Inspiration
💚 Inspiration for someone that needs to hear this today!
I put together a video of some of the missing persons that are under 25. Thank you to Missing and Murdered: The Great Plains, Missing Across America, The Aware Foundation, and Guardian Voice of the Missing for their amazing flyers that really make a difference in finding those that are missing. Currently in Oklahoma there are roughly 695 listed. Please share and help and help bring a child home to their family. #RedAlert #MMIP #Oklahoma
This morning I came across Debbie. Debbie was doing her best trying to survive under the bridge. The temperature is right at 30 and for some reason it was the time the city decided to come out and take down camps.
Today please See Debbie. I came across Debbie as her camp was being disassembled by city employees. The temperature is right around 30 degrees and folks are fighting to keep warm, hunkered down in their tents. The back of the city trucks are full of sleeping bags, tents tarps, and Christmas gifts donated by various organizations. I am shocked that people are losing their homes during the freeze.
Debbie understands why they make her move, but has no idea where she can move to next… disabled she can not move without help. Debbie wants to encourage everyone to write your elected officials and ask them to be more humane. While videoing the city decided to leave. A brief reprieve for Debbie.
Meet Bruce, just 45 years young and long time resident at the Plaza Inn.
There has been much speculation as to how many people were displaced when the Plaza Inn closed their doors on Friday. Today I came across Bruce who had lived at the Plaza Inn for roughly 5 years. Bruce explained that he grew up in OKC and went through a tough loss of his parents and then a brutal divorce, which resulted in him becoming homeless. Panhandling during the day to come up with the funds to stay in the Plaza; the Plaza Inn was the most affordable option for housing. All of the neighboring hotels cost double or more compared to the Plaza Inn. Bruce admits there were issues at the hotel, like widespread drugs and violence, but it was all he could afford. I asked Bruce how many people lived at the Plaza and he estimated close to 250. The reason so many was because folks would share in the cost of the room, so in a one bedroom there maybe 4 or 5 people sleeping there. The hotel was nearly always full.
I searched and could not find where any organizations or groups were helping the residents find other accommodations. I have already noticed more than the usual amount of folks wandering in search of another place to stay. Some folks have made it into the city, looking for refuge there, but a majority of the shelters have been full for sometime. I spoke with a group of folks at the night shelter that head over there every night in hopes of getting a bed with no luck. One young man, named Nathan shared that he has been unable to get a bed for weeks now.
The only good news is that cold weather is upon us. The shelters all have some additional space when the temperatures reach below freezing. The largest and new addition to the OKC shelters is slated to open November 11, 2023. It has the capacity to hold an unknown number of folks. I have gone by there and checked it out. Crews are working day and night to get it completed as soon as possible.
With regards to Bruce, I gave him some help for today and I’m hoping to see him again tomorrow and loo
See and Meet Jack.
I came across Jack this evening while handing out missing flyers. I am so grateful that he took pause to explain his circumstances. So often we come across someone like Jack, a little short on cash to buy dinner, help him out at the register, but never take the time to stop and listen. Jack is just 57 years young and homeless. He works double shifts as a cook, but can only eat at the business he works at while he is on the schedule for the day. Beyond that, he must not be anywhere near work. He makes enough to get a couple nights a week at a local hotel, but admittedly can not afford a full week. Currently it costs roughly $300 a week to stay at even the cheapest hotels. On the weekends, he is forced to sleep behind a building. He explained he walks most of the night to keep warm. In a perfect world I could help Jack with more, but a few dollars for a real meal and some bus passes is all I could swing. He felt so blessed. I pray we cross paths again.
