We Are For Good Podcast - Episode 609 Summary: "People, Place, Practice, Policy: RestoreOKC's Community-Led Model" Featuring Caylee Dodson
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 609 of the We Are For Good Podcast, hosts Jon McCoy, CFRE, and Becky Endicott, CFRE, welcome Kaylee Dodson, Executive Director of RestoreOKC, to discuss the nonprofit's innovative, community-led approach to addressing systemic issues in Oklahoma City. The conversation delves into Kaylee's personal journey, the foundation and growth of RestoreOKC, and the essential role of partnerships and community engagement in driving meaningful change.
Guest Background: Kaylee Dodson's Formative Journey
Kaylee Dodson opens up about her upbringing in a tight-knit, working-class family in Oklahoma City. Her mother was a dedicated public school teacher, and her father worked as a lineman for AT&T, instilling in her a deep appreciation for community and education. "There was so much of that sense of fabric of 'we'... that I think laid a foundation for intense safety," Kaylee reflects (04:16). These early experiences shaped her understanding of what constitutes a flourishing community, emphasizing safe parks, trusting neighbors, and robust community schools.
Founding RestoreOKC: From St. Louis to Oklahoma City
Kaylee shares her transformative experience moving to St. Louis for graduate school, where unforeseen circumstances led her to join Restore St. Louis, a community development ministry. Witnessing the impact of systemic injustices, particularly following the tragic shooting of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Kaylee and her husband Josh felt compelled to address similar issues in their hometown, Oklahoma City.
“We sent them back with homework... There is an 18-year life expectancy difference,” Kaylee explains (08:37), referring to a study highlighting stark disparities in life expectancy within Oklahoma City. This realization catalyzed their return and the establishment of RestoreOKC, focusing on community-led solutions rather than top-down approaches.
The People, Place, Practice, Policy Model
A central theme of the episode is RestoreOKC's unique framework: People, Place, Practice, Policy. Kaylee emphasizes that "people in a place create a practice," underscoring the importance of grassroots initiatives tailored to each community's specific needs (15:03).
- People: Centering the community by involving local leaders and residents in identifying and addressing issues.
- Place: Focusing efforts within specific neighborhoods to ensure solutions are contextually relevant.
- Practice: Developing adaptable practices based on community input and lived experiences rather than rigid, data-driven models.
- Policy: Shaping policies that emerge organically from the community's practices, ensuring they are just and robust.
RestoreOKC’s Programs and Impact
Kaylee details RestoreOKC’s multifaceted programs aimed at holistic community development:
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Health, Education, Residences, Employment (HERE): These four pillars form the foundation of RestoreOKC’s initiatives, ensuring comprehensive support for community members.
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Education Initiatives: Addressing failing schools by focusing on teacher retention. “In seven years time, teacher retention shifted from 4% to 80%,” Kaylee proudly shares (20:17). This success was achieved by forming care teams and providing continuous support and professional development for teachers, leading to significant improvements in student performance and school stability.
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Employment Programs: Establishing social enterprises that employ and empower local residents, ensuring that leadership roles are filled by individuals with lived experience.
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Community Engagement: Utilizing spaces like the Ralph Ellison Library to build relational trust and facilitate open dialogue. Kaylee recounts how “we have data points, some general ideas about where we're headed... but people in a place know best how to make sense of that data” (15:03), highlighting the blend of quantitative and qualitative insights.
Importance of Listening and Community-Led Change
Kaylee passionately argues against solely data-driven approaches, advocating for practices rooted in community insights. “For us, all of those things matter that you've just listed, but it's foundationally the wrong starting point, at least for community-led change,” she asserts (16:52). By prioritizing listening and building relationships, RestoreOKC ensures that their initiatives are genuinely reflective of the community’s needs and aspirations.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Collaboration is the backbone of RestoreOKC’s success. Kaylee describes how forming strategic partnerships with local churches, universities, and private developers has been crucial in addressing multifaceted issues like food deserts and educational disparities.
“It's like the bread and butter of them. And I will tell you that, you know, occasionally you write a grant and... list your partners here. And I'm like, how many pages am I allowed to attach?" Kaylee shares (28:15), emphasizing the extensive collaborative network necessary to implement their model effectively. These partnerships enable RestoreOKC to leverage diverse resources and expertise, fostering sustainable and inclusive community development.
Advice for Nonprofit Leaders: Self-Care and Sustainable Impact
Addressing the demanding nature of social change work, Kaylee offers invaluable advice for nonprofit leaders:
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Prioritize Self-Care: Establishing routines such as regular counseling, team check-ins, and shared practices like sharing one good thing each week to maintain mental and emotional well-being.
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Embrace Community Support: “We're in the journey and all of the different kind of accusations lobbed either internally against yourself or from the outside and just make the space to back up and remind yourself to see the beauty of everything,” Kaylee advises (34:09).
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Foster Open Communication: Creating a culture where team members feel comfortable expressing when they’re not okay ensures a supportive and resilient organizational environment.
Closing Remarks
Kaylee concludes with a heartfelt message about the innate human desire for connection and community. “Remember they're there. They're ready to welcome you. Be that presence for somebody else,” she encourages (38:37). She invites listeners to connect with RestoreOKC through various social media platforms and their website, emphasizing the ongoing call for communal support and collaboration.
Notable Quotes
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“There was so much of that sense of fabric of 'we'... that I think laid a foundation for intense safety.” — Kaylee Dodson (04:16)
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“For us, all of those things matter that you've just listed, but it's foundationally the wrong starting point, at least for community-led change.” — Kaylee Dodson (16:52)
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“In seven years time, teacher retention shifted from 4% to 80%.” — Kaylee Dodson (20:17)
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“There is an 18-year life expectancy difference.” — Kaylee Dodson (08:37)
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“Remember they're there. They're ready to welcome you. Be that presence for somebody else.” — Kaylee Dodson (38:37)
Connect with RestoreOKC
- Website: RestoreOKC
- Instagram: @restore_okc
- Facebook: Restore Oklahoma City
- LinkedIn: Kaylee Dodson
In this episode, We Are For Good highlights the profound impact of community-led initiatives through RestoreOKC's model, providing a blueprint for nonprofits aiming to foster sustainable and equitable change. Kaylee Dodson's narrative underscores the power of listening, collaboration, and compassionate leadership in transforming communities from within.