‘They Look Through You’: Tulsa School Board Member Spends 4 Days Living On Streets

A Tulsa Public Schools board member spent four days living on the streets as a way to raise awareness about student homelessness.

He dressed in tattered clothes, brought only a sleeping bag and a few belongings, and immersed himself in this experience to try to understand what homeless people go through.

Tulsa Public Schools board member Jerry Griffin started this experiment on Friday morning, wearing a tracker so News On 6 could find him.

"People cussed at me and swerved at me," said Griffin.

On that first day, News On 6 found Griffin near the University of Tulsa where campus police were checking on him. He said he paid for his first meal from $5 someone gave him.

"That allowed me to eat which made me feel much better," Griffin said.

On Saturday, News On 6 caught up with Griffin after a night of sleeping outside.

"My night was the worst night of my life; it was freezing cold," said Griffin.

He said one bright spot was someone preaching and giving him $100 which he gave most of to other people who were homeless. That afternoon, Griffin took the bus to downtown homeless shelters where he spent the night.

He said on Sunday, he went to church.

"The doorman there was the nicest person; he was the only person that treated me like a human being," he said.

Griffin said he's doing this because it's estimated that more than 500 students in Tulsa Public Schools experience some level of homelessness. He said this issue is much bigger than a school or a district - it will take the entire community to treat homeless people like human beings and show kindness.

"I'm raising awareness, and it's other people's time to step in," said Griffin.

Griffin unveiled his undercover experiment at Monday night's board meeting. He said the goal is to start a conversation about how the community can tackle this together.

Dr. Griffin said he has been asked by homeless organizations like John 3:16 to share his experience. He said he'll be volunteering as much as he can and invites others to do the same.