Caring Collective

10/27/2026

Thanks to Anchor and Oak for this shout out. Stay tuned over the next few months to watch this buildout.

10/26/2026

Today was a reminder of what can happen when young people are given an opportunity to show up, work hard, and be part of something bigger than themselves. 💛

A group of young men currently involved in the juvenile justice system volunteered their time today to help Caring Collective. They moved furniture, cleaned, carried, hauled, listened, learned, and worked incredibly hard from start to finish.

But today was about more than getting work done.

It was about community.

It was about giving young people an opportunity to serve and letting them know that their past does not have to define their future.

At Caring Collective, we believe in dignity and accountability, growth and opportunity, and in surrounding young people with a community that sees their potential.

To these young men: thank you.

Thank you for showing up. Thank you for working hard. Thank you for giving back to your community.

We noticed.

And we are proud of the work you did today. 💛

This is what it looks like when caring becomes community.

10/05/2026

Our very own Kelley Metcalf and our first resident who has been with us a month now, Dre talk about our mission, experiences, and needs to News 9.
https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-city-news/transitional-living-program-helps-oklahoma-kids?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KWTV_-_NEWS_9&fbclid=IwZnRzaAUw2jdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWZkaWQWUPunUyQmPXd0KSMZbVer0Emv48DtDXNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6Hw5Xi0SiY_pZiR8KvBWBChsJDcJwh9hMsdMzaDmQhedLRH1UYCylH6UFMVg_aem_kJG9-c9Z88c7XWUOJ8ONGA

A new transitional living program told News 9 last week that it serves young adults aging out of foster care in Oklahoma and it needs community support as the nonprofit grows.

10/01/2026

🚀 Shoutout to Rocket Wash & Fold!

Caring Collective has been in full transition mode while we work on getting machines into the dorms and Rocket Wash & Fold has been our absolute lifesaver since August. Seriously… MVP status.

And listen… I’ve officially entered my “teaching the boys initiative” era.
So instead of me doing all the calling, texting, scheduling, and clarifying, I’ve made them take the lead on communicating with Rocket.

Which means Rocket has basically been running a mini patience Olympics with us. From learning how to ask the right questions… To figuring out what “pickup window/drop off” actually means… To sending messages that sometimes look like they were typed while skateboarding…

Rocket has handled it all with kindness, grace, and the patience of a saint. We appreciate you more than you know, thank you for keeping us clean, supported, and laughing through the learning curve.

Here’s to amazing service, teamwork, and boys learning how to be responsible humans one laundry pickup/drop off at a time.
We’re grateful for you, Rocket Wash & Fold! 🚀🧺

09/29/2026

The State Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Columbus Foundation of Oklahoma have made grants totaling $120,000.00 to St. Gregory’s Abbey during celebration of Mass in the Abbey Church on September 12. The grants are in support of recent initiatives of the Benedictine community in Shawnee. One-hundred-thousand dollars will be used toward facility improvements to provide secure transitional housing for young people aging-out of foster care and twenty thousand will support the establishment of a House of Discernment at the Abbey.

Click here to read entire story:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ISsb9a9UBlq4GlQrbZL7qLuStYrUpYFmlPR802gMU9M/edit?usp=sharing

09/26/2026

Caring Collective Update 💚

Caring Collective has officially enrolled three residents, and we couldn’t be more proud. Without the support of this incredible community, none of this would have been possible. These three young men are amazing human beings with big goals and we plan to reach every single one of them together.

This journey is an adventure for all of us, and we’re honored to walk it side by side.
And as one resident said, “It feels like home.”
That’s exactly what we’re building.

Yesterday, News 9 visited our facilities and spoke with our Board President, our Director, Father Simeon of St. Gregory’s, and a few of our residents. Caring Collective is not just housing… it’s housing first, nutrition, life skills, education, community, and workforce opportunities designed to build sustainable futures.

I am extremely proud of how far we’ve come on so little, in such a short time. Together, we can interrupt cycles of homelessness and create lasting stability for young adults stepping into independence.

This program is something special! If you’re looking to get involved, please reach out at [email protected]. We are extremely grateful for the support we continue to receive daily! 🫶🏼

09/26/2026

Huge love to The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Avedis Foundation, our powerhouse panelists, and everyone who came ready to learn and connect. And yes… Bob the therapy dog absolutely stole the show. 🐾🫶🏼

09/24/2026

‼️Update: Thank you all for your shares, messages, and support!! We have not one… but two refrigerators coming! We will use one for our boys dorm area and the other in the space we are reserving for the girls side in the future! Thank you so much for you continued and unwavering support Leah Longest and Glen & Kim Davidson!! We are so very appreciative. ❤️🙏🏼‼️

Hi friends! 💛
Caring Collective is in urgent need of a refrigerator for our common area at St. Gregory’s. If anyone has a gently used fridge they’re willing to donate, we would be so grateful. We’re trying hard to avoid purchasing one so we can keep our limited funds focused directly on our youth.

All donations are tax‑deductible, and this would make a huge difference for our residents as we continue building out the space they call home.

If you’ve got something available or know someone who might… please reach out. We would truly appreciate any help.

Thank you in advance for supporting our mission and our young men. 💛

09/09/2026

Late night thought as I wrap up another long day… every day I’m reminded that a Transitional Living Program isn’t just a service, it’s a lifeline. The impact a TLP has on our youth is deeper than most people ever see. It’s stability where there’s been uncertainty, guidance where there’s been isolation, and hope where there’s been far too many closed doors.

I’m genuinely thankful to be part of building Caring Collective from the ground up. Even with the challenges… and there have been plenty, the reward will be worth every long night, every hard conversation, and every moment spent fighting for what these young adults deserve. This work matters. Their futures matter.

And I need to say this clearly, with love and conviction… funding is not optional. In the beginning, it is absolutely crucial. Programs like ours don’t grow on good intentions alone. They grow because people choose to invest in our youth, not just in theory, but in action. It takes a community willing to step forward and say, “Their success is worth my support.”

When people invest in young adults aging out of care, they’re not funding a program, they’re fueling someone’s future. They’re giving a young person the chance to stand on their own, to dream bigger, and to finally feel like they belong somewhere.

Caring Collective is going to change lives. I believe that with my whole heart. We currently have one resident, two on the way, and a few waiting to turn 18. We have made tremendous ground in a short time. I am so grateful to be part of something that will leave a lasting mark on our community and on the generations coming behind us. Show your support and connect with us! Caringcollectiveok.org

With great love and gratitude,
Kelley

09/09/2026

Thank you Shawnee Rotary for the wonderful common room. It’s starting to really come together