confidence, meaningful employment, and a stronger foundation for what comes next.

We are proud of each member of Cohort 19 and grateful to the staff, employers, referral partners, families, and supporters who helped make this milestone possible.

Congratulations, Cohort 19. This is only the beginning.

07/14/2026

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible employer partner, Vantage Point ITAD Inc. , for donating 15 Chromebooks to support SidexSide's Work Readiness Program! 💙💻

A special shout-out to Mr. Jon Stansberry, President of Vantage Point, for making this generous donation possible. Your continued support and belief in our mission help remove barriers and create opportunities for the participants we serve every day.

We are truly grateful for partners like Vantage Point who choose to invest in people, potential, and our community.
Thank you for helping us change lives—one opportunity at a time.

06/16/2026

Derek’s SidexSide journey is a reminder of the power of community, encouragement, and people who believe in you.

We are so proud of Derek and grateful to be part of his story!

06/11/2026

06/02/2026

One Year Later: Derek’s Story

A year after graduating from SidexSide and stepping into a new opportunity with Our Blood Institute, Derek – referred by Firm Foundation – is still showing up early, putting in the work, and building a different future one day at a time.
Over the past year, Derek has accomplished several significant milestones: he has graduated from his sober living program, celebrated 17 months of sobriety, gained the trust of his leadership team, and is currently being considered for a coordinator/supervisor position at work. Throughout this journey, he has remained engaged with the SidexSide family, offering encouragement to others and reinforcing the importance of long-term support, even taking on a role in our Alumni Council.

This year has not been easy. In November, Derek lost his mother. In the middle of grief and uncertainty, he decided to keep moving forward.

“One thing I just keep doing is putting one foot in front of the other and choosing not to ‘pick back up’ today.”

That mindset has carried him through some incredibly difficult moments and into real stability. He recently shared that SidexSide gave him more than job training. It gave him people who felt like family, people who encouraged him and believed in him when he wasn’t sure he believed in himself.

At SidexSide, we often talk about employment as a bridge to stability, but Derek’s story is a reminder that retention, consistency, community, and hope matter just as much as placement.

We are incredibly proud of Derek and grateful to employer partners like Our Blood Institute who continue to create opportunities for people to rebuild their lives and grow long after graduation.