A child born into homelessness in Norman today should not be defined by that circumstance tomorrow. The Norman Promise is a cradle-to-career commitment — wrapping every child in the support they need to graduate, thrive, and succeed.
Five Stages · Birth Through College
Birth–Age 5: Head Start, home visiting, developmental support
Foundation YearsK–6th: Stability supports, counselors, reading programs
Building BlocksThe highest-risk years: mentorship, identity, belonging
Critical StageGraduation pathways, internships, career preparation
Launch PadPost-secondary access for every homeless youth who graduates
The Promise KeptWhy Children Must Be Part of This
Ending homelessness today without addressing the children caught in its wake guarantees we will face this crisis again in a generation. The Norman Promise breaks that cycle permanently.
"Your GOODNESS is Powerful.
Our GOODNESS achieves the IMPOSSIBLE."
The Five-Stage Continuum
Each stage addresses the specific vulnerabilities children face at that developmental moment — with services delivered where children already are: in homes, schools, and communities.
Head Start expansion, nurse-family home visiting programs, developmental screenings, and parent support for families experiencing housing instability.
Housing stability supports, dedicated school counselors, McKinney-Vento Act compliance, reading and tutoring programs, and trauma-informed classroom practices.
The highest-risk years for dropout. Intensive mentorship, identity and belonging programs, peer support networks, and family crisis intervention.
Graduation pathway planning, dual enrollment at OU/NOC, career internships with Norman businesses, college prep, and financial literacy for housing independence.
The Norman Promise Scholarship Fund — guaranteed post-secondary access for every homeless youth who graduates from Norman Public Schools.
The Norman Promise Scholarship Fund
For every Norman student who has experienced homelessness and earns a high school diploma, the Norman Promise Scholarship Fund guarantees a path to post-secondary education — college, trade school, or certification programs.
Any student who experienced homelessness at any point during their K–12 education in Norman
Graduates of Norman Public Schools with a diploma or equivalent
Students enrolling in accredited 2-year, 4-year, trade, or certification programs
Students maintaining satisfactory academic progress and community engagement
Tuition gap funding after federal Pell Grant and state aid
Housing assistance during the transition to post-secondary life
Books, supplies, and technology for coursework
Wraparound mentorship and case management through graduation
Emergency funds for unexpected housing or financial crises
City of Norman — dedicated allocation from the $8M ballot investment
University of Oklahoma — matching scholarships and work-study
Norman community donor fund — individual and business contributions
Foundation grants — Gates, Ford, and RWJF education initiatives
State matching funds through Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program
You are known by name — not a case number
Your housing situation will not define your future
Norman's community stands behind you from day one
If you graduate, we will help you take the next step
You belong here — and Norman will prove it
Community Partners
The Norman Promise coordinates and supercharges what already exists — filling gaps and connecting children to a web of community support.
McKinney-Vento liaisons, stability support, and school-based services for students experiencing homelessness.
Research partnerships, volunteer pipeline, dual enrollment programs, and scholarship matching funds.
Federally funded early childhood programs expanded to serve all eligible families experiencing housing instability.
Pediatric health integration, developmental screenings, and mental health services for children and families.
Congregation-adopted homes model, mentorship programs, and community belonging for families in transition.
Case management, benefits enrollment, and family stabilization services coordinated with housing placement.
Food bank, community resource hub, and family support services on Norman's Reed Street corridor.
Core emergency services anchor providing shelter, meals, and case coordination for Norman families.
Mental health services, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care for children and families.
Global Framework
The Norman Promise is grounded in a globally-proven framework. By adopting UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, Norman joins a worldwide movement committed to inclusive, safe, resilient communities.
To create sustainable cities and communities, UN SDG 11 focuses on making urban areas inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable — values at the heart of everything the Norman Promise stands for.
🌐 globalgoals.org/goals/11-sustainable-cities-and-communities/Key Targets
Ensure access to safe and affordable housing for all.
Provide access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems.
Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory planning.
Protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage.
Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
Provide universal access to safe and green public spaces.
Accountability Metrics
April 7, 2026
"Your GOODNESS is Powerful.
Our GOODNESS achieves the IMPOSSIBLE."