TULSA – Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) leaders and Muscogee (Creek) Nation representatives cut the ribbon on the new Walker Hall redevelopment on Wednesday, June 17. Walker Hall will now be used for housing and supporting services for Native American Youth ages 16-18 years old in the Tribal juvenile justice system.
The MHAOK facility has provided housing and recovery services for adults and youth since 1991. It is now funded in part by the MCN and the Sanford and Irene Bernstein Family Foundation. According to MHAOK Chief Programs Officer Mark Davis (Mvskoke), the redeveloped facility will provide services on education, life skills, and a pathway toward independent living. He described the partnership between MHAOK and the Tribe as an “investment in the next generation.”
The four-phase program provides 24/7 staff at Walker Hall. Residents are required to finish school and commit to a work program. MHAOK case managers are available for students and help them with every step of the process. The goal of the program is to help youth stay in school, develop a career path, and live independently.
“This new chapter is made possible through an extraordinary partnership between the Mental Health Association Oklahoma and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Together, we have united our strengths, resources, and our shared values to create something truly meaningful for Native youth and their families.” – Mark Davis
MCN Tribal Juvenile Justice Interim Director Texanna James remarked that this program will give at-risk Native youth a fresh start. The purpose is to make the youth self-sufficient so that they can live independently. According to James, some had no other family members to take them in.
“We’re not about punishment, we’re not about locking them up and warehousing them, we’re about actually giving them the tools and resources that they can make better decisions and become better members of society,” James said.
MHAOK CEO Carrie Blumert said MHAOK worked closely with the MCN to design the program. The partnership ensures that youth learn life skills they can take with them into young adulthood. Additionally, each resident also has access to mental health services.
According to Blumert, when youth go through the juvenile justice system, they typically have one of two options: detention or going home with a family member.
Walker Hall provides a third option. That option is intended for youth who do not need detention, but who may not have any other stable living arrangements either.
“In the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Youth Tribal Juvenile Justice System, that was the highest need of the youth,” Blumert said. “It’s not appropriate for you to go to detention, but it’s also not appropriate for you to go home. We need to provide you with some type of environment so that you don’t reoffend or you don’t go back to the same crowd.”
That third option provides youth with more than just a bed- it provides them with a path out of the Tribal juvenile justice system. Blumert elaborated that detention is oftentimes just a holding place that perpetuates the problem.
Mvskoke culture has a strong presence in Walker Hall.
“Muscogee (Creek) Nation principles, imagery, ideals, were really woven into the development of the program,” Blumert said. “We know that when youth, and really adults, are connected to their culture and are connected to where they come from and community, they are much more successful to become independent and live a life they’re proud of.”
MHAOK provides accessible housing services for Oklahomans experiencing homelessness, mental illness or substance abuse disorders. Their Tulsa office can be contacted at 918-585-1213 or at info@mhaok.org. To learn more about MHAOK services, visit mhaok.org.
