Baker McKenzie, in partnership with Oklahoma Appleseed and with the support of volunteers from Helmerich & Payne and Williams, has released the 14th state-specific handbook in the US
Global law firm Baker McKenzie, in partnership with Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice and with the support of volunteers from Helmerich & Payne and Williams, today proudly announces the publication of the Oklahoma Homeless Youth Handbook.
The Oklahoma Homeless Youth Handbook is an online resource designed to empower young people who experience homelessness to understand their legal rights and take action to build safe, stable futures with Oklahoma-specific information. Written in plain language and in a youth-friendly, question-and-answer format, the resource will be shared with schools, libraries, public agencies, social advocates and others throughout the state.
Homelessness traps youth in a cycle of social and economic challenges, often leading to justice system involvement and limiting their potential. In Oklahoma, recent data shows that over 26,600 public school students lack stable housing, including those living in motels, shelters or doubled up with friends. On a single night in 2024, about 450 young people under 24 were counted as homeless — a 40% increase since 2019. The same year, 6,409 preschool students experienced homelessness.
“This handbook is a critical step toward ensuring that Oklahoma’s most vulnerable youth have access to clear, practical guidance,” said Colleen McCarty, Executive Director of Oklahoma Appleseed. “By putting legal information into plain language, we’re helping young people understand their rights and find pathways to safety and stability.”
Nearly 100 volunteers from Baker McKenzie, Helmerich & Payne and Williams Company donated almost 1,000 hours of pro bono effort to research, write and edit the handbook, which covers topics including education, domestic and dating violence, healthcare and more.
“Our team is proud to contribute to a resource that will make a real difference for youth in crisis,” said Cara Hair, Senior Vice President of Corporate Services, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Helmerich & Payne. “Supporting this project reflects our commitment to strengthening communities and providing hope for young people facing unimaginable challenges.”
“This initiative shows the power of collaboration. When in-house counsel, nonprofits and law firms work together, we can dramatically expand support for our most vulnerable youth,” added Karissa Cottom, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Williams. “We’re honored to help bring this resource to life and stand alongside partners who share our dedication to empowering Oklahoma’s youth.”
The Oklahoma edition of the Homeless Youth Handbook marks the 14th version of the resource, which is now available in 13 states and Washington, DC. Baker McKenzie has published each handbook in collaboration with different partner organizations. Learn more here.
“We’re grateful to Oklahoma Appleseed, Helmerich & Payne, and Williams for the time and expertise they devoted to Oklahoma’s Homeless Youth Handbook,” said Jaclyn Pampel, Partner and Director of North America Pro Bono at Baker McKenzie. “Creating these handbooks is a significant undertaking, and these partnerships are essential to expanding access to clear, vital guidance for vulnerable youth nationwide.”