T.D. Williamson + Launch Pad = a winning combination!

This week, Major Taylor, volunteer coordinator Jenny, and case workers Kelly and Tara and myself were honored to attend a lovely volunteer thank you luncheon for the employees of T.D. Williamson. The luncheon was held at The Silo in west Tulsa.


Major Taylor and Jenny shared the impact that T.D. Williamson had on different volunteer areas this past holiday season. TDW employees adopted over 140 Angel Tree angels, volunteered at distribution in Sapulpa and Tulsa, AND were trailblazers for our newest sponsorship opportunity, Launchpad.


Major Taylor presented a certificate of recognition to Annie Tomecheck, Supervisor, Global Community Investment, for the Launch Pad program.

In particular, we want to thank TDW for being the lead sponsor for the Launch Pad program and for being such generous patrons for a family in need.

Launch Pad is a NEW volunteer/sponsorship opportunity designed to bless a homeless family with minor children who live at the Center of Hope and are participating in the Supportive Housing Program (SHP). SHP consists of 16 1-3 bedroom apartments that clients can live in for up to 24 months, with sliding scale rent, while they pursue education, employment and stability for their family. Launch Pad sponsors redecorate and replace basic household goods- including furniture and beds. When clients complete their program and move out to permanent housing, they can take the furniture and goods, ready to set up house in their new place.


TDW's volunteer crew did a fabulous job, from maximizing space to personalizing and thinking of creature comforts. We are really impressed with the end product. Check out these pics of the TDW apartment's "After"-- amazing!

If you or your organization would like more information on sponsoring a Launch Pad apartment, please call Jenny McElyea, our volunteer coordinator, at 918-587-7801. It's an amazing opportuniy to positiviely impact a homeless family on a very basic level.
-Vicki

Free Wifi For the Homeless!

I’m excited to write this blog because it has been a long time coming.  
It all started last fall, when the Tulsa Area United Way got a large donation of used laptops from local business, Hilti and set up an application process for agencies like ours to get them.  We were lucky enough to get 40 to use at our Center of Hope.  This left us with a bit of a problem though, the laptops needed wi-fi for our clients to check them out and use them but the only wi-fi we had at the facility was in our administrative area and wasn’t set up as a public network.

This spurred us into action and we asked for a grant to cover the cost to do all the “techy” things needed to turn a 70,000 sq/ft. building into  a hot spot for guests.  Thankfully, The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary provided the funds needed.  As we were ironing out the security features, our guests could see the public network appearing on their devices and they started getting excited! Questions flowed to our staff about what the guest network was and when it would be available.

During the first week we had the wi-fi available (with no promotion/signage at all) we had an average of about 100 guests a night utilizing the network.  This may be very surprising to some, but many of the guests staying at the shelter keep mobile phones for necessary contact with work and family but they cannot afford the data packages required to surf the internet via a mobile device. Our main overnight population is required to stay in the facility after check-in which means that from 6p.m. to 6a.m. they haven’t had access to email, web, news, etc.  Now they can spend that time looking for housing, completing schoolwork, playing games to pass the time and communicating with family and friends. 

We are currently soliciting funding to expand the technology program at the Center by building an on-site computer lab. This lab would be accessible to all clients with designated hours for after-school homework time. Besides general internet access and other basic functions, clients will also have the opportunity to enroll in useful courses, taught by community volunteers and Center of Hope staff.

I hope you can share in my excitement! We are so proud to be the first shelter in Tulsa offering this service.  It improves the quality of life for many and gives them something that we all take for granted! 

-Lindsay 

Day of Caring Sheds Light On Increased Homeless Family Population

Volunteers from Jim Norton
Toyota paint family rooms.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the Center of Hope during my Day of Caring site visit was a little baby about the same age as my infant son. He was smiling and giggling while being held by his mother, who had come to the shelter for help. The image stuck with me throughout the weekend. Although I know that the family is now getting the help it needs, I just couldn't forget.

The Center of Hope is seeing more families like this one. According to caseworker Gale Baker, the number of families seeking help at the Center of Hope has tripled in the past seven years. On average, the Center of Hope will house about 20 families a night during the summer. Three years ago, only four to seven families would stay the night at the shelter. The Center of Hope has 11 rooms for these families, which means a room may have more than one family during those crowded nights.

