Why We Do

Our Stories

BILL

Bill is a retired military mechanic. He served in the military for years and remains proud of his service and commitment to our country. He is now a disabled veteran in need of our help. He was recently widowed and behind on bills due to funeral costs. His immediate family resides in a different state on the west coast and could not provide financial support. Bill comes to see us a few times throughout the year. We help him with food so that he doesn’t go hungry when his disability check runs out. We have also been able to help him when unexpected expenses occurred and he was not able to afford paying for his electric bill this past year.

TED

Having a “Can Do” attitude is what made a difference for Ted, it helped him overcame his obstacles. When Ted first came to Owasso Community Resources, his driver’s license was suspended, he was unemployed, no transportation, no family support, and very little food. Despite the number of things going wrong for him, he had decided that finding a job was the only thing that could help him make things better in his life.

We provided food and helped him obtain a bicycle to conduct a job search. Ted visited us once a week for case management support. We provided resources to help with his employment search. Finding job opportunities within close proximity to his home was a challenge but the only option at the time. It took patience, many job applications and rejections before he was successful. It’s been a year since he was hired and continues to work, his “Can Do Attitude”… definitely paid off.

EVELYN

Do you know what it is like to experience true hunger? To go to bed hungry, not knowing where you or your family’s next meal will come from? Can you imagine how a parent must feel when they find themselves unable to feed their family?

Evelyn is an Owasso resident who can answer these questions for us. She is a married women in her 40s. The couple has lived in Owasso for over 20 years and together they raised three children. Evelyn’s husband is thankfully employed, however, unemployment has affected more than one person in their family. Evelyn was laid off 18 months ago, as well as, one of their adult children. Unfortunately, with little options, their daughter opted for moving herself and her infant back into her parents’ household. Together, they are trying to recover and working to get back on their feet. In the past two years, Evelyn’s circumstances have changed drastically. Her home now consists of 3 adults, one infant, and only one income to support them. Along with baby needs, there are two more mouths to feed. Sharing her desperation, Evelyn said, “A lot of changes in my life brought me here today…with only one income and struggling to pay the mortgage and utilities, the amount of food we have at home is not enough”. At times, she must rely on area food pantries to feed everyone in the household. “The food is very helpful,” Evelyn said. Then, sounding bewildered, she added in a low tone, “Things are just totally different for me.”

JAMES AND PATTY

James and Patty have four children and have lived in Collinsville for years. The family is struggling. These days, James and Patty are making some of the most difficult decisions they’ve ever tackled. James is a hard working man who had always provided a comfortable lifestyle for his family. He worked many years for a construction company but jobs are now scarce. His income is not consistent and Patty has now only been able to work part-time. Two years ago, they never imagined having the need to visit OCR. James shares that “usually, things go better for us and we’ve support helping organizations but this has been a tough year”. After renegotiating with the mortgage company as many times as possible, the family of six moved into a two bedroom rental home. At the same time, Patty’s vehicle was reposed. Hopeless for losing their home and struggling month after month, Patty hugged her two youngest children as she tearfully explained that their utilities were about to be cut-off. At this time, all she could say was: “How do you decide if you are going to eat…or be warm…..or take showers” before she bursts into tears.

BILL

Bill is a retired military mechanic. He served in the military for years and remains proud of his service and commitment to our country. He is now a disabled veteran in need of our help. He was recently widowed and behind on bills due to funeral costs. His immediate family resides in a different state on the west coast and could not provide financial support. Bill comes to see us a few times throughout the year. We help him with food so that he doesn’t go hungry when his disability check runs out. We have also been able to help him when unexpected expenses occurred and he was not able to afford paying for his electric bill this past year.

TED

Having a “Can Do” attitude is what made a difference for Ted, it helped him overcame his obstacles. When Ted first came to Owasso Community Resources, his driver’s license was suspended, he was unemployed, no transportation, no family support, and very little food. Despite the number of things going wrong for him, he had decided that finding a job was the only thing that could help him make things better in his life.

We provided food and helped him obtain a bicycle to conduct a job search. Ted visited us once a week for case management support. We provided resources to help with his employment search. Finding job opportunities within close proximity to his home was a challenge but the only option at the time. It took patience, many job applications and rejections before he was successful. It’s been a year since he was hired and continues to work, his “Can Do Attitude”… definitely paid off.

EVELYN

Do you know what it is like to experience true hunger? To go to bed hungry, not knowing where you or your family’s next meal will come from? Can you imagine how a parent must feel when they find themselves unable to feed their family?

Evelyn is an Owasso resident who can answer these questions for us. She is a married women in her 40s. The couple has lived in Owasso for over 20 years and together they raised three children. Evelyn’s husband is thankfully employed, however, unemployment has affected more than one person in their family. Evelyn was laid off 18 months ago, as well as, one of their adult children. Unfortunately, with little options, their daughter opted for moving herself and her infant back into her parents’ household. Together, they are trying to recover and working to get back on their feet. In the past two years, Evelyn’s circumstances have changed drastically. Her home now consists of 3 adults, one infant, and only one income to support them. Along with baby needs, there are two more mouths to feed. Sharing her desperation, Evelyn said, “A lot of changes in my life brought me here today…with only one income and struggling to pay the mortgage and utilities, the amount of food we have at home is not enough”. At times, she must rely on area food pantries to feed everyone in the household. “The food is very helpful,” Evelyn said. Then, sounding bewildered, she added in a low tone, “Things are just totally different for me.”

JAMES AND PATTY

James and Patty have four children and have lived in Collinsville for years. The family is struggling. These days, James and Patty are making some of the most difficult decisions they’ve ever tackled. James is a hard working man who had always provided a comfortable lifestyle for his family. He worked many years for a construction company but jobs are now scarce. His income is not consistent and Patty has now only been able to work part-time. Two years ago, they never imagined having the need to visit OCR. James shares that “usually, things go better for us and we’ve support helping organizations but this has been a tough year”. After renegotiating with the mortgage company as many times as possible, the family of six moved into a two bedroom rental home. At the same time, Patty’s vehicle was reposed. Hopeless for losing their home and struggling month after month, Patty hugged her two youngest children as she tearfully explained that their utilities were about to be cut-off. At this time, all she could say was: “How do you decide if you are going to eat…or be warm…..or take showers” before she bursts into tears.