Charity wish lists: Give to these Tulsa-area nonprofits to make a difference this holiday season – Tulsa World

At Just the Beginning, there is a sisterhood of the counted out, the cast aside and the hopeful.

The nonprofit for justice-involved women is a tight-knit family, and sometimes its the closest thing to a family its clients have. President and CEO Jenice Jones said though funding limits how many people the organization can help, it takes that kind of atmosphere to affect a change in someones life.

Our goal in our heart from the beginning is for women to come onboard who want a lifestyle of rehabilitation, Jones said. Not just a one-time moment or event to get through a process, but a lifetime.

In that, weve seen family restored, children restored to their moms, marriages restored ... We have had almost 100 women who have been served directly and over 1,000 served indirectly.

Just the Beginning is only one of many local nonprofits that needs help serving people in need. As the holiday season approaches, the Tulsa World is bringing readers a list that offers guidance for people looking for specific charitable opportunities in the coming weeks.

Although a Christ-centered organization, Just the Beginning accepts anyone who wants to change their lives for the better. The organization is in the Tulsa County jail every week and also goes to Oklahoma Department of Corrections facilities.

At weekly empowerment classes like one held this past Thursday night, participants gather to the sound of gospel music and for the chance to talk about whats happened the previous week and whats to come. Thursdays question of the week dealt with the most dominant pitfall thought from the week before.

Jones focused on the holidays for the meeting, a time with plenty of opportunities for progress on recovery to slip. The class even planned a conference call on Thanksgiving morning for participants to touch base in place of the regular empowerment meeting.

Built around its four pillars of healing, employment, advocacy and learning to give back, Just the Beginning is in many ways not about correction, but rather enlightenment. Theres also an element of discipleship, with graduates frequently returning to the program to help the next participants.

Just the Beginning spends time life mapping, going back through a womans life to identify the roots of where problems began. Jones doesnt evaluate clients by their charge, in part because she said in order for the system to work, the women at Just the Beginning have to recognize what happened before the court system.

Were trying to identify where did it all take place to where she became overwhelmed and decided to handle whatevers going on in her life with a substance, a man, an act, Jones said. Was it passed down? Is it generational? We dont know those things until we ask the questions.

So in reality, we dont look at the court case. We look at the individual when we interview.

Maria Morris issues with substance abuse began after the loss of her father to Alzheimers disease, and would later return with a vengeance after her 22-month-old daughter, Carabelle, died in a house fire.

There were months of homelessness, living on the streets and finally 10 months in the Tulsa County jail before being adjudicated to Just the Beginning on Aug. 16. Another program passed on Morris, and until she began at Just the Beginning, it appeared she would be written off.

I just told myself this is a sign, Morris said. This is Gods way of saying this is your second chance. ... Its just been so encouraging, so empowering and so thorough.

It helps all those deep-seated problems you dont even know you have. Its very personal, like a family.

Good breaks came one after another for Morris, most recently accepting a promotion to become a barista at Legacy Plazas new coffee shop. Morris learned more about herself, about having a healthy life and living one without limits.

Its just shown me that I can still do anything, Morris said. Im just really grateful; its definitely made me more of that. I know it didnt have to be this way, I didnt have to be here today.

I just cant put it in words. When you get that second chance when everybody else says no and one person says yes, it just breaks chains.

At the end of the day, Just the Beginnings mission is turning women considered liabilities into valued assets of the community. It takes time, and some need more help than others, but Jones said theres nothing better than seeing it happen.

Its seeing her get it, Jones said. Its not about the case. Its about your future transformation.

When she gets it, the whole world is in for a wonderful experience.

Here is how you can help Just the Beginning and some other area nonprofits this holiday season:

5330 E. 31st St., Lower Level

Who they are: Christ-centered organization empowering justice-involved women towards self-sufficiency, esteem and wholeness

What they need: winter hats, scarves and gloves; shampoos and conditioners; toothbrushes and toothpaste; body wash, deodorant and lotion; toilet paper; sanitary napkins; socks, and face towels

Who they are: Nonprofit open-access hot shop and kiln studio offering unique experiences for anyone interested in glass art

What they need: Wall Street Journal newspapers; equipment for free program serving veterans, such as blowpipes, punties, wood paddles, Kevlar mitts, shaping blocks and color frit; painters blue tape, paper towels, AA and AAA batteries; Swiffer dusters

Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma

Who they are: Organization restoring dignity and helping build better lives through behavioral health and substance abuse services to all ages regardless of their ability to pay

What they need: Adopt a child/family through a Holiday Giving Program and provide items from their wish lists; frozen turkeys; toys, books and games for children of all ages; family household essentials such as towels, sheets & toiletries; monetary gifts; grocery cards

Family & Childrens Services

Who they are: Agency helping families in crisis and serves people struggling with mental illness, addiction and homelessness

