Haven of hope

Tucked into the trees of a 5-acre ranch in Sapulpa, Tulsa Girls’ Home serves teen girls placed in Oklahoma’s foster care system by offering a safe space of shelter, services and support.

“Tulsa Girls’ Home is less like a facility and more of a family. It’s less clinical and all that,” says current resident Georgia (name changed for privacy), 17. “We do sit-down dinners together, and we talk about our day. We hug each other, and we’re just close like that.”

When a girl arrives, she is immediately placed on an individualized path toward healing that includes weekly one-on-one therapy, group counseling and support for her own personal goals. The girls also receive life skills training in areas such as cooking, personal finance, etiquette, household management and employment assistance like resume building and interview coaching.

Tulsa Girls’ Home staff members also work to combat negative or preconceived notions that may exist about teens in foster care. “Whenever you meet someone, they might have this opinion or stereotype of us in their head,” 15-year-old Jessica (name changed for privacy) adds. “They (TGH) try to tell them ‘Hey, that’s not it,’ and show them we’re more than that.” TP

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BY TIFFANY HOWARD