‘She Saved My Life’: Tulsa Nonprofit Helps Homeless Man Get Back On His Feet

A 68-year-old man who had been living on the streets for years is in his own apartment and back on his feet again, thanks to a Tulsa organization.

"I thought I was going to die out there. Man, I am not lying- I thought I was going to die. She saved my life," said 68-year-old Gregory Evans. 

"What does it feel like to have your own space?" said News On 6 Reporter Sawyer Buccy. 

"I mean, it is fantastic!" said Evans. 

Evans is an Army Veteran. He is 68 years old, and this is his first apartment in years. He met his Mental Health Case Manager, Haley Taylor, while he was living on the streets.

"I told her I was going to die, and I meant it. I said, 'Hey, I can't take this anymore.' I am almost 70 years old, and I have all these medical conditions, I have had strokes, seizures, and diabetes," said Evans. "Not everybody uses drugs and not everybody drinks. There are many people like me who are homeless simply because they don't have the money to afford rent."

They worked together for months until March 12, when Evans got the keys to his own apartment.

"It is the most rewarding feeling knowing that a client that you have worked with and got housed, you can literally come to their house, pick up the phone and call them and they answer, and you know they are alive," said Taylor. 

Evans is getting used to his new space and Taylor is helping him figure his new life out. It seems his new reality was just starting to set in.

"As you can see, I buy things for the apartment here, stuff to sweep and mop and clean to keep myself going. Food- you know I have some food in the refrigerator," said Evans.

"We provide services from really at the beginning of someone experiencing homelessness until we can get them housed but also, we provide services after we get them housed," said Tulsa Day Center Executive Director, Mack Haltom. "We are their safety net. A lot of times people lose relationships with their families and other support services and we become their support."

This is what the Tulsa Day Center does, they work the hours they do for stories like Evans’. 

"Am I proud?" said Evans. 

Of yourself," said Buccy.

Evans leaned his head back, started laughing and said, "Proud or just plain happy!?"

If you would like to support the Tulsa Day Center, visit their website here.