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Sherry Elder (left), and Mavis King (center), rehearse with the Sweet Adelines International singing group at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. A member of the group offered to pay King's dues after she was laid off. "It's my passion. It's a thing you can go in with the weight of the world on your shoulders ... and your cares go away," King said. "It's a lifesaver." ADAM WISNESKI/Tulsa World |
 fter losing her job, burning through her savings and fearing what will happen if things don’t turn around, all Mavis King can do is sing.
“Singing has saved my life more than once,” King said. “I can get into it and it’s an expression from the soul. You get into it and you feel better.
“It’s the only thing I do that keeps me from getting down because it brings me so much pleasure. Plus, I can’t afford to do anything else.”
A friend has been paying her membership dues so she can continue singing in the Oklahoma Jubilee chapter of the Sweet Adeline Singers. King is one of thousands of  Oklahomans who have lost their job during the recession and have turned to the safety net of social programs for the first time.
Social service programs are reporting significant increases in need, with some hitting record high numbers of clients.
First-time clients at the social service agencies have varied, yet similar stories.
They have been laid off, furloughed, lost benefits or had their work hours reduced. They can’t make ends meet and are looking for a way to get by.
“These are proud people who are embarrassed to have to ask for assistance, said Kim Goddard, executive director of Broken Arrow Neighbors.
Goddard said families who are chronically poor know where to turn for assistance. That is not the case with people facing difficulties for the first time.
“Many don’t even know where to begin to look for help,” Goddard said.
The 211 helpline is the go-to resource for aid, with a database of hundreds of social programs in an 18-county area and staffed with trained social workers. Operators can  determine eligibility and give a list of resources including hours of operation and required documentation.
“We do want them to come to 211 first because we don’t want them floating out there wasting time and energy not sure where to go for help,” said Jim Lyall, director of 211 and associate director at the Community Service Council.
Calls have increased by about 24 percent from last year and are hitting record highs. In June, calls hit about 11,000; and in July, calls surpassed 12,000, Lyall said.
“We expected 10,000 callers and didn’t expect 12,000,” Lyall said “Because we don’t have funding in place to increase staff to keep up with the increased volume, we are developing protocols to handle that.”
Since November, about 62 percent of callers are first-time users of 211, Lyall said.
Of the 37 percent repeat callers, nearly all report needing more money to get caught up on bills for basic needs including food, utilities and housing.
“Agencies are not only getting more people, but people coming back a second or third time are needing more money to solve their challenges or needs,” Lyall said. “They are falling further behind or their costs are increasing. Maybe they are trying to catch up, but fell two months behind and not just one month behind.”
August is traditionally a tough month for families with children returning to school. Not only are there requirements to purchase school supplies but there is added pressure for new clothes and backpacks.
Groups including nonprofit social services and churches are offering free supplies.
“That is a shifting list, and we are closely monitoring that and updating,” Lyall said.
211 has an updated list of groups offering school supplies and has an option on the phone line specifically for school needs.
“We will have a voice mail option for people wanting to listen just for school supplies,” Lyall said. “That way we can devote our time to the more challenging cases.”
Health care is becoming more frequent need among 211 callers, Lyall said. Statewide, 21 percent of Oklahomans are without health insurance, well above the national average of 15 percent.
“We experience people calling us who have postponed care and now need help or need care immediately,” Lyall said. “When they call us, they are looking for something right away and end up being referred to university, federal and public clinics.”
Ginnie Graham 581-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com
Mike Averill 581-8489
Mike.Averill@tulsaworld.com |
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