Owasso Community Resources (OCR) provides a number of basic needs assistance programs to the communities of Owasso, Collinsville, Oklahoma. OCR began in 1994 through a Tulsa Area United Way (TAUW) venture grant. Our goal was to mobilize volunteer efforts in the city of Owasso to improve the present social service delivery system. For the first time, residents had a place to use their talents and donate their time. Local agencies had a central volunteer resource. In 1995, our services expanded to include collaboration with a local business to found the “Giving Tree”, a program which provides Holiday gifts to the most disadvantaged children in our serving area.
By 2001, we had become the centralized referral agency for Owasso. Over 2,000 referrals took place in 2001 leading the agency to seek a TAUW Venture Grant. The organization became a Tulsa Area United Way partner agency in 1998 and has become the primary social service provider and referral agency for Owasso and Collinsville residents. OCR has many years of success working in unison with civic, social and faith-based organizations promoting community service, self-sufficiency and TAUW agency awareness.
Owasso Community Resources works with many families, individuals, and disabled adults primarily through a year-round food pantry, emergency utility assistance and counseling services through partnerships with other non-profit organizations to assist children, youth, adults, couples, and victims of domestic violence. In addition, OCR offers annual projects to assist families during situations that demand additional financial expenditures such as Back to School Supplies and Holiday Assistance programs.
OCR added an emergency rent assistance program to help families prevent eviction and therefore temporary homelessness. We work with families to help them get back on track with their finances and provide a portion of one month’s rent.
OCR’s ultimate goal is to work with families in our community experiencing financial hardship and situational crises to help them build on their personal assets and rebuild their strength and hope, ultimately helping them reach self-sufficiency.