HOPE. HEALTH. HOUSING.
Our Pillars
Our pillars guide Nehemiah CDC’s work across the full journey of restoration, aligning housing, health, life skills, community, and faith-rooted support around long-term stability.
Our Programs
Our programs create a holistic pathway from instability to independent living by connecting safe housing, workforce readiness, life skills, and community support.
Our People
We bring lived experience, professional expertise, faith-rooted service, and community commitment together to help individuals and families move toward lasting independence.
Our Faith is
Unapologetic.
We wear our faith on our sleeve. Our foundation is built on our belief in power of the resurrected Christ and it is Him that gives us our heart to serve people, no matter their past or circumstances. We believe in a Triune God and the authority of the Scriptures. When you meet with us you are going to hear about Jesus.
With that being said, there is no religious test for people entering our program. We welcome all who want to change their lives, regardless of whether they share our beliefs. Our faith drives us and we hope it transforms everyone who enters our building. If you want more details about our beliefs or practices, reach out. We would love to talk more!
OUR PROGRAM MODEL
The Nehemiah Pathway:
6 Pillars to Stability
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. When we begin working with a new client, we develop a strategic plan focused on establishing six core elements we believe are essential for achieving long-term stability and independent living.
1. Recovery Support
Support the mental health, addiction recovery, and accountability needs behind instability.
2. Spiritual Development
Offer faith-rooted community without making participation dependent on shared belief.
3. Stable Employment
Prepare participants for interviews, workplace expectations, and long-term job stability.
4. Financial Growth
Build basic financial habits, responsibility, and access to ordinary tools of stability.
5. Reliable Transportation
Address the practical mobility barrier that often blocks recovery, work, and independence.
6. Housing Stability
Provide safe places to live and a realistic plan for the next level of independence.
Our Foundation
Nehemiah Community Development Corporation was founded with a clear conviction: lasting community transformation begins when people are equipped, supported, and given access to the resources they need to rebuild, grow, and thrive.
Inspired by the biblical story of Nehemiah, who helped restore what had been broken and mobilized people around a shared vision, Nehemiah CDC exists to help strengthen families, neighborhoods, and communities through practical programs, trusted leadership, and long-term commitment. The organization was created to meet real needs in the community while also addressing the deeper barriers that prevent individuals and families from moving forward.
From its beginning, Nehemiah CDC has focused on more than short-term assistance. Its work is rooted in empowerment, dignity, and development. Through its six-pillar framework, the organization supports individuals across key areas of life, helping connect people to opportunities, services, education, mentorship, and community-based solutions that promote stability and growth.
Nehemiah CDC continues to expand its impact through programs, partnerships, events, and outreach initiatives designed to serve the whole person and strengthen the broader community. As the organization grows, its mission remains consistent: to be a trusted resource, a catalyst for progress, and a builder of hope for the people and neighborhoods it serves.
This foundation is what continues to guide Nehemiah CDC today: rebuilding lives, restoring opportunity, and helping communities move forward together.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. ”
Our Team
Arlando Parker
Founder & CEO
Arlando Parker is the founder and CEO of Nehemiah His experience includes over 30 years in the construction and real estate development industry, primarily responsible for strategic planning, fund raising, housing and program development, and executive management. Prior to joining NCDC he was the construction manager for Mertz Manufacturing (Ponca City, OK) and construction supervisor for Gorman Construction (Bartlesville, OK). At Nehemiah, he has overseen all phases of the construction and development of the Cottages on 6th Street Project and also led the strategic growth of the agency, more than quadrupling the number of people served since 2010. He holds an Architecture degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Mike Sorenson, LPC
Program Director
Mike first encountered the amazing community at Nehemiah when he started teaching relationship classes to the participants while on staff at Grace Community Church in 2017. He came on full-time in January of 2025 to direct the expansion to Room at the Inn. His previous experience in both private practice counseling and church community building were perfectly suited to lead Nehemiah’s programs into our new phase of growth. He provides strategic direction to our organization, supervision to our staff, and therapeutic and pastoral guidance to our participants.
Shelley Anderson
Compliance & Credentialing Coordinator
Shelley is a Bartlesville native who helped open the Nehemiah women’s house in 2022. She is a graduate of our program with a tremendous testimony of overcoming addiction, abuse and homelessness. She has spearheaded all of our credentialing and certification efforts to help us grow into our expanding programs and services. She also serves our participants by managing the men’s and women’s houses.
Shelbie Spencer
Assistant Property Manager
Shelbie’s need for a sober living house for her and her daughter was the inspiration for opening the Nehemiah women’s house in 2022. She has since graduated the program and now works full-time for Nehemiah CDC. Shelbie oversees property management services for all of Nehemiah’s properties, including the Cottages at 6th Street, Nehemiah men’s and women’s houses and other rental properties. She also manages HR, payroll and Accounts Payable for the organization.
PRSS Staff
Jennifer King
Office PRSS
Melissa Holmes
Women’s House Lead, Office PRSS
Stanley Arnold
Men’s House Lead, Maintenance Lead
Maintenance Staff
Perla Pardo
Head Maintenance
Our Board of Directors
Dennis
Halpin
Chairman / Treasurer
Arlando
Parker
CEO & Executive Director
Caroline
Casselberry
Vice Chair
Debbie
Hathaway
Secretary
John
Holden
Board Member
Dr. David
Rumph
Board Member
Alicia
Glenn
Board Member
Latia
Parker
Board Member
Our Partners
Support our Work
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Qui omnis dolorem aut deleniti veritatis sed alias dignissimos et consequuntur veniam eum ipsam minima. Sit magnam sapiente sed molestias ducimus et internos architecto. Ut molestiae doloribus ut doloremque odit ea quod natus eum internos aliquid eum autem impedit.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Qui omnis dolorem aut deleniti veritatis sed alias dignissimos et consequuntur veniam eum ipsam minima. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Qui omnis dolorem aut deleniti veritatis sed alias dignissimos et consequuntur veniam eum ipsam minima.
