OUR MISSION
The purpose of Other Options, Inc. is to provide food, resources, services, and education to at-risk individuals and families with a focus on those affected by HIV and AIDS.
The primary program at Other Options is the Friends Food Pantry which provides nutrient-dense food, nutrition formula, and toiletries to over 1,200 adults and children able to shop monthly. A delivery program for homebound and bedfast individuals/families that provides food baskets and easy to prepare meals is also in place at Other Options.
The Founding Board Members of Other Options working in the health care community in the early 1980s saw the need to educate and inform those who were affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), as well as health professionals and government agencies. That need became the foundation for Other Options. Our charter and non-profit status were completed in 1989 in time to produce the AIDS for HIV/AIDS handbook requested by The Governor’s Task Force on AIDS. We have been active in the HIV and AIDS community since that time.
Collaborating with other HIV/AIDS Services and Community Based Organizations state-wide, Other Options is committed to providing quality care to the men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS as well as Prevention Education to the affected community.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I am honored and humbled to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Other Options. It is a privilege to join this organization at such a pivotal time; one where the need for compassion, advocacy, and equity in the fight against HIV remains as vital as ever.
For 36 years, Other Options has stood as a beacon of hope and a champion for those affected by HIV; offering critical support, education, and food to individuals and families across Oklahoma. I step into this role with deep respect for the work that has come before me, and with a firm commitment to carrying it forward with integrity and purpose.
My journey in HIV advocacy began nearly 25 years ago as a volunteer with Cookie at Other Options; a transformative experience that launched my lifelong commitment to this work. That early involvement sparked a career dedicated to 2SLGBTQ+ youth advocacy, where I spent over two decades developing and leading programs focused on social support, housing for unhoused youth, mental health services, and inpatient residential care. Throughout every stage of that work, HIV education and advocacy remained a constant thread. I have always believed in the power of building bridges between communities, organizations, and systems, to ensure that no one living with or at risk of HIV is ever left behind.
In the months ahead, I look forward to sharing with you all the wonderful things that are happening with Friends Food Pantry and highlighting all the wonderful volunteers and staff that make the magic happen. Together, we will continue to advocate for health equity, expand access to care, fight stigma, and uplift the voices of those most impacted by HIV.
Thank you for welcoming me into this incredible organization. Your continued support inspires and empowers us to move forward… together!
Kris Willams
Executive Director