Delmar 64 years young
Please meet and See Delmar, who became homeless after getting injured on the job during the pandemic. Recently his wife kicked him out of their home. She asked him for a divorce after 30 years because he isn’t able to work anymore. He is living on the side of the shed in the background. He explains in his video that he wants to work, but because of his back injury, after falling several feet trimming a rather large tree, it is very difficult. The fall was such that it knocked him unconscious. Most of his life he has worked at jobs that require hard labor. His wife has been on disability for sometime and that was the only income his family has had for the last 3 years. It broke my heart to see him set up for the evening outside. He made a lean to with a tarp. He has such a positive attitude and really wants to work, but his knowledge base is limited. Starting over at 64 seems impossible, but we are both praying for a miracle 🙏. (Sorry for the noise in the background, it was windy… I have since gotten a better recorder)
April 8, 2022, Kyle Morris and his family had their lives turned upside down at a Dallas Maverick’s game. Season ticket holder, he didn’t give it a second thought when his 15 year old daughter got up to use the bathroom. However, it was minutes later when she was lured away from the game. Ten days later, it would be discovered that she was being trafficked in OKC.
Thankfully, four people have been arrested and three have been sentenced with one waiting for a trial date. Kyle’s daughter would be one out of 70 that were recovered in Operation Lost Souls.
Had a great day. Visiting friends at Church Under the Bridge, OKC. Below is Merl. He shares with all of the folks visiting for the first time, an amazing story of hope. Victory Church blessed the folks that came to church with me with all of the left overs- so that we could bless those who couldn’t make it to church- Thank you💚
Today please See Diego Jones. Originally from San Diego, California, he has lived in Oklahoma City for several years. Just 42 years young, he is currently living at the Night Shelter. His girlfriend is pregnant and they are expecting twins, a girl and a boy, later this Spring. When I asked Diego how he feels about being a father, he lights up.
Diego wants a fresh start- a new life away from his former gang banging ways. He has been estranged from his family for so many years, he lacks some of the life skills to move forward. Drinking helps him cope with his anxiety. He doesn’t abuse substances anymore, as they have robbed him of so much in his life. In the interview he talks about maybe having to go back to jail again. I asked him to tell me some more about that and he shared he has a $150 class he has to take as part of his probation and he doesn’t have anyway to pay for it, so he fears he will be found in violation and have to go back.
Day by day Diego is working on changing his life. I feel like he might only be a program away from a break through. There is a group I am trying to put him in contact with that maybe able to help him out. 🙏
Tonight, I am beside myself with anger. A term I learned years ago is applicable to my experience this evening. “Shocks the conscience” is a phrase used as a legal standard in the United States and Canada. An action is understood to "shock the conscience" if it is "grossly unjust to the observer. It was the first thought that came to mind as I pulled up to the Night Shelter on Villa to share the good news with our friend Michelle.
Michelle had taken the Embark down to the Night Shelter and arrived around 4:30pm to get in line. Three hours later, at 7:30, I pulled up and saw her sitting outside in her chair with three other people. The three with her were standing outside so they could smoke. The doors to the shelter were locked and the waiting area was packed, no room for the wheelchair. Michelle explained that she wasn’t allowed inside, even to use the bathroom. Forced to sit in her soiled clothing when the temperature had reached 23 degrees without the windchill. My blood started to boil. I helped her into my car. Michelle had tears of joy. She was so grateful. I let her know that the Homeless Alliance had reserved a room for her at a local hotel.
I had learned last week that Michelle’s most prized possession was her son’s ashes. With that in mind I had someone let me in the shelter. I explained I was there to pickup Michelle and her things. As I was lead down a long hallway, I noticed many folks were already getting comfortable and eating dinner. All that but the 20 stuck in the waiting room and of course Michelle. When asked why I was picking up Michelle I could not hold back anymore. As I stood with a garbage bag loading all of her clothing out of their totes, I asked the woman, do you know her story? She explained that of course she did. I took a deep breath, and then it came out. How could you treat her this way, this is discrimination. Yes, discrimination as she is being made to sit in the freezing cold, denied dinner a
Today, please See Michelle. Michelle is 70 years old and has been living at the night shelter since her son was murdered a little over a year ago. In this video Michelle explains some of the hardships she has encountered living unhoused and dependent on the night shelter. She also proposes some solutions. Wheelchair bound, she has explored her housing options, but believe it or not, it is hard to find places that are ADA compliant.
