History and Purpose of DaySpring Villa
The primary goal of DaySpring Villa is to provide physical, emotional, Christ-like care to enable women and children to live God-honoring lives.
The Baptist Women's Shelter Foundation was first organized in February 1980 under the auspices of the Tulsa Baptist Association, currently known as the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association. The purpose from the beginning was to provide safe, temporary housing for homeless women and their children. For 15 years, the Baptist Women's Shelter Foundation provided shelter to 7,000 women and children at its downtown location.
In 1995 the vision expanded, and the ministry was relocated to 4-1/2 wooded acres five miles west of downtown Tulsa. A one-story 30,000 square foot facility was purchased and renovated by the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association, and a new name was given to the ministry. DaySpring Villa is a dream and a prayer come true with capability of housing over 65 residents. Thus far, DaySpring Villa has provided housing for nearly 4,000 women and children.
Yet relocation was only part of the dream. From the beginning, the vision included a separate adolescent program for pregnant and parenting teenage girls. In June of 2002 the dream was realized when DaySpring received its license from the State of Oklahoma to operate a residential childcare facility and accepted its first pregnant teenage girl.
Our guests come from every walk of life. They are Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, Native American, Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern. Some have come from wealth, others from extreme poverty, and many from in between. Some guests have college degrees while a few are illiterate. Many are young, yet others are old. Some have children, however, others do not. Some have family near by and others are without close friends or relatives.
Most of our guests come from the Tulsa Metropolitan area or northeastern Oklahoma, but sometimes they come from other states, seeking to relocate. Their reasons for coming are varied. Some come because of abuse by a mate or relative. Some have been evicted from their house or apartment. Others are simply out of a job and have nowhere to go.
Whatever their circumstance, all come with one thing in common--they need shelter. At DaySpring Villa, their immediate need is met through the generosity of individuals, businesses, churches and civic organizations who financially support its many programs. A caring staff and dedicated volunteers, likewise, give of their time to meet needs that go beyond immediate food and shelter. Counseling, social services and spiritual guidance is an important part of DaySpring's ministry.
DaySpring Villa is committed to helping women and their children. It is a ministry that provides for the homeless, but more importantly, it provides eternal answers to life's most important issues.