“The face of the homeless isn’t what it was 20 years ago,” says Baker. “These aren’t all drug addicts or alcoholics. Some of these people lost a job or had unexpected medical problems that caused them financial trouble.”   

A pile of toys in the shelter's family
lounge where little ones can play.

Add in the cost of at least one child and it can lead to homelessness.

On Friday September 6, a group of United Way volunteers from Jim Norton Toyota were painting the walls of the family rooms at the Center of Hope as part of the Day of Caring.

“When children come to the shelter, by no fault of their own, we want a place that’s cheerful and not dull,” says Baker. “These volunteers are helping make that happen.”

Caseworkers at the Center of Hope are working hard to help families get back on their feet so they don’t have to stay at the shelter anymore. I’m thankful we provide a place for these families to go, but I’m hoping the numbers will start to decrease.

-Carrie

United Way Day of Caring brings help where it's needed most

Each year, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs and Center of Hope are used by thousands of people. During that course our facilities can become in need of some special TLC. But when you have lots of projects to do, and only a few people available on a regular basis to help, what do you do?

Solution: United Way Day of Caring!

The United Way Day of Caring is a once a year event always in September (and the kick-off will be held at our very own West Mabee Boys & Girls Club on September 6) where,

 “United Way matches volunteers in workplaces to projects at agencies across the community, giving volunteers an opportunity to contribute in a hands on way to make a difference. Employers give their employees the day to work in the community as an expression of their commitment to their employees and to the organizations that support people all across Tulsa. Projects may include interior or exterior painting, yard work, preparing community gardens, building ramps, installing shelving or providing computer training.”

Each year partner agencies like The Salvation Army count on the United Way Day of Caring to help complete tasks that we wouldn’t be able to accomplish on our own. This year the United Way will be helping us with over 30 projects and will provide over 200 volunteers and estimated 1,000 hours of man power. And with the average value of a volunteer hour being $18.28 that provides a value of $18,280 worth of time alone. Not to mention that many companies donate the needed supplies to assist with the projects.

This is why we depend on volunteers and the United Way so much, they truly make the difference! We couldn’t continue doing the most good without them!

To learn more about volunteering with The Salvation Army contact Jenny McElyea, Volunteer and Disaster Resource Manager at 918-587-7801 or to learn more about participating in the United Way Day of Caring contact Maxine Street 918-583-7171.  

-Jenny

TV Dreams Turn Into Reality Through The Most Amazing Race

Tulsa to host the Salvation Army's Most Amazing Race, June 2014

 I’ll admit I watch a lot of television. While on maternity leave, I got addicted to the Food Network. I tried to create the same recipes I saw on my favorite shows, but my entree didn’t quite look the same as Bobby Flay’s dish. I also can’t sew, sing, dance (at least not very well) and I have no aspirations to put my children in any pageants. I wouldn’t make it out in the wild very long. The chances for me to be on a reality show are slim to none. 

But the one show that I would want to participate in is CBS’s “The Amazing Race.” I love this show because contestants get to do some unique “tasks” while seeing some beautiful places around the world. Now, The Salvation Army is giving Tulsans an opportunity to turn their TV dreams into reality during The Most Amazing Race, a new event coming to downtown in June 2014!  

A scavenger hunt-adventure style race, The Most Amazing Race is a popular fundraising event for Salvation Army organizations throughout the United State, such as Minneapolis, Fort Lauderdale, Pittsburgh and Raleigh. Now, we’re bringing it here.    
 

Logo provided by GuRuStu Group

 

Patterned after CBS’s “The Amazing Race,” teams of 2 will be tasked with physical and mental challenges as they “race” throughout downtown – including challenges in Tulsa’s most popular areas such as the Blue Dome District, Brady District, and other downtown locations. The purpose of the event is to highlight local amenities and features while also educating the public about the Salvation Army’s programs and services—all while having tons of fun.
 
The Most Amazing Race combines physical tasks, such as obstacle courses and sports engagement, with mental tasks such as following directions, solving puzzles or overcoming common fears. Teams and volunteers won’t know what’s included in the challenges until race day. They could be tasked to learn a cheerleading or dance routine or make a recipe in the Center of Hope’s kitchen. To make sure the race isn’t easy on anyone, participants will also be faced with detours throughout the event where they’ll have to choose between two challenges.
 

