CREOKS Health Services and the BeHeard Movement have partnered together to help the unhoused population become healthier mentally and physically while reclaiming their stability and sense of self. This is the Anchor Initiative.
In Tulsa and Oklahoma City, the BeHeard Movement operates Oklahoma’s only mobile drop-in centers, which includes a shower trailer, laundry trailer, clothing trailer and a barbershop bus. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) provider in Tulsa, CREOKS integrates its therapists and case managers directly with the BeHeard team. This collaboration enables CREOKS to deliver comprehensive mental health and recovery services, while also providing critical support to unhoused individuals in applying for benefits, securing jobs and housing, navigating legal systems, and accessing essential resources.
CEO of CREOKS Brent Black explained “The Anchor Initiative offers a dignified and welcoming environment where individuals can access a wide array of critical resources designed to foster stability, health and a pathway to self-sufficiency.”
This initiative is especially successful because once someone feels clean, safe and their immediate needs are met, they are better able to focus on life’s next steps. Simply, there is power in a shower.
BeHeard Founder and President Evan Dougoud shared, “When someone finally gets a shower after 90 days, they feel human again. When they feel human, they feel safe enough to open-up. CREOKS then provides connection to resources, along with mental health services and healing begins.”
Building rapport with the unhoused population can be challenging, but through The Anchor Initiative, CREOKS joins BeHeard’s trusted team, enabling them to serve the communities they hope to reach. CREOKS Case Manager Mikayla said, “Sometimes when people come up to our table at BeHeard, they have already heard of us from a friend or family member. They’ll say ‘Oh, you all are CREOKS? I’ve heard of you guys since you helped my friend. Can I sign up too?’”
The Anchor Initiative allows CREOKS to be immediately available to BeHeard clients. Therapists and trained case managers can step in and deescalate crisis situations. CREOKS Case Manager Rebecca Goff shared that a victim of sex trafficking who arrived at BeHeard was in great need and received immediate medical attention. Goff was surprised to see the woman return the next day, stating she had nowhere to go. “She began her sober journey with CREOKS and the BeHeard employees,” Groff said, “With hard work and dedication she is now receiving trauma therapy to help her on her journey of overcoming addiction, trafficking and childhood trauma.”
Together, CREOKS and BeHeard are closing critical service gaps. By combining innovation with wraparound care mobile showers and mental health support, The Anchor Initiative creates pathways to wholeness.