TEEM’s Annual Hygiene Drive Offers ‘Fresh Start’ for Disadvantaged Oklahomans
What does starting over look like? Imagine spending years away from family, friends, and society. When you’re finally able to reintegrate back into the community, you’re forced to use your limited resources to choose between your next meal, housing, transportation, and hygiene items. Unfortunately, this is the reality of many individuals returning to Oklahoma communities after a period of incarceration. TEEM’s Annual Hygiene Drive, this year themed A Fresh Start, provides hygiene items to Oklahomans in the process of rebuilding lives. This is your chance to become part of the solution.
“We are taking this year’s drive directly to the people of Oklahoma,” Volunteer Coordinator Haylie Webb said. “In my role as Volunteer Coordinator, I meet so many Oklahomans interested in helping with TEEM’s mission, but time constraints stops many from making a long-term commitment.”
Hygiene packs are a highly sought-after supportive service because most TEEM participants don’t have the resources to purchase hygiene products, which can make securing employment even more difficult. TEEM’s Annual Hygiene Drive allows businesses, churches, and other organizations to play a role in TEEM’s efforts. Donation boxes are placed in various locations around the city allowing community members to collect hygiene items for TEEM participants throughout the summer months. TEEM collected over 5,000 hygiene products through last year’s drive. 100 percent of items received were provided to participants.
“Oklahoma communities participated in record numbers during last year’s hygiene drive,” Executive Director Kris Steele. “Over 5,000 hygiene products were collected and more importantly, individuals impacted by incarceration garnered a renewed faith in the community’s involvement to their growth and restoration.”
More information including a list of items to donate can be found on http://www.teem.org. To request a donation box or for a list of existing drop sites, contact Haylie Webb at hwebb@teem.org or 405-235-5671 x246.
