Hand Up Ministries, Inc Board Members

David Nichols

Founder & President

At 76 years old and my life stands as a testimony to God's faithfulness and His power to redeem and restore. I have completed 114 hours of Bible college and have spent my life serving both in the workforce and in ministry. For more than 29 years, I worked with Dayton Bridgestone/Firestone, primarily in management, while also serving part time in ministry until 2003.

Prior to founding Hand Up Ministries, Inc. in 1996, I served as a Gideon for more than three years, sharing the Word of God and witnessing first hand how Scripture can change lives. My calling to serve led to the birth of Hand Up Ministries, Inc. and has now provided housing, hope, and restoration to more than 400 individuals at one time.

Today, we operate four locations and are prayerfully planning for a fifth. Everything we do is rooted in faith and obedience to God's call-to offer not a handout, but a hand up, helping men rebuild their lives with dignity, purpose, and hope in Christ.

Songs of Redemption – Donor & Ministry Message

We invite you to listen to the music created through the Hand Up Ministries Donation Music Campaign program, where residents share their stories of transformation through song. The lyrics and music are written and contributed entirely by the men of Hand Up Ministries, giving voice to their personal journeys of redemption, restoration, and renewed purpose. These powerful testimonies are known as Songs of Redemption.

Each song is a heartfelt tribute to the mission of Hand Up Ministries, Inc., honoring our Founder, David Nichols, and offered as an act of worship and gratitude to God. Through music, the men reflect on where they have been, where God has brought them, and the hope that now lies ahead.

As Scripture reminds us, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him” (Psalm 40:3). These songs are living testimonies of that promise in action.

We invite our donors, partners, and supporters to visit our website page, Songs of Redemption, and experience these moving expressions of faith. Your support makes this ministry possible—helping transform broken pasts into lives filled with purpose, praise, and hope through Jesus Christ.

This music was written and performed by the residents of Hand Up Ministries as a testimony of God’s redeeming power. Each song represents a personal journey—from brokenness to restoration, from bondage to freedom, and from despair to hope.

Dedicated to the glory of God, in honor of Hand Up Ministries, Inc., and our Founder, David Nichols. May every song remind us that lives can be restored and hearts made new.

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” – Psalm 40:

00:00 / 04:12

It All Begain in 1996

Lyrics/Music by Mike Lower

00:00 / 03:22

The Power of God's Love

Lyrics/Music by Mike Lower

00:00 / 03:37

Thank You For Giving

Lyrics/Music by Mike Lower

00:00 / 03:35

Hand Up Gave Me Shelter

Lyrics/Music by Mike Lower

MEET THE BOARD MEMBERS

Songs of Redemption

You Have A Place In My Heart, David

Lyrics/Music by Mike Lower

00:00 / 03:06

Dondino Melchiorre

Vice President

As Vice President of Hand Up Ministries, Inc., Dondino Melchiorre has dedicated more than 12 years of service to advancing the mission of the organization. He works closely with the President and Board of Directors to define the ministry's vision and ensure that policies and procedures are carefully developed, planned, and implemented.

Through his leadership, Hand Up Ministries continues to meet its mission objectives and provide meaningful support to one of Oklahoma City's most underserved populations. Dondino, with his Christian faith and humanitarian support, is deeply committed to the organization's guiding principle of offering "a hand up, not a hand out," and takes pride in helping create opportunities that foster stability, dignity, and hope.

"Help us end the revolving door of incarceration and homelessness-one home, one job, one second chance at a time."

Ray Riddle

Secratary Treasurer Hand Up Ministries, Inc.

Responsibilities: I oversee and give direction to three (4) locations for Hand Up Ministries, one (1) in Chandler, (1) in Holdenville, and two (2) in Oklahoma City.

I have Park Managers in all four facilities and I primarily work with those managers. I meet with each manager at least once per week to talk specifically about their facilities and am available by cell, email or text at any other time they may have an issue to discuss.

I provide training for them along the way as to how they may streamline or improve their management skills.

I also report to David Nichols, CEO of Hand Up Ministries on my activities throughout the week. I coordinate the OKARR (Oklahoma Alliance of Recovery Houses) standards of living at the 59th Street facility. I travel about twice per month to one of the prisons in Oklahoma in participation with DOC to present Hand Up Ministries in Resource Fairs. These Resource Fairs are where we have the opportunity to meet with inmates expected to get released within the next year and acquaint them with Hand Up Ministries and what we have to offer them.

Miriam Martin Nichols

Board Member

Miriam "Mim" Nichols devoted much of her professional life to serving others as a Registered Nurse in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Alongside her career in healthcare, she has faithfully supported her husband, David Nichols, Founder and President of Hand Up Ministries, Inc., and his vision to provide housing and restoration for homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals.

For more than 25 years, Mim has served on the Board of Directors of Hand Up Ministries, helping to guide and strengthen the ministry as it works to transform lives through faith, stability, and opportunity. Since retiring from nursing in 2019, she has continued to devote her energy to advancing the organization's mission. Her compassion and Christian faith remain at the heart of her service, as she works to break the cycle of incarceration and homelessness by offering not just a handout, but a true hand up. Mim is committed to restoring dignity, providing safe housing, and creating pathways to work and self-sufficiency.