Project Able Men Honored at All Souls

Project Able participants John Ross and John Oak were recognized at All Souls Unitarian Church Wed., May 26 at an annual garden party and dinner held to recognize people for their contributions to the church’s Adult Religious Education programming. The men had screened the film “How Sally Changed My Life” at the church in February at an educational forum. 

Ross created and directed the film and Oak  appeared in it. After the screening at All Souls, the men had held a Q & A session with church members. At the dinner, senior minister Rev. Marlin Lavanhar sat with Ross and Oak and talked to them about their experiences of being homeless and participating in the Project Able program at the Center of Hope homeless shelter and social services center. The men live in Project Able H.U.D. apartments while they are working, going to school and saving money for a place of their own.  The film premiered at the Circle Cinema in October and the filmmakers and other participants in the film have shown it at eight area venues incluing OU-Tulsa and other churches. 

Since the premiere, four of the seven homeless people staying at the Center of Hope who were interviewed in the film have moved to permanent housing, the goal of the social services programs at the center.
-Sallie

Photo: From left, front: John Oak, John Ross. Back: Sallie Godwin, Danna Vitt, member of the Adult Religious Education Board.