Archive for May, 2010


Novo Ministries appreciates the support and partnership of many individuals, schools, apartments, churches, and other community entities in the greater Oklahoma City area. We are excited about the difference that our collaborative efforts can have on inner-city communities. Lee Roland has been a partner and supporter of this organization for many years. Lee is the principal of Tulakes Elementary – one of our largest program sites. The enrollment at Tulakes is more than 125 children in our weekly program. Lee not only supports Novo Ministries through his partnership as Principal of Tulakes, but he also is currently serving as the chairman of the Novo Ministries’ Board of Directors. We are grateful for his role as principal as well as board chairman. Thank you, Lee, for your vital support and dedicated leadership!

A few weeks ago Principal Roland shared some of his thoughts about the impact of our organization:

As both a principal of a local elementary school and the chairman of the Novo Ministries Board of Directors, I want to strongly encourage you to consider supporting this fine organization. Novo Ministries is a local, non-profit organization committed to making a difference in the lives of inner-city boys and girls. Our mission is accomplished through connecting caring, passionate individuals with at-risk, under-served children through weekly after-school programs. I have known and worked with Valerie Sherrer, Founder, for more than 11 years. She is [an] amazing young lady who has demonstrated a willingness to do whatever it takes to impact these needy children. She and her husband are both dedicated to mobilizing like-minded individuals to provide healthy, positive role models and much needed mentoring. Weekly, a Novo Ministries’ team comes to my school, Tulakes Elementary, and leads an after-school program. Frequently, more than 100 children are in attendance. Many of the children who come to this program have challenges in their life and home including everything from sibling gang involvement, substance abuse, academic struggles, criminal activity, poor housing options, teen pregnancy, to incarcerated parents and more. As a principal, I am always looking for programs that will promote healthy behavior, positive character development, and good life choices. Novo Ministries gives these children the opportunity to interact with adults who love them and will mentor them to success in life …

Impacting the hearts and lives of inner-city children, promoting real life-change, and encouraging positive character development are key elements in the focus of our organization and its programming. We are grateful for the support of Lee Roland and others from our community which make it possible for us to accomplish our mission!

Jay Sherrer

// Testimony from a Parent

by on May 4, 2010

One of the goals of the ministry is to give the children of our inner city opportunities to become leaders and positive role models within society and learn to interact with other children their age. We strive to support the local church and provide children with an environment that can connect them with a local church that could further their training and discipleship. Often, we have parents comment to our staff and volunteers how this ministry is affecting their children, and even their own lives. Here is one such testimony from Scott Fleck and Kimberly Williams.

It really has been a good experience to have my children involved in Bible Club. It is nice that our children can go and [socialize] with others in a church like setting. Since we just moved from Texas and do not know much about OKC, it is nice to have such helpful and nice teachers to help our children learn about God and adjust to getting to know more children.