OKC ODYSSEY
Project shows challenges facing poor, homeless
Arandom Wednesday in August provided a frustrating glimpse at a day experienced by hundreds every day in Oklahoma City.
Mike had seen 20 years in the penitentiary. Angela fought terminal illnesses. Charles had lingering effects from a stroke that caused him to lose things like his debit card. April couldn’t believe someone had stolen her tent. Meanwhile, Kevin and his fiancee shivered through the previous night in their tent, sleeping in rain water.
All willingly offered advice to two strangers who wandered into their lives on a sticky Wednesday in August: If you want off the streets, it won’t be easy. And the process takes time. Way more than just one day.
Earlier this summer, City Care approached local musician Jonathan Williams and me about The Odyssey Project, an event to raise funds and awareness to fight the cycle of poverty and homelessness. We would spend a day among some of the most vulnerable in Oklahoma City. Williams, known by his stage name Jabee, would go into the day without money or identification and with the goals of finding a job, food and shelter.
We brought along a camera to help tell people’s stories. You can find a 30-minute documentary online at NewsOK.com. Jabee will share his experiences at 7 p.m. Saturday at City Care’s inaugural
The Odyssey Project event at the Stone Barn at Blueberry Hill, 3705 NE 36 St. Ticket information is available at odysseyprojectokc.com.
Our journey began at 6 a.m. and ultimately ended around 10:30 p.m. We met with helpful counselors at the WestTown day shelter, 1724 NW 4, and Upward Transitions, 1134 W Main St. They advised us through the paperwork and process of obtaining identification and a driver’s license. We were directed to the Downtown Tag Agency, 119 N Robinson, which accepts Upward Transitions’ vouchers. Obstacles kept coming throughout the day and by nightfall we had not obtained any IDs. Those obstacles included time needed to walk the city streets and closing time for the agencies.
We also didn’t find a place to sleep. Intake appeared to be a lengthy process and began at 9 a.m. at the Salvation Army, City Rescue Mission and Grace Rescue Mission. The Salvation Army had no available beds and we were too late for other locations. Many places have become program-based to help fight addictions. We had one night, no addictions and no luck.
We did find food. The WestTown day shelter offers free breakfast and lunch daily. It also provides restrooms, showers, a library, internet access and kennels for pets. It became our home base and appeared to be home base for many others as well, feeding around 300 each day.
We also met generous people. Those encountering homelessness were willing to share their stories with us and on camera. Some were recent additions to Oklahoma City’s streets, coming from prison or other circumstances. Others had been on the streets for longer periods. Some had jobs. Some were actively seeking identification.
Those who worked at the day shelter, Upward Transitions, the Downtown Tag Agency and Curbside Chronicle were very generous with their time and advice. We lucked into a Wednesday night meal at Cross and Crown Mission, 1008 N McKinley Ave. Tacos, doughnuts and bottled water with a side of gospel kept us going.