TEEM's Annual Spring Hygiene Drive begins March 12

It's that time of year again! Beginning Monday, March 12, TEEM will be collecting personal hygiene items at the following locations:

Interbank

Comprehensive Dentistry

Allegiance Credit Union (All locations)

Lassiter Drug

Earl's Bricktown

A special thanks to all of this year's community partners!

This years needed items include:

SOAP

LOTION

CHAPSTICK

HAND SANITIZER

SHAVING CREAM

DISPOSABLE RAZORS

DEODARANT (NON-AEROSOL)

SUNSCREEN

COMBS/BRUSHES

FULL SIZE SHAMPOO

FULL SIZE CONDITIONER

FLOSS

TOOTHPASTE

MOUTHWASH

DENTURE CLEANING TABS

TOWELS/WASHCLOTHS

NEW UNDERGARMENTS

FEMALE PRODUCTS

EVERYDAY MEDICINES

Many of our clients do not have access to these items, which are often taken for granted during the summer months. If you are interested in donating any of these items, you may drop them off at any of the participating locations, or just drop them off at TEEM: 14 NE 13 st. OKC, OK 73104.

Our clients at TEEM will be so thankful for your support!

TEEM's 2012 Black History Month Contest Winners visit the Oklahoma State Capitol

Lavetta Dupree (Illustration), Barnard Anderson (Essay), and Cindy McMahon (Poem) were the winners of TEEM's Black History Month contest, and today they enjoyed a guided tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol and honorary luncheon on behalf of Senatory Harry Coates! We all enjoyed the visit and wish these contestants the best of luck as they continue at TEEM!

Testimonial of the week: Jerry Boone

Jerry Boone owned his own janitorial business, and it was rapidly growing and things seemed to be going well. So well, in fact, that he had to work both day and night shifts to keep his customers satisfied. In order to do this, he began taking Caffeine pills, which slowly tumbled out of control until one morning he awoke in a trash can with nothing more than the clothes on his back. He wandered for days trying to figure out who he was and how he had found himself there. He then ran into a man he had helped many years before who helped him in return by allowing him to stay at his home until Jerry figured things out. Through the grapevine he heard of a place called TEEM. He was surprised to find that when he came to TEEM, the staff treated him like a human being. He found a positive and delightful experience in the program at TEEM and learned valuable lessons of self-encouragement, discipline, and the will to never give up. TEEM taught him to skip the platitudes, emerge victorious, and take control of his future. Jerry is now the Director of Facilities and Maintenance at the First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He has worked there for 18 years, and is now attending college to study Business Science.

“As bad as it gets, there is always UP.”

TEEM recognizes its Black History Month contest winners!

The following students were the winners of our Black History Month essay/poem/illustration contest:

LaVetta Dupree

Barnard Anderson

Cindy McMahon

These students will attend a tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol this Wednesday, February 29 and receive an honorary luncheon courtesy of Senator Harry Coates.

We are so proud of all the students who submitted this year!

Testimonial of the week: Michael Ford

Michael Ford grew up under the supervision of his older brothers. He acted out in class and got kicked out of high school during his junior year. Though he was only 17 at the time, he was allowed to come to TEEM. He was skeptical at first, but started listening in the Career Development Workshop, and began to see a turn for the better. He received his GED from TEEM, and continued taking classes here for some time. Following that, unfortunately, he fell back into his old habits. He was not working, homeless, and staying with family. He felt as though he was a burden to his family and ended up sleeping on the streets. When he found himself in this situation, it was then that he ran into TEEM’s administrative director, Michael Jackson, who helped him discover his options. He chose to visit his local Army recruiting office, and in January 2008, he joined the United States Military. He was an active duty member for 4 years and served in Iraq for one year. Now, Michael is attending Rose State University under the G. I. bill, and plans to continue his education at Boston University to study Criminal Law. Eventually, he wants to go to law school. He wants to clean up the streets and help others who may encounter the same challenges that have shaped his life. At TEEM, he learned that if you fall down, you must get back up.

“Never give up. Keep going with what you want to do.”