Teams will pay a registration cost and then be required to raise a modest amount of funds to participate in the race. The winning team will win a grand prize, while the top fundraising teams will receive prizes and special advantages throughout the race. Corporate sponsors will have the unique opportunity to create a special challenge in the race.
 
All money raised from the Most Amazing Race will go to the Center of Hope, the largest homeless shelter in northeast Oklahoma.
 
Participants interested can stay current on details through the race- specific Facebook page, just search for “The Most Amazing Race Tulsa.”

I’m so excited to be a part of this unique fundraiser; it's a chance to make your reality T.V. dreams come true, right here in Tulsa! Stay tuned!


-Carrie

Downtown Homeless Shelter Get a New Playground!

Recently, the Center of Hope, Salvation Army of Tulsa's homeless shelter and social services center celebrated the opening of a new playground! The playground was made possible by a generous donation from the Helmrich Family Foundation. And the following pictures are from the dedication ceremony and official opening! Enjoy!

Major Taylor welcomes attendees.

COH Director Arletta Robinson thanks the Helmrich family members in attendance.

Peggy Helmrich says a few words.

Hans, Rik and Peggy Helmrich with Major Jim Taylor

The playscape!

Excited kiddos brave the slide.

Sunshade!

On the whirly thing.

What a great space for our kiddos to run off some energy; many thanks to the Helmrich's for their generosity!

--Vicki

Home Energy Aid Month Supported by PSO, Tulsa Shock

PSO, Tulsa Shock & The Salvation Army Form Team To Help Families

 Earlier this week, while it was close to 100 degrees outside, the air-conditioning unit in my car broke. It was awful!

I had to get it fixed quickly because I drive my two young kids around Tulsa everyday. It must be really difficult to sit in a home right now without an air-conditioning unit or a fan to stay cool. But this is the reality for some families who struggle financially.

            A unique partnership between Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), the Tulsa Shock and the Salvation Army will help these families. The group is working together to raise funds for PSO’s Light A Life Energy Fund, which is administered by the Salvation Army. Light A Life provides emergency funds for those who need help paying their energy bills.  PSO and the Salvation Army formed this program back in 1986.   

            In addition, Three Tulsa Shock games in July will be dedicated to raising funds for Light A Life. A few fun surprises and events are planned for Shock fans during the games on the 19^th, 21^st and 25^th. The funds raised will be used throughout the year to help those needing assistance with their energy bills. 

Major James Taylor holds the Mayor's Proclamation

This partnership is part of Home Energy Aid Month, which brings awareness and donations to these programs. Governor Mary Fallin declared July “Home Energy Aid Month” in the state of Oklahoma. Mayor Dewey Bartlett did the same for the city of Tulsa (see pic).  PSO and other businesses in the area have agreed to match donor gifts during Home Energy Aid Month. 

PSO continues to be a community leader when it comes to helping neighbors. Without PSO’s support, it would be difficult for the Salvation Army to assist as many families. The Tulsa Shock is also showing loyalty towards its city by reaching out to help thousands of kids and families.  We appreciate having three Shock games to promote our mission. 

 It’s comforting to see so many people working to improve metro Tulsa! 

- Carrie

Chowdown on Bean Chowder!

Grab A Bowl of Famous TPS Bean Chowder To Help The Salvation Army

Alumni of Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) know this dish: brown bean chowder. Pinto beans, garlic, chili powder, beef, onion and a few other secret ingredients made this a favorite in the school cafeteria. The Center of Hope is taking a step back into time to bring this famous TPS recipe to the people of Tulsa.

 The Home Energy Aid Bean Chowder Chowdown is Thursday, July 18th from 11am-1pm at the Center of Hope located at 102 North Denver. Take-out boxes are also available, call ahead at (918) 582-7201 ext. 218 to place your order. Tickets are $7.00 and include bean chowder, cornbread, green salad and iced tea. Cinnamon rolls will also be available for an additional donation. One dozen tickets can be purchased for $75.

