The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) will host the 2021 Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards on April 24, 2021, in Tulsa, with limited attendance. The event will be livestreamed on OKCNP’s website as well. Leading up to the event, we are celebrating the 21 Oklahoma nonprofit finalists in seven categories. Tulsa CARES is a finalist in the Health category.

“Tulsa CARES is honored to be a 2021 ONE Awards finalist,” said Kate Neary, CEO, Tulsa CARES. “It’s humbling to be included among so many worth organizations and causes, and we’re grateful that our impactful work serving low income individuals living with HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) has been recognized. As our agency celebrates its 30th anniversary, this special recognition is certainly appreciated and one to celebrate!”

Founded in 1991, Tulsa CARES delivers specialized wrap-around care for individuals impacted by HIV and Hepatitis C in northeast Oklahoma.Services meet the physical and mental need of 1,200 low income individuals each year.

Programming like care coordination, housing, mental health services, and nutrition help Tulsa CARES address the social determinates of health while reducing cost.

“When I came to Tulsa CARES, I wasn’t sure I was going to live another day,” said one client. “I was in the darkest place in my life and they were my light at the end of the tunnel. I came feeling hopeless, I had no insurance, and was trying to get my son back. Because of Tulsa Cares, I am no longer behind on bills, I have health insurance and I am alive.”

Two years ago, Tulsa CARES added HCV services realizing that the illness is disproportionally concentrated in marginalized communities and that Oklahoma has the second highest disease rate in the country. HCV is now curable when proper care and treatment are in place. Tulsa CARES works to reduce any additional barriers by providing co-pay assistance, transportation assistance and treatment costs if necessary. The nonprofit takes pride in having a reputation of being a safe place to access care without blame, shame or judgement.

To learn more about Tulsa CARES, visit their website: https://www.tulsacares.org/.

The ONE Awards is dedicated to honoring the outstanding work of Oklahoma nonprofits statewide. The ONE Awards also serves as the primary fundraising event for OKCNP. Proceeds from the ONE Awards enable OKCNP to serve communities throughout Oklahoma.

To learn more about the OKCNP ONE Awards or to watch the event, visit: https://www.okcnp.org/page/one-awards.