The Oklahoma County Juvenile
Bureau recently received the Oklahoma Bar Foundation
(OBF) Court Grant Award for Physical
Court Improvements.? The funds from the
grant were used to build a new waiting
area for persons attending juvenile court
hearings.? On Tuesday, May 11, a ceremony
took place at the Oklahoma County Juvenile Bureau
to officially open the new waiting area.? A plaque
presented by the OBF commemorated the event.
Before the improvements, there was one glassed
in area for victims, alleged perpetrators,
families, foster parents and attorneys
to await court, which was an extremely
dangerous environment.? The waiting area
was also crowded and noisy, which meant
privacy and confidentiality was non-existent
for the victims. The cases waiting to
be heard are often volatile, and those
awaiting court are often emotional.
The new enclosure will allow victims and witnesses
to be separated from alleged perpetrators and
their families while waiting for court to begin.
“Receipt of this grant will be extremely beneficial
in the attempt to serve the at-risk youth in
Oklahoma County,” said Kimberly Grafa, Oklahoma
County Juvenile Bureau Community Liaison.
Originally established in 1946, the Oklahoma
Bar Foundation (OBF) is the third oldest state
bar foundation in the United States. OBF membership
is comprised of those persons duly licensed
to practice law in the State of Oklahoma.?
The charitable purposes of the OBF are accomplished
through annual grants that advance the science
of jurisprudence and promote the administration
of justice throughout Oklahoma. The stated
mission of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation is "Lawyers
Transforming Lives through the advancement
of education, citizenship and justice for all."
“It is a privilege and a blessing for
the lawyers of Oklahoma to be able to give
back to the community, through the Oklahoma
Bar Foundation,” said OBF President Phil
Frazier. “OBF
congratulates the Oklahoma County Juvenile
Bureau on fulfilling such a critical
and essential service.”
Participants at the commemorative ceremony
included Lawrence Hicks,
Oklahoma County Juvenile Bureau Director;
Kimberly Grafa,
Community Liaison; Judge
Richard Kirby, Administrative
Judge, Juvenile Division; OBF Grants & Awards
Chair, Hon. Valerie Couch;
OBF President Phil Frazier and
OBF Director Nancy Norsworthy.
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