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Peachtree Landing is providing “hope for the homeless” in Ponca City as Kay County’s only homeless shelter. The mission at Peachtree is people-focused. They assist individuals and families through their temporary emergency shelter. They have been welcoming women, single parents and families into the shelter for 36 years. The goal at Peachtree is for their clients to live independently. They help each client set goals based on their specific needs. Services facilitated through Peachtree include help finding employment and housing, help securing needed paperwork and documentation needed for next steps and help with basic life skills.
Terrie Hill has served as Executive Director for 16 years, following only one other ED, Carmaleta Wesbrook, who served for 20 years. When asked why she does it, Hill says, “For the successful ones that do make it and don’t ever come back, or the ones I see out in the community, and they tell me I changed their life. I have a whiteboard on my door I wrote on, and I’ve never taken it down. It says, ‘See the good. Be the light. Make the difference.’ I think that sums up what we need to try to do here at Peachtree.”
Clients are brought in on a first-come, first-served basis. Folks can always call ahead to see if there is space available. Peachtree does require all clients have a valid picture ID and a Warrant Clearance from the Ponca City Police Department. Intake happens after 4 p.m., 7 days a week. The shelter provides their clients with the comforts of home at no cost; things like a warm bed, access to a kitchen and laundry room, along with food and toiletries. Stays at the shelter are limited to 30 days and clients must be working toward a goal for the duration of their stay. Peachtree does not help clients financially. However, Hill does work closely with several other local, area and state agencies. Based on a client’s needs, she can put them in touch with a sister agency that can help them with issues like finding a job, a more permanent home or any other things that may be hindering a client from making positive progress.
Clients are expected to leave each day and work on fulfilling their goals during their time away from the shelter. They are invited back for dinner, unless they are working. They cannot be absent overnight. Peachtree maintains 10 House Rules clients must be willing to follow. The shelter has four full-time employees so there is someone on-site 24 hours a day.
My Favorite Things is a thrift store that supports Peachtree Landing. The store opened nearly 25 years ago. All profits from the store go back into the shelter and as they say, “At My Favorite Things, every find fuels hope.” After being located on Grand Avenue for many years, the store recently moved next door to the shelter.
Balancing a budget in the nonprofit world is always a challenge, particularly during tough economic times. Peachtree Board and Staff knew a change needed to be made as they watched rent and utilities at their downtown location continue to rise. They made the decision to invest a small amount in rehabbing a space they already owned and have moved the store to that location as of March 1. Board member Scott Flanery spearheaded the remodel project, doing much of the work himself. While the new space is much smaller, it will mean more of what the store brings in will go to the shelter, as opposed to rent and utilities.
With the move to the smaller space, the store has revamped their tagging system to ensure inventory turns over more quickly, with items remaining in stock for 60 days or less. The store has two part-time employees and five others that volunteer on a regular basis to keep things running smoothly. My Favorite Things is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They accept donations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. They do not accept broken items or obsolete electrical machinery.
The Cowboy Ball returned to MLZ Ranch on Friday, May 2, for another unforgettable night of boots, barbecue, and generosity—all in support of Peachtree Landing. For over 20 years, this all-you-can-eat-and-drink fundraiser has been one of Ponca City’s most anticipated events, and this year was no exception. Guests enjoyed live music from the Dirt Road Daredevils, delicious eats from Stagecoach Catering & BBQ, a lively silent auction, and good old-fashioned fun. With only 200 tickets sold each year, the event sold out quickly once again. Sponsors were treated to private tables near the dance floor, personal servers, champagne, and plenty of cowboy-worthy perks.
Fundraising events like the Cowboy Ball are driven by the hardworking members of the Peachtree Landing Board of Directors. Current Board members are President Paul Brown, Vice President Deb Altman, Treasurer Kacey Flanery, Secretary Jane Padgett, Maci Graves, Scott Flanery, Sadie Hainzinger-Fry, Clint Barney, Courtney Hughes, Rachel Stewart and Paige Dunkel. Board terms are three years long with the option to come back on after sitting off for one year. This year, both Paul Brown and Deb Altman will be ending their terms on the Board. If you are interested in giving back to our community, Peachtree would be an excellent place to get started.
For more information about Peachtree Landing, contact the shelter at (580) 762-3208. If you’d like to shop or donate to support the shelter, stop by My Favorite Things at 500 N. 1st Street. For tickets to the Cowboy Ball, contact a Board Member or the Shelter today. Peachtree Landing is funded by an annual allocation from United Way of North Central Oklahoma, individual donations, proceeds from My Favorite Things and fundraisers like the Cowboy Ball. Community support in any form is greatly needed and appreciated to keep the doors open to Kay County’s only homeless shelter.
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