August 2022
Mack's Trip to DC

In July, I had the opportunity to attend the annual National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference in Washington DC. It was the first time the conference met in person since 2019. The Conference never disappoints! Hundreds from across the country gather to attend sessions centered around: Best Practices, important legislative initiatives, strategies on advocating these initiatives to the Congress, and enthusiastic speakers encouraging perseverance and resilience. National data is shared of the successes and the continuing challenges that we face. 

My takeaways from this year:

  1. Lived Experience. People with “Lived Experience” should be at the table in all aspects of formulating viable solutions, including program and policy decisions. 
  2. Data shows a nationwide increase in family homelessness and unsheltered individuals. This is consistent with local data. 
  3. Negative messaging on homelessness is on the increase. States across the country are criminalizing homelessness and narratives against Housing First are becoming prevalent. Locally, we are having to respond to new city ordinances that lean toward criminalizing homelessness. 
  4. There is a formidable need to come up with solutions for the lack of affordable housing. Shared housing and master leasing were some possible solutions that could be implemented locally. 

I always learn new and interesting ways that other cities are serving those experiencing homelessness, but I also come away verifying that we already use amazing practices and solutions to the problem. With your help, the Day Center and its Staff will continue to persevere and serve the unsheltered with compassion. 

Mack Haltom
Executive Director
Be Heard Pop-Up Success!
On Friday, July 29th, we were asked to be a part of the first ever pop-up event hosted by the Be Heard Movement. It was a rainy day, but we showed up and enjoyed the company of over 60 other providers who help those experiencing homelessness. We were told to expect around 150 people, but over 580 showed up!

This stresses the extreme needs in our community. Please help us help others by donating today! Text "DAYCENTER" to 44321 to learn more.

To learn more about the Be Heard Movement and their passion, click here.
AMC Mortgage Donates Water!
A huge thanks to AMC Mortgage for their donation of nearly 5,000 bottles of water! With this never-ending summer heat these will go very fast. To learn more about AMC Mortgage and their work in Tulsa, click here.
Dinner Thanks
We always have a great collective of groups, churches, businesses and families that provide dinner for our clients EVERY NIGHT of the week. Do you have a group that would be interested?? For more details, contact our Volunteer Coordinator Co Edwards.

Open dates in Sept. are the 3rd, 13th, 21st, and the 28th.
We Need Underwear!!
Underwear is one of the most needed items in our clothing room this month. We prefer new, but gently used is okay too. Donations can be made at:
415 West Archer, in downtown Tulsa
7 days a week from 8am-5pm.

Want to use Amazon instead? Click on this link to order direct and it ships straight to us!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook to keep up with all our latest needs and updates.
Why I Work Here:
Monica Martin
A Leadership Tulsa Class of 54 graduate, Monica Martin serves the Tulsa Day Center as the Director of Development. She dedicates her time to raising awareness and building donations to promote its mission to provide a safe and healthy environment for people are experiencing homelessness and provide opportunities and encouragement for achieving self sufficiency.

Currently, she is working hard for the return of our in-person annual fundraiser, Heart of Henry in Feb. 2023. Be on the look out for the letter in the mail with more info.

If you would to learn more or ask about financial donations, email her here.
In Memoriam: Board Member, Sherry Gamble-Smith
Mrs. Gamble-Smith was an extraordinary leader, trailblazer, teacher, encourager, supporter, mentor and so much more to her community. As Founding President of the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce, she worked diligently across all sectors to further economic growth in our community. Mrs. Gamble-Smith brought us all together peacefully and effectively. A gift to Tulsa, she loved her community and will truly be missed by all. 

Please keep her beloved family, staff, friends,
and our community in your prayers.  
Did you know that fair market value apartments support a portion of Hudson Villas? Check out our 60- unit, fully-furnished apartment complex close to TU! To learn more, contact Director Latasha Anderson or click here to apply.
Efficiency Apartments - Section 8 Eligible
Do you know about The Bail Project?
The Bail Project combats mass incarceration by disrupting the money bail system
—one person at a time.
 
We restore the presumption of innocence, reunite families, and challenge a system that criminalizes race and poverty. We’re on a mission to end cash bail and create a more just, equitable, and humane pretrial system.

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