Sand Springs Office Dedicated To Helping Recovering Tornado Victims

Putting your life back together after losing everything can feel impossible, especially for those who don't have the money to simply start over.

But a new office in Sand Springs hopes to make life a little easier for those who rode out the March 25 tornado.

Tulsa County's Long Term Recovery Services has been helping survivors for months, but workers have had to work out of their cars, until now.

Wednesday was the grand opening for the group's office, which will make getting help, and giving help, less stressful.

Jennifer Easley and her husband Mike are still trying to get back on track after the March 25th tornado.

4/2/2015 Related Story: Owners Say Tornado Closes Riverside Mobile Home Park For Good

“We've got to get some beds; we got to get living room furniture,” Jennifer said. “If it wasn't for God, honey, we wouldn't be here.”

Their mobile home was just one of a few still standing after the storm; but even though the walls hadn't collapsed, their home was totaled.

The couple said they spent five months living in their van with their two dogs.

Then they got hooked up with the Tulsa County Long Term Recovery Center, and their case worker helped them find a duplex to move into.

“Living in your car for five months, you can't be picky,” Jennifer said.

Case workers have been working with survivors since the disaster struck, but there had not been an office for services, until now.

Chairwoman Linda Johnson said, “Your life was altered forever. We are here in the community to work with those families and those individuals that their loss is devastating to them.”

The center helps with everything from new toothbrushes to new beds to new roofs.

“Today we had a lady who had enough insurance to cover everything she needed to replace in her home, except she didn't have enough money to buy new beds for her girls, and so we paid for three beds,” Johnson said.

As a part of the grand opening, a bishop blessed the office space that, survivors said, will undoubtedly be a blessing to them for years to come.

Jennifer Easley said, “I can't thank them enough because anytime I got a question, then they come and answer it.”

The center is being paid for through a grant and will likely be here about a year.

It's open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It's on Adam's Road right next to Ron's Hamburgers.

The assistance is for victims of the March 25th tornado only.

Various non-profits and churches in the area help with the financial side.