'We Don't Have Anywhere Else To Go:' Okmulgee Homeless Shelter Asks Public For Help Facing Possible Closure

The homeless shelter in Okmulgee is reaching out for help as it faces the potential of closing its doors. Staff say that previous mismanagement of funds led them to this point.

Staff explained that it has been a long few months of figuring out how to stretch finances. Money is so tight the shelter isn't sure if it has enough to make it through the end of the year.

The Okmulgee homeless shelter is full. "We will get them in, get them up to a bed, make sure they have blankets and pillows and know all the rules," said Matt Devilbiss. 

Staff like Devilbiss know firsthand the work they do is necessary. "Me and my family we were homeless. We were staying in a tent out at Okmulgee Lake. We were in the tent for about 8 months," he said. 

Now, he's one of the shelters case managers. "We're worried about our clients, where they would go if we shut down," said Devilbiss. 

After the shelter said previous staff mismanaged funds, the interim executive director, Rosie Lynch, said they were working to rebuild trust with grant agencies.

"Granting processes have very strict guidelines, and if you don't follow those guidelines, grants can be pulled. So whatever happened previously, the guidelines weren't followed," Lynch said. 

While she talked to Tulsa Area United Way about emergency funds, she was worried about taking care of their clients.

"Without the funding and the emergency stop gap, that fill in the gap, we don't have anywhere else to go."

Lynch is asking the public to help the shelter stay open until next grant season.

"Just really reaching out to the community, to local businesses, to businesses and agencies statewide to see how we can keep this place open," Lynch said. 

As they continued to help all those that came to their door, Lynch and Devilbiss hoped their mission would continue for years to come.

The shelter says it currently needs about $20,000 to keep its doors open. To ease the burden, it's hosting fundraisers to keep it running, along with other organizations in the community who are raising money as well.

Monetary donations can be sent to the Okmulgee County Homeless Shelter at 214 North Morton Avenue, Okmulgee, OK 74447. You can also contact them at (918) 756-9098 for other ways to donate. 

The shelter is hosting an Indian Taco Dinner Fundraiser on November 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at American Legion, 730 West 6th Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447.