Francetta Mayes’ Vernon AME Church in Deep Greenwood is a diamond in a desert.
“We’re just now starting the rebirth of what Greenwood should be,” Mayes said.
Deep Greenwood is on the outskirts of downtown, stretching just beyond the IDL. Resources for the homeless, like the Day Center, and John 3:16 Mission are a long walk away. Vernon AME is the only place in Deep Greenwood serving unhoused Tulsans daily. People stop in the church for a free meal every day.
“The congregation here is about 50 plus members, however, you’ve got a handful of them, along with Boston Avenue, and other churches, that come together, and make this happen,” Mayes said.
Just down the road from the church is the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. Its leaders are becoming frustrated with what they say is an uptick in the homeless population.
Just beyond ONEOK Field’s left field entrance, are the remnants of a small fire. Ash and soot cover the concrete. Some mortar of the brickwork has turned black. Freeman Culver, president of the Greenwood chamber, says a homeless person, sleeping there overnight, started the fire.