They say it takes a village. Building or improving a community takes time and effort. Executive Director of Crossover Community Impact and TU alumnus Justin Pickard is doing just that. While presenting at the alumni lecture in law and politics, Pickard discussed community development as a career aspiration, in the defense of not becoming a lawyer, politician or entering academia.
Breaking ground
Pickard explains why he didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps. “In terms of my career, I was afraid that if I went to law school, I would run up school loans. Even with the advantage of taking over a lucrative law practice, I would be beholden to representing businesses and developers that perpetuated the development that I disagreed with.”
Interesting enough, Pickard was born on his father’s first day of law school.
During his time at TU, he found more about what would suit him. “I started at TU as a literature major because I was interested in becoming a writer. But over time, my interests moved more toward political science and philosophy,” Pickard explained.
Operation community impact
“Crossover Community Impact is an organization that works to restore its community in north Tulsa,” explains Pickard.
The organization focuses on work in the Hawthorn neighborhood (36th St. N. and Peoria Ave.) in north Tulsa.
“Crossover Community Impact medical clinic addressed the lack of doctors in the area and access issues,” said Pickard
The medical clinic provides general care, women’s health and pediatric care.
“We have an afterschool program at Hawthorn elementary school that also does summer day camps that works on educational issues.” The afterschool program consists of a healthy afternoon snack, a STEM lesson and reading tutoring with Reading Partners as well as homework tutoring with our StreetLeaders, volunteers and staff
“We invest and partner with young men to get them equipped academically and with a heart to move back to north Tulsa,” he said. “We hope some become leaders in the community.”
If you are interested in volunteering with the IMPACT Kids After School Program, please apply online or contact IMPACT Kids Director, Leah Pickard at leah@crossoverimpact.org