The mandate of the Bivouac is to End Veterans Homelessness in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by providing temporary assisted housing to veterans currently on the streets of our city. Statistics show that there are a minimum of 400 military veterans currently homeless on our streets for many reasons. In the majority of cases we have experienced, individuals living on the streets are not able to access the myriad resources available to them. It is the firm commitment of our organization to deliberately connect these Tulsa residents to available veterans’ support services and help them successfully transition into permanent housing in civilian life.
Mission for the Homefront:
Background:
Veterans, especially combat vets, are a unique demographic of people, who have faced life challenges that civilians in most cases know nothing about. They are disciplined, mission oriented, and in many cases, broken in ways that only other veterans understand. Research shows that there are 400 permanent housing units currently already available here in Tulsa, graciously provided by Housing solutions (the way back home) and mental health. (there are also 400 homeless veterans) but shelf life on placing a homeless vet directly into permanent housing is 30-60 days (Dr. Michael Horner, Director, https://coffeebunker.org/)
It is the directive of The Bivouac to provide temporary housing with life skill counselling to help our wounded warriors successfully move forward into productive and secure lives.
This is our plan to accomplish this mission:
- Purchase land and install a ‘cottage home’ community. This will be a total of 21 units, that are 12’x28’ od, 12’x24’living space (288 sf). Each unit will be furnished, and require very little maintenance.
- As architecture and engineering has been accomplished on this, we are working within the zoning and permitting constraints of the City of Tulsa and DEQ, and have located a property that will work.
- Currently, I am compiling construction estimates for the total project, and seeking to accurately fund program costs.
- I will again submit our AHP funding proposal for 2026 as soon as the funding window opens again in June.
- Assuming funding is allocated, we will complete the land purchase and begin site preparation January 2017. It is expected that site prep be completed by March 31st, 2027, installing concrete foundations, water, sewar, and electric during this time.
- Cabins begin delivery April 1st/2027, with all 21 installed by July 1st 2027.
- We begin interviewing staff and training new employees, April and May 2027.
- We plan our grand opening, and intake of our first residents beginning July 1st.2027.
- We expect to be running full capacity by September 2027.
Program overview:
Mission for the Homefront
Recon Team (Community Outreach) – We are raising up a group of veterans that go in to the homeless encampments, homeless shelters and ‘The Coffee Bunker’ to locate and recruit veterans to come live in our facility.
Every veteran understands the importance of mission accomplishment. Our mission is to facilitate veterans helping other veterans to successfully navigate the transition from military to civilian life. Training will be given on financial literacy, life skills, medical health and wellness, and any other resource required to help our warriors transition into permanent housing. Battle buddy support networks are encouraged and set up intentionally, so that residents understand that they are no longer alone in life’s fight. In the midnight hour, when the demons come, call me brother, and I will come fight them with you. Having these peer relationships with other veterans that understand and walk with each other is a key component of mission accomplishment. Along the way, educational and employment opportunities are offered, knowing that as people see something worth living for, this produces better mental health. Residents will be provided breakfast each morning, during which time, various veteran support service organizations shall attend to present various resources. Each week, case managers will meet with a case load of 10 residents, and ask simple questions like: ‘Last week we had Dr. Bob on Monday, Susie the PTSD counsellor on Tuesday, Pastor Joe from Victorious Life ministries on Wednesday, Pete and Connie, from Victory for Veterans, then Shep from Eagle Ops. Did anything presented to you resonate with you? Would you like me to reach out and get you scheduled for the fishing trip, or with Dr. Bob, or over back at Va with Susie?
Each week this is documented and emailed to the facility director, who keeps case files in a secure location.
There is an 800 sf apartment above the garage that will be used for an on – site security guard, who will monitor on site cameras, and keep both our residents and community safe from any potential or active criminals, including drug dealers, vandals or thieves.
Each morning at 0600 our cook and kitchen manager will arrive and prepare breakfast to be served at 0800.
Throughout the day, various activities will be offered, ranging from PT, to pecan picking from the 17 acre adjoining pecan orchard, Perhaps even a bow hunting class to harvest one of the large deer population living on Bird Creek. Once every week will be an ongoing budgeting and financial literacy program, that every resident must complete. Leases for each cabin will be 3 months in duration, to be renewed not more than 6 times for a maximum 18 months residency. There shall be an honor ceremony for every resident who moves in to permanent housing, with ongoing intentional follow up planned for the 12 months after leaving our community. It is hoped that the relationships and friendships developed between our residents shall last for life.
Required program staff:
Program Director
Security Guard
Case Managers
Property Maintenance and Groundskeeper
Cook and Kitchen staff
While many projects might be accomplished with volunteers, these key positions need to be occupied with paid staff for program excellence and consistent delivery of service to our warriors.