Fox 23 News anchors, reporters and other staff will be volunteering at the Bean Chowder Chowdown so come to the Center of Hope and say hello. We encourage all of you to buy lunch for your co-workers, friends and/or family while also helping out hundreds of Tulsa families.

All money raised through this event will be donated directly to summer utility bills for households facing financial challenges in the Tulsa metro area. Because many families have to choose between paying rent or electricity we see this program as a way to prevent homelessness by allowing both the rent and the energy bills to get paid.

The Bean Chowder Chowdown is quickly becoming a tradition during Home Energy Aid Month, which brings awareness and funds for these programs. Local utility providers that support year-round fundraising efforts for this program includes Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s Light A Life Program, Oklahoma Natural Gas Company’s Share the Warmth Program and Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company’s Lend A Hand Program.

Forget about bringing lunch to work on Thursday, instead try a bowl of famous TPS brown bean chowder to see why everyone loves this recipe.
-Carrie

Salvation Army helps people stay cool

Home Energy Aid Month raises money to help people pay for utilities

The Salvation Army has many programs that can make a huge impact on people’s lives. One of my favorites is Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA), which helps those who are facing financial challenges pay their utility bills.  We consider this a homeless prevention program.  It’s even got the attention of Mayor Dewey Barlett and Governor Mary Fallin who have declared July Home Energy Aid Month in Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma.

Home Energy Aid Month raises awareness of the program while helping us get more donations to ensure we can help everyone who needs it.  During the summer months, the funds we have to run this program start running low.  Some people have to choose between paying their gas/electric bill or their rent or food.  Each household can only receive assistance one time per year so the assistance does not create dependency, only offers them a hand up. The Salvation Army never pays all of the bill either, the customer must pay some of it.

EFA is funded primarily by donations to Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s Light A Life program, Oklahoma Natural Gas Company’s Share the Warmth program and Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company’s Lend A Hand program. We have several events planned for HEA Month including:


 *Bean Chowder Chowdown – Thursday, July 18th, 11am-1pm - For the second year in a row, the Center of Hope (102 N. Denver) will host the Bean Chowder Chowdown. For $7, people can get a bowl of bean chowder (recipe made famou sby Tulsa Public Schools), plus cornbread and a drink. Cinnamon rolls will also be available for an additional fee. This year, we are encouraging people to order take-out to get more businesses to buy for a group of people.

*PSO & Shock Partnership - July 19th, 21st & 25th – The Shock and PSO will hold various activities and fundraisers throughout these games to bring awareness to PSO’s Light A Life program and  Home Energy Aid Month. PSO is also providing 150 tickets to Boys & Girls Clubs members to the 25th game.

*Westlake Fan Discounts – The three Tulsa Westlake Hardware stores will donate several dozen box fans to The Salvation Army and hopes its customers will do the same. Westlake is offering discounted box fans for $16.99 in their stores for customers to buy and donate to us The promotion will run July 1-14.


-Carrie

"The Salvation Army Saved My Life"

How the Salvation Army Made a Difference to a former multi-millionaire.

 I first heard Lyle's personal story at a United Way tour through the Center of Hope; I was astonished by his story of loss, recovery and hope and wanted to share it with you.

Lyle Lawrence has a strong handshake, makes good eye contact & talks easily when you meet him. He is an experienced businessman & salesperson, and currently, a Center of Hope resident. Although Lyle once retired at the age of 36 with a net worth of 3.5 million dollars, he now shares a room with a fellow homeless substance abuser in recovery. How did he get here? Alcoholism. 

Lyle credit’s the Salvation Army with saving his life. Although he developed alcoholism late in life, it didn’t take him long after his retirement at the age of 36 to drink, gamble and smoke his savings away. He was broke by 47. And sleeping in his car shortly thereafter.   

But he had further to fall.

Guests at Center of Hope celebrate Salvation Army Week

 The Salvation Army means a new start for a young family at the Center of Hope

Bethany and Greg Bristol and their daughter Mkenzie, age 2, moved into The Salvation Army Center of Hope homeless shelter and social services center Dec. 10, 2012. I first met them at the monthly birthday party the Center of Hope holds every month for children staying there. I always think, and hope, that after four years of working for The Salvation Army I’ve left stereotypes of people who are homeless behind me, but upon meeting the couple and their toddler, I was once again surprised.

