Shelterwell fosters a spirit of connected community, centered on the belief that housing is a human right.
WE CONNECT:
We help tenants and landlords negotiate disagreements and create a framework for future communication through mediation, both before and after an eviction is filed.
WE EDUCATE:
Through LiveSteady, our tenant education program, and our Landlord Enrichment Program, we help tenants and landlords better understand their rights and responsibilities and how to communicate with each other.
WE SHARE:
We share eviction data and insights to raise community awareness on housing stability issues in Oklahoma.
Our History
In 2020, Community Cares Partners (CCP) was born out of the pandemic and the desire of private funders and local government to use funds to assist people facing eviction. Two and a half years later, CCP had paid rent and utility assistance of over $334,000,000 for more than 83,000 households across the state of Oklahoma.
Of the many lessons learned, the need for housing stability – services beyond monetary assistance – was one of the most obvious when viewed through the lens of scale at which CCP operated. The needs of low-income tenants are many. Supportive services, including education, legal reforms, outreach, communication services, and referrals for other needs were some of the missing links.
Answering the call of “Now what?” with CCP coming to a close, a small team from CCP came together to explore possibilities, partnerships, and programs that would be easy entry points for tenants and a way to change the narrative for families living on the edge with eviction one step, one day, one paycheck away. Shelterwell was born in 2023.
Our Values
INTENTION
We approach all that we do with the belief that housing is a human right, and with the deep understanding that “without stable shelter, everything else falls apart.” This desire for positive change and lasting reform guides our decisions and actions, while the belief in the dignity and worth of everyone guides our interactions with the community and with each other.
Integration
Creating lasting change takes time. To prepare us for our journey, we must be wholehearted individuals – we value rest and play, we intentionally seek out moments of calm and stillness, and we cultivate gratitude and joy. We are creative, resilient and trust our intuition.
Connection
We are solution-oriented connectors of resources, information, and ideas, believing that families and communities are strengthened when the risk of housing instability is diminished. Through data collection and storytelling, we act as the electric spark, charging others to take up the fight for housing justice.
Presence
We show up for our community and for each other. We bring our whole selves to work each day and are present in mind, body, and spirit. By stepping into our own space and values, we are then able to encourage our clients to do the same.