Homelessness: By the Numbers One week from today, partner agency staff across Oklahoma City – including MHAOK – will gather at 3:30 a.m., divide into groups of six and head out into hidden corners of the city to count as many people experiencing homelessness as we can find. The same count will take place in […]
The Importance of Shelters and Outreach Teams in Oklahoma Read More »
As winter temperatures plummet and Arctic blasts sweep across the nation, individuals experiencing homelessness face life-threatening conditions. In these extreme weather events, access to shelter, warmth, and supportive services becomes a matter of life and death. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) Recovery Services team (operating out of our peer-run drop-in center,
Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the latest Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, and the results for Oklahoma, as well as the rest of the country, were – are – alarming. AHAR shows a 17% spike in homelessness from 2023 to 2024, meaning more than 5,400 Oklahomans
As we reflect on 2024, Mental Health Association Oklahoma has made significant strides in our mission to support Oklahomans – particularly those facing mental illness or homelessness and their loved ones. This year, we’ve touched tens of thousands of lives, providing critical services and making a real difference in our communities. We kicked off the
2024: A Year in the Life Read More »
In a heartwarming display of generosity and community spirit, local philanthropist Dick Tanenbaum and his wife, Glenna, made a significant contribution that will have a lasting impact on the lives of our city’s homeless population. Dick’s donation has funded the expansion of the patio at Lottie House, our peer-run drop-in center in Oklahoma City, transforming
We met Shay Swindall in early spring, tucked away in an encampment. She was among several Oklahomans experiencing homelessness who were provided care by our Street Medicine team that chilly April morning, and she, like the others, was relieved to have the help. MHAOK operates the only two street medicine teams in the state,
Street Medicine provides a critical service to those experiencing homelessness Read More »
Skeeter’s story is about determination, resilience, and the power of second chances. Having faced the challenge of homelessness compounded by substance use, Skeeter’s journey had been a tumultuous one. Previous attempts at housing were unsuccessful, primarily due to the complexities of his substance use. However, Skeeter’s life turned positive when he joined our housing program
From homelessness to housing to a valued MHAOK employee Read More »
Sometime between this Monday and next, the temperature will become downright unbearable. It is already formidable. Most of the state is in the midst of a winter thunderstorm, after all. While many of us – myself included – leave our warm homes, travel to the office in our warm cars before returning to our warm
Donation items needed for impending arctic blast Read More »
As we leave 2023 behind, we’re celebrating the hard-earned victories, the lives changed, the partnerships made, the relationships strengthened and the lessons learned. We hugged, laughed, cried and literally leapt for joy all year long, because the people we serve are everything. Just a snapshot of our success include assisting more than 5,000 vulnerable Oklahomans