What they need: toys, books and games for children of all ages; clothing such as coats, pajamas, hats, underwear, gloves and socks; small household appliances; toiletries; monetary gifts; grocery cards

Who they are: Nonprofit serving 64 boys, ages 11-18, with serious emotional, behavioral and/or drug problems requiring long-term placement out of the home in a structured, therapeutic environment

What they need: white T-shirts (mens sizes S-XL); pillows, sheets and comforters (twin size); black belts (mens sizes 30-42); black ankle socks; hygiene products (shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste)

Owasso Community Resources

Who they are: Helping organization providing basic-needs emergency assistance to more than 7,000 financially disadvantaged individuals in Owasso, Collinsville and Sperry

What they need: monetary donations; hot and cold cereal, soups, chili, mac and cheese, peanut butter; hygiene items (toothbrushes, tooth paste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products) and diapers. Major wish: Cargo van to transport food for distribution

The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges

Who they are: Nonprofit providing organized social, cultural and recreational opportunities for people with physical disabilities.

What they need: athletic equipment; basketballs; monetary donations; kitchen utensils; arts and crafts supplies; individually wrapped food items; hygiene items; winter gloves, hats, scarves,socks; retail gift cards

Who they are: Agency assisting people with disabilities in attaining and maintaining their personal independence through advocacy, education and service

What they need: vacuum, computer, large lift chair (400-pound capacity), small dining table and two chairs

Who they are: Soup kitchen and food pantry

What they need: paper grocery bags; canned chicken and tuna, peanut butter, pasta and rice for the pantry; granola bars, fruit cups, 100% juice boxes, fruit snacks for the kids packs; and financial contributions for the daily community meal

Who they are: Agency providing help, resources and legal assistance for victims of domestic violence

What they need: toothpaste and toothbrushes, hair combs and brushes, tissues, shampoo, soap, feminine products, deodorant, lotion, shaving cream, razors, adult diapers, sanitizer, baby wipes and diapers, plastic/disposable gloves, dry and canned food items, cloth or heavy-duty tote bags for emergency supplies/clothing

315 W. College St., Broken Arrow

Who they are: Interfaith organization providing basic-needs emergency assistance to more than 13,000 financially disadvantaged people in the Broken Arrow area.

What they need: box meals, Manwich, canned stew, hot and cold cereal, soups, instant potatoes, chili, mac and cheese, juice (plastic containers), pasta and sauce, toothbrushes (adult and children), toothpaste, deodorant

6600 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1307

Who they are: Pregnancy resource center for low-income families. It has operated in Tulsa for more than 45 years.

What they need: diapers, especially the larger sizes 4, 5, 6; diaper wipes; baby clothing up to toddler two size, maternity clothing; blankets for babies; small baby or mother accessories and practical items (not furniture or car seats); sturdy baby books and classic baby toys; lotions, creams and shampoo for baby; diaper bags; gift cards

Who they are: Christian-based organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with special needs, their families and their communities.

What they need: computers (contact for specifics), therapy equipment (contact for specifics), Walmart gift cards for hosting guests, Amazon gift cards for office supplies, paper towels

Who they are: Charity providing a loving home and 24/7 care for dying people in need

What they need: individual puddings, individual chips and cracker snacks, Ritz crackers, saltine crackers, laundry soap, soft soap hand soap, Pine-Sol, 13-gallon trash bags, 39-gallon lawn trash bags, adult size hygiene wipes, flavored tea bags and flavored coffee creamers

Emergency Infant Services

Who they are: Organization providing assistance for families with children under the age of five

What they need: new or used car seats, strollers, books, coats, volunteers, toys for children five and under, baby blankets, monetary donations

Mend Pregnancy Resource Center

6216 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 100

Who they are: Organization providing pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound, pregnancy options information, education and support programs for moms of children 3 and younger

What they need: childrens clothes both girls and boys from newborn to 3T and shoes, nursing shawls, baby carriers (sling style), diaper bags, new nursing supplies, new washcloths and towels, toiletries for babies (baby wash, lotions, and shampoos), digital thermometers, sippy cups, pacifiers, crib sheets, Boppy covers for pillows, lanolin, cribs, new crib mattresses, high chairs, car seats, car seat tents

Who they are: Organization giving help, hope and comfort to families of seriously ill or injured children.

What they need: individual juice, fruit drinks, individual chips, snacks, canned fruit and vegetables, fresh fruit and vegetables, breakfast cereal, frozen entrees, heavy-duty paper plates, paper bowls, trash bags (33- and 39-gallon sizes), storage containers, all-purpose cleaner, detergent, dryer sheets, sponges, cleanup wipes, mattress pads (queen and twin), white sheet sets, pillows, towels, toiletries, hygiene items, gift cards, toys, stuffed animals

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Charity wish lists: Give to these Tulsa-area nonprofits to make a difference this holiday season - Tulsa World