Serving Families: A Deep Dive into the Tulsa Dream Center’s Six Pillars of Support

The Tulsa Dream Center is a force for transformation in the community, dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty, fostering healing and creating a brighter future. Through its comprehensive services, the Dream Center ensures families can access essential needs such as food, healthcare and educational opportunities. In a conversation with Executive Director Tim Newton and Family Support Specialist Syreeta Burrell, I learned about the core values and programs driving this mission forward.

The Six Pillars of the Tulsa Dream Center

The Dream Center’s impact is built on six key pillars: food, clothing, medical, education, recreation and housing. Each of these pillars addresses a specific area of need, helping to create a holistic approach to community support. These pillars work together for children and families within the Tulsa community.

1. Food Security

At the heart of the Dream Center’s services is ensuring no family goes hungry. The center provides hot meals for children and adults, after-school meals for kids, and dinner for teens twice weekly. Tim Newton shared how Chick-fil-A has stepped in to donate food, affectionately referred to as “Jesus chicken,” allowing the Dream Center to serve between 40 to 100 young people across both campuses each night.

In addition to hot meals, the Dream Center offers a grocery giveaway twice a week at its North and West campuses, ensuring families in need can access the necessary food staples. Newton emphasized that the Dream Center’s philosophy is to serve based on the community’s needs, responding with empathy and practical solutions.

2. Clothing Support

Access to clothing is another critical need that the Dream Center addresses. Families can visit the center’s clothing room to select essential items for free. This service is available several days a week, ensuring families have consistent access to the clothes they need for work, school and everyday life. Much like their other services, clothing support is tailored to meet the immediate needs of those seeking assistance.

3. Medical Services

The Dream Center’s medical clinic is a lifeline for families without health insurance. Open Monday through Thursday at the North campus, with expanded days planned for the West campus, the clinic provides essential medical care to those who otherwise might not have access. The Dream Center partners with programs like FreshRx to help families manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, by prescribing healthy food instead of medication.

The medical program’s emphasis on preventative care has significantly impacted the community, with patients reporting improved health outcomes as they embrace healthier lifestyles.

4. Education and After-School Programs

Education is a cornerstone of the Dream Center’s mission. Their after-school program serves 300 to 500 children daily, providing them with academic support, tutoring and enrichment activities. Newton explained how the program started with simple homework help and became a comprehensive educational service. Today, the Dream Center focuses heavily on literacy, particularly for pre-K through third-grade students, to ensure they have the reading skills necessary for academic success.

In addition to traditional academics, the Dream Center offers a variety of enrichment activities, including coding, 3D printing, cooking, dance and even swim lessons. These programs help children develop essential skills and give them a safe space for fun and to explore new interests.

5. Recreation

Recreation is vital to the Dream Center’s mission to promote health and well-being. The center offers a wide range of youth sports activities, including basketball, soccer and flag football leagues. Soccer has grown significantly in popularity, especially among the Hispanic community.

For younger children, recreational activities are combined with educational support, creating a holistic approach that emphasizes physical health and academic growth. The Dream Center helps children build confidence, teamwork skills and a sense of belonging by providing these outlets.

6. Housing and Community Support

The housing component of the Dream Center’s services addresses both emergency needs and long-term community development. Through programs like Adopt the Block, the Dream Center engages in community cleanups, home repairs and elder care. Newton described how these efforts are designed to help families stay in their homes safely, especially as many seniors in the community “age in place.”

Additionally, the Safe and Secure program helps homeless or at-risk youth aged 16 to 24 by providing housing support and preventing homelessness. One particularly poignant story Newton shared was about a young man whose car broke down while trying to get to work. The Dream Center stepped in to help fix his car, ensuring he could keep his job and remain in his home.

A Personal Journey: Syreeta Burrell’s Story

Family Support Specialist Syreeta Burrell’s connection to the Dream Center runs deep. Before she became an employee, she was a recipient of the center’s services, coming to the Dream Center for chapel and groceries. Burrell expressed how the care and love she received during that time changed her life. She now takes pride in being able to give back to the community in the same way.

“It’s the reward I get every day,” Burrell shared. “You know how people feel when they get Grammys? That’s how I feel every day when I come here.” Her story is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact the Dream Center can have, not just on those it serves but on those who serve it as well.

The Dream Center’s Legacy of Hope

The Dream Center’s consistent and compassionate approach has made it a cornerstone of the Tulsa community. Tim Newton and Syreeta Burrell emphasized that the Dream Center isn’t just about meeting basic needs—it’s about doing life with the community, building trust and offering hope.

For families in need, the Dream Center is not just a service provider; it’s a partner in their journey toward stability and success. By addressing immediate needs while fostering long-term growth, the Tulsa Dream Center is changing lives and, in turn, helping to transform the entire community.

Dr. Tamecca Rogers serves as Director of Student Access and Success at Tulsa Technology Center. An award-winning author and filmmaker, she is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all her endeavors. Photo by Denice Toombs-Dotson with Lasting Impressions Photography.