Michelle explains that the Night Shelter makes her leave the property by 5:30 am. She can not return until 6:00 pm. They have no suggestions or any arrangements for where the over 160 folks that sleep at the shelter to go… anywhere but there. Imagine having to be woke up at 5am, after a night on a mat in the hallway, with 30 minutes to get ready to wander in the cold 🥶
Yes, It’s really sad. It’s the best our city has to offer. Driving through downtown, you see folks wandering. They have no place to go when they are not welcome at the night shelters. They may go down to the libraries or the day shelters, but they must find their way there. The shelters are full and finding places that can accommodate folks who are disabled is challenging. Last night I counted over a dozen wheelchairs and ten folks in walkers. I pray we find a solution that is safe and plausible for all of them.
Today please See John Nunizato. He went by Otto. He was one of the other souls lost last year. John was 63 years young. Originally from Florida, his family moved to Oklahoma when he was very young. His father was a decorated Air Force WWII Veteran. He became unhoused after losing his parents. It is very common to come across folks with unhealed grief on the streets. They get stuck. For John his grief was compounded by the brutal litigation with his sister over his parents estate. John was stripped of his rights and left literally in the cold.
Sadly, he was dumped to the streets following heart surgery and ultimately did not recover. Rest In Peace Otto, you will be missed💚
Today, please See Melissa Mansfield or Missy. I met her about a year and a half ago and shared her story. She was one of the souls we lost last year. In honor of Missy, I wanted to share her story again. The word in the community was that her drinking cost her her life, but I think it was her broken heart. She never recovered from losing Mike. I can’t imagine losing everything and starting over at 50 years young😞
Missy was 54 years old and had been homeless for nearly 4 years. She is from OKC. She explained to me that she was in a long term relationship with a man named Mike. He sent her out to get his prescriptions at Costco. When she left the store she was greeted by the police. Mike had passed away while she was gone. They asked her stay away from her home for 24 hours, which was long enough for his family to clear out the home of everything. Now no place to live, she started to drink and lost everything in her life. Missy is grateful that Mike sent her to the store because she doesn’t think she could have handled the grief of seeing him pass. She is so up beat and optimistic. She spends her days cleaning hotel rooms in exchange for a room and the remainder of her time panhandling for food money. Missy enjoyed smiling and praying for people that stop at the freeway exit.
She was aware of the services that are available to help her, but didn’t want to take away from those that are in need. Rest In Peace my sweet friend. We will miss you 💚
So here is Christopher’s second video. Please See that while he is not currently in recovery for his mental health, he is trying to do better. Chris explains that his anger has caused him a great deal of heartache, but due to the trauma, pain, and uncertainty in the future, he is left lost as to how going forward he will survive. He has convinced himself that if he is going to live in housing that he has to save up money. This maybe part of why he lives in an alley. He believes not asking for help from his aunt and struggling he is actually saving up money to live. This video also explains why his aunt maybe avoiding him and what happened that sent him to live on the streets.
My hope going forward is that I can slowly help Christopher reach out to one of the many programs available that will both help him receive housing and medical help for his untreated conditions. There are many folks like Chris that believe surviving on their own on the streets is somehow better for their family or the only option. I hope to show him there is a better way and that he deserves a better life. My hope is that Chris begins to live life, not just survive it!
Today please See and meet Christopher. This is part 1. Christopher is 26 years young and has lived on the streets since age 22. He was born and raised in Oklahoma City.
Christopher explained that he lives with Schizophrenia and Oppositional Defiance Disorder. When he was a child he was told he had a learning disability. At one point he was a foster kid. His adopted dad pulled him out of school when he was a freshman in high school, for reasons Chris is not completely clear on. At one point Chris explains that he had been kept in a cage as punishment for his anger.
At a young age his mother passed away. Christopher’s aunt is currently managing his disability checks and has limited contact with Chris. All around Christopher’s life has been fraught with trauma and pain. More in our second video.
