2022 has been a big year for us at the Tulsa Day Center. After our expansion, we added staff and programs, and helped secure housing for almost 400 clients including 75 families. Our Medical Clinic saw over 2,200 clients and saved Tulsans $440,000 in averted ER visits.
2022 brought some tears too. We lost three staff members, Kisha, Darren and Jack, along with a great Board member, Sherri Gamble Smith. We honored their lives during our annual winter solstice remembrance service along with another 50 people in the homeless community we lost last year.
2022 had its moments of joy when we celebrated achievements with clients who graduated through our Rapid Rehousing Program, even adding Board members who have lived experience—it’s been great to hear their stories.
2022 was challenging. On Christmas Eve, I got a call that a water line had frozen and burst, flooding 21 apartments at our Hudson Villas complex. Our Director of Maintenance, Calvin, rushed to the scene and spent his holiday with mops, fans, busting sheet rock and helping our HV Director Latasha find temporary housing for those 21 residents.
2022 we saw great collaboration with area shelters during extreme weather. Housing Solutions worked with area partners and faith groups to provide shelter during the cold weather blast over the holidays. Our friends at Iron Gate provided over 2,000 meals, more than 200 volunteers helped secure shelter. We do truly work as a team!
2023 is moving fast and our staff is busy prepping for our annual gala Heart of Henry (see below for more info), getting Hudson Villas back in shape, working with property owners and apartment complexes to find rare affordable housing in Tulsa, and so much more.
2023 I will serve as the Chair of “A Way Home for Tulsa,” a collective of over 30 organizations that exists to plan strategies, outreach and engagement to help those at risk of and those experiencing homelessness.
All of this to say, we cannot do this work without you!
Thank you and I hope you had an amazing new year!
Mack Haltom
Executive Director
