DaySpring Villa is one of only two domestic violence shelters in Tulsa and the only faith-based, certified domestic violence shelter in Oklahoma. We are also the first shelter certified by the Oklahoma Attorney General's office to address the special needs of adult victims of sexual trafficking.
Forget everything you've imagined that a women's shelter looks like. DaySpring Villa is alive with positive reinforcement, kind smiles, and a higher calling to transform the lives of abused and trafficked women. We know that transformation is possible, because we see it in the eyes of our guests every day.
DaySpring Villa offers a unique, secure environment that emphasizes spiritual guidance along with physical and emotional healing. We refer to the women and children who come to DaySpring Villa as our guests, and for as long they need, our house is their home. We recognize that each guest's situation is different, and as such we extend personal support, respect and genuine care to each of them.
"I am able to see a future"
Victims of sexual trafficking require longer term, specialized care to overcome the horrors of sexual slavery. Through DSV's Project Dark 2 Light, we can provide the professional staff and separate accommodations to help these women discover lives of purpose that finally set them free.
"I feel like I am fine on my own.
I don't need a man."
Our goals-based programs in the areas of continuing education, job placement and training, parenting and independent living, are DaySpring Villa's tools for empowerment recovery, so women can begin their lives anew. Our guests may extend their residency with us as long as they actively work toward achieving their individual goals and follow the shelter's rules. We also require our guests to participate in housekeeping duties that benefit everyone. Transportation is available for job interviews, apartment hunting, and medical or court appointments. DaySpring Villa's Bible studies and worship services are vital components to the spiritual and emotional development of each guest in their quest for a healthy, fulfilling life.
Our Guests
Though the circumstances of our guests are all different, their common bond is starting the challenging journey to freedom. DaySpring Villa works with every woman, one-on-one, to help them learn how to make better choices that end the cycle of abuse or avoid the traps that lure them into sexual trafficking.
Survivors of domestic violence and sexual slavery are not limited to one face. These women cross every racial, ethnic, age group and socioeconomic background. They come to us broken and defeated, uncertain of their future, and scared to share their experiences. They leave independent and self-sufficient, ready to start their lives anew with the knowledge and enlightenment that they have purpose.
"I get more sleep through the night. It helps me focus on my goals so I can achieve them."
The first step to a life free of abuse or exploitation is always the hardest. It's one reason DaySpring Villa doesn't limit the time a guest is given to stay with us. We know that in cases of battered women, they are most likely to return to their abuser again and again – sometimes seven to 14 times – before they realize he will never change.
Every woman we receive at DaySpring Villa is considered a guest of our shelter, and as such, she is shown the same respect and kindness that any host would demonstrate. Upon intake, our guests are given a clean, neatly appointed room with a basket of amenities that include a brush, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, bath soap, and other hygienic necessities.
They also are given an ALOHA bracelet. In Hawaii, the word aloha means both hello and goodbye. At DaySpring Villa, ALOHA stands for A Life of Hope Ahead – a time to say "hello" to a future of hope, peace and rest, and a time to say "goodbye" to the past. We give every woman who arrives at DaySpring Villa an ALOHA bracelet to remind her of God's promise as written in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV):
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Our Facility
DaySpring Villa is confidentially located with secure access for our guests and their children. We offer 17 guest rooms that are cheerfully decorated and neatly furnished with beds, dressers, nightstands and infant furnishings. Guests and their children are provided with all basic necessities, including hygiene products, clothing and food. Our facility is equipped with a large kitchen and dining room, TV room, library, snack center, child recreation room, outdoor play area, and donation rooms filled with toys, clothing and basic household items.
Our Staff
The staff at DaySpring Villa is comprised of professionals whose jobs are to assist our guests with their transition to an independent life. Our case workers work one-on-one with our guests to set life goals and with guests' children to develop safety plans in the event the mother returns to her abuser. Our volunteers work tirelessly to support our staff, guests and operations, and help fortify our organization with open minds and kind hearts.
Our History
In 1980, The Baptist Women's Shelter opened as the only domestic violence shelter in Tulsa, operating out of an old church building downtown and housing more than 7,000 women and children over 14 years. Back then we had the capacity to house only 25 women and children at any one time. The need, however, soon outweighed our resources.
In January 1995, preparations were made to move what is now known as DaySpring Villa to a new, larger location west of downtown Tulsa. A team of volunteers renovated the building and donated furniture and appliances to address the growing population of battered women and their children in Oklahoma.
DaySpring Villa received its certification as a domestic violence shelter in June 1995 from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Now certified by the Oklahoma Attorney General, the organization seeks recertification every three years as required by law.
In April 2012, DaySpring Villa was certified by the Oklahoma Attorney General's office to address the needs of adult victims of sexual trafficking, making us the first certified shelter to offer refuge and services to these victims.
Vision Statement
DaySpring Villa will continue to be the model for providing shelter, comprehensive services, goals-based programs, and unbiased care in a protective, faith-based environment to transform the lives of battered women and their children and adult sexual trafficking victims.
Through communications, public relations and timely news distribution, we will create a higher awareness of domestic violence and sexual trafficking in cities, towns and communities throughout Oklahoma and among our youth population to end the cycle of violence early and decrease the potential for victims of domestic violence and sexual trafficking.
We will work tirelessly to become the official voice of battered and sexually trafficked women and children by communicating the positive impact of our organization throughout the state of Oklahoma.