This is a touching video that demonstrates there are amazing things happening all around us and many of us are unaware because we may not witness it for ourselves. I was asked in a pod cast what I would change in the community- I would love for us to be the change in our community that we want to see. Love people where they are. Everyday I set out to change one persons life. Imagine how the world would look if we all did the same💚
Please See Mark. He is 63 years young and from Ohio. He has lived in Oklahoma City for a number of years, most of them unhoused. He is very optimistic and explains during his video that he chooses to be homeless, so he can live free. While I may not share his views, I do appreciate his positive attitude and demeanor. After his video I asked him what happened that lead him to becoming homeless. He has been homeless off and on since he lost his second wife. He doesn’t have any biological children, but helped raise 20.
He has step children that live here in Oklahoma, which is why he chooses to live here. Untreated grief may contribute to his disposition, but he has buried it pretty deep in order to survive in his current situation. When we spoke about the possibility of getting housing he was open to the idea, but hesitant because he really enjoys the outdoors and wants to able to come and go as he pleases. It reminds me of Mike’s video when he spoke about giving up on society. I’m curious if Mark has done just that…
Mike part 2: Mike shares his heart and the reasons he believes most of the unhoused community is in this predicament. Warning this video maybe disturbing and triggering for some. He shares very personal reasons for some of the very real trauma he has endured in his life.
Mike is working on getting off the hamsters wheel that many who are homeless find themselves on. Day by day he gets closer to doing just that…. 💚
Part 1: Today Please See Mike. Mike is 53 and currently unhoused. He grew up in Oklahoma City. I met Mike a little over a year ago. Mike stays downtown at night and during the day he travels to get meals with his good friend Michelle.
The first time Mike was homeless he was only 18. Freshly released from one of the local hospitals, he had no where to go. He grew up in a home with domestic violence and lost his mother at a young age. Mike has spent his life trying to grow through the circumstances that he was dealt. He has spent many visits at local mental health hospitals. It’s heartbreaking; however, he is determined to have a better life, to find a way to have a normal life.
At one point he married and had 3 children, but once his marriage failed, he ended up back on the streets. He is currently working through the system, trying to find a program that will help him get employment and to once and for all get free from the homeless cycle. It’s tough. Everyday he looks for the way out and everyday he finds barriers that hold him back. I have hope that he will find a way 💚
Today please See Nick. Nick is 53 years young. Currently he is unhoused. I met Nick when I was out and around Hope Community Services today. I think our encounter will stick with me for awhile.
Nick, has been homeless since he was 18 years of age. He couldn’t recall when he started living outside the building where he is today. He said it had been for awhile. I was taken back by the fact that the employees at Hope knew he was there. They gave him a blanket. That’s all he had. You can see the soccer cleats that he was using as a pillow. He had no shoes. Someone had placed dog food on the ground near him.
Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and insomnia; his treatment requires medication every two days. So that he doesn’t miss a dose, he lives right outside the clinic.
I brought him food and I’ve gathered up some items for him, but honestly, I am so taken back by the inhumane treatment he has received. Digging in garage cans, looking for scraps, pour Nick is being treated like an abandoned pet. As I left him I couldn’t stop crying. He is someone’s son, uncle, and grandchild. How have we gotten so numb to the suffering around us?
This mental health provider has been given funds to house the homeless, why wasn’t Nick on the list? Perhaps because the truth is he needs more help than an apartment can give him. He should live in a group home where someone can give him his meds. The trouble is, he doesn’t have an advocate. Even if he did, there are not enough beds. Right now, he would wait 15 months or longer. Perhaps that’s where he should start.
There is no sober living homes for folks living with mental illness. That’s right. Even though he is in recovery, mental health meds are not allowed in sober living. You must be free of all mind altering substances. Even if he could find a house that would allow them, it’s each man or woman to themselves- no one to help him with his meds. There is nothing for Nick, so