Bethany and Greg have a clean cut, wholesome, all American appearance that you would expect of someone like Greg, who has earned his Associates degree from TCC and also studied computer technology at the University of Tulsa. Bethany is the picture of the busy but happy mom, doting on Mkenzie’s every move.

But like many families staying in the Supportive Housing Program at the Center of Hope, they experienced a series of circumstances that ended with homelessness. It started with Greg losing his job. Then he was unable to find a new job because the car broke down, then they lost their home because of lack of income. They stayed with a friend until they needed to leave before they wore out their welcome. It’s a story I’ve heard many times.

What does The Salvation Army mean to them?

Bethany said that she was expecting “horrible, bad stuff” at the Center of Hope, such as prostitution, drug use and theft. “It has absolutely been the opposite. Tara and Kelley (their case managers) are amazing ladies. They really care about us. The name ‘Center of Hope’ is absolutely perfect for this place,” Bethany said.

 “It’s given us stability and a place to start again,” Greg said.

And that's what The Salvation Army means to them.

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!

To our thousands of volunteers we say, happy Volunteer Appreciation Week and thank you for all you do! The Salvation Army relies on volunteers to help us spread our mission of “Doing the Most Good.”  During 2011-2012 this is what our volunteers provided:

5,517 volunteers served 10, 310 hours at the Center of Hope.
5,301 volunteers served 61,913 hours at the  Boys & Girls Clubs.   
2,662 volunteers served 11,229 hours in the Tulsa Area Command office and warehouses. That's a total of 13,480 volunteers who served 83,452 total hours!

The average value of a volunteer hour in Oklahoma is $18.28. If you do the math, that comes out to our volunteers providing a $1,525,502.56 donation worth of service in just one year! WOW!

I love seeing the impact our volunteers have on the community. Think about it, these are individuals who simply feel compelled to help others, whether it is by serving meals at our Center of Hope or coaching a basketball team at one our six Boys & Girls Clubs. None of these volunteers set out to donate more than a million dollars to The Salvation Army, but because each one followed their heart together they did!

“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve” –Martin Luther King, Jr.

Check out the blog and our Facebook page each day this week for more ways to celebrate or volunteers!

- Jenny McElyea

Yes, people live there....

Toddlers at the Center of Hope

Thousands of people pass by our Center of Hope every day. The downtown facility is well known as an emergency shelter and place to get a hot meal. What most people don’t know is that there are actually families who live at our shelter. This program is called Supportive Housing and according to Supportive Housing Case Manager Kelley Maricle, it helps families who are willing to work toward self-sufficiency through case management, education and life skills training. The Center of Hope has 17 apartments for families in this program.

Center of Hope birthday party

Can you imagine if your life went off track in such a way that you ended up on the streets with your children with nowhere to turn? What if someone offered you a key to an apartment and the tools you needed to get back on your feet at no cost? That is exactly what this program does. The families in the program have to take it seriously and abide by all the rules but if they do, we can offer them a path to a brighter future.



What exactly does the program do? The program gives families—parent(s) with one or more children—a furnished apartment to call “home” while they address the issues that led to them becoming homeless. For some it is debt and poor money management, for others it may be a lack of job skills or training; there are many reasons that families seek out our help. Those in our program can stay in their apartment for up to two years while they attend weekly life skills classes where they learn budgeting, ethics, parenting and job hunting skills and much, much more. They also meet routinely with a skilled social worker to review their progress and ensure they stay on track.

There's a girl behind the flamingo!

This program helps families and residents all work together to make their time in the program enjoyable. Our staff helps them celebrate birthdays and holidays, but during my conversation with Kelley, she told me the families are always interested in doing more.

“They wish they could have cookouts and makeover nights, parent’s nights out and things like that.”   Unfortunately, the program funds don’t stretch that far so we are always looking for volunteers to help our families by offering their time and resources.

This program really does ensure The Salvation Army is Doing the Most Good; participants from our program leave ready to maintain their permanent housing with the skills they have learned during the time spent with us. If you would like to find out how you can volunteer with these families, call Jenny 918-587-7801.

-Lindsay