Durant’s J127 houses fostered youth and prepares them for adulthood

DURANT, Okla. (KXII) - Over 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year. The J127 nonprofit in Durant, OK has intervened in that cycle for four years.

Adrean Stennett , founder and executive director of J127, had an urgent need to care for youth aging out of foster care in Durant.

The all girl home has both a full and fast track program. Girls can participate in the four to six month fast track program that focuses on 3 main goals such as getting a license, building a savings account, or getting their children back after graduating from J127. Melissa Hammel, operations director, says the faith-based ministry spawned from a specific Christian scripture.

"J127 stands for the scripture, James 1:27, which talks about that religion that is pure and flawless is to look after and care for the orphan," said Hammel.

The full J127 program spans one to two years with four phases. Learning life skills, reaching educational goals, and maintaining a relationship with their mentors. Hammel explains the fourth phase is designed to help the girls build their savings.

"The other big part is learning job skills," said Hammel. "They can live here for free for three months and then we have a requirement of them working a minimum of 10 to 25 hours, depending on if they're in school or not, then they begin to pay a practice rent. That basically goes into a savings account for them so when they graduate and finish the program, they get to take that money with them."

J127 was built by Durant community members themselves and began in May of 2020. Since then, over 70 girls have graduated from the home and moved on to their own homes. Hamel says the hardest part when new girls come in is gaining their trust.

"Most people in these girls' lives have broken trust with them," said Hammel. "So it takes time for them to realize that this is truly a safe place, that we're here for them."

The J127 house is supposed to feel like home. Unlike a traditional foster care shelter, 10 rooms house a girl aged 18 to 25. Each is decorated differently and they share a "jack and jill" bathroom with a housemate.

J127 accepts sponsors, donations, and accepts volunteers with open arms. Although the mentorship program is for women only, the volunteer opportunities are for men and women of all ages.

"We have people that come in and teach life skills, including men," said Hammel. "And we have a meal train because we'll eat dinner together on Thursday nights, and we have maintenance and cleaning."

Basic groceries are paid for, volunteers provide the girls transportation to work or school, and sponsors for each room cover the cost of living per person throughout the year.

"We're just super thankful for the community support so that we're able to do this and give these girls a hope and a future," said Hammel.