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Who's on Staff
Henry Adams is a man with a mission -- to help kids.
 He joined Tulsa Boys' Home in December of 2002, and is now "A" Shift School Supervisor. That means that from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, Henry's responsibility is to make sure that everything goes as planned while our boys are in school.
"I'm driven to help kids", said Henry in a recent interview. "One of the knacks that I have is to mentor youngsters. That's what I've done all my life, in rec halls and other places. I ended up being a mentor in my neighborhood because my house was the one where all the kids came to play."
As proof of his dedication, in September of last year Henry was lighting his outside grill when it exploded, giving him third degree burns on 25% of his body. He was back to work in 30 days!
"I believe we offer a good structure, discipline, and morals for the guys here", he added. "When a boy first comes in, my first word of advice to him is to listen to staff and to follow our norms.
"We first build some trust. We listen, hear them out, let them feel that they have an opinion. One of their problems is they were never heard by their other placements or guardians.
"Then we show them that someone can care for them; that this world is just not cold."
Henry is a native of Tulsa and is a graduate of McClain High School. He has seven children, ages twenty to two years old.
Before coming to Tulsa Boys' Home, he worked at the Ford Glass Plant in Broken Arrow, and much "prefers here to there". When he has a rare free moment, he enjoys horseback riding, fishing, and hunting because he's an "outdoors kind of guy who grew up in a country setting".
Why did the chicken cross the road?
If you don't know the punch line to this old joke, or need a few new ones to replenish your personal collection of  bad puns, Dr. Dan Stockley is the man to ask. He isn't known as the "King of Bad Jokes" for nothing at Tulsa Boys' Home; he even likes his unofficial title. But his real title and his responsibilities here are no laughing matter.
For eighteen years, Dan has been the consulting psychologist at TBH.
"I am a private practice psychologist, and have had a private practice in Psychology since 1992", said Dr. Stockley. "The focus of my practice is primarily clinical assessment for court related cases. My assessments are used mostly in the domestic division of the court.
Yes, we weren't kidding. Dr. Stockley plays a serious and important role in Tulsa and at Tulsa Boys' Home.
"I joined the Boys' Home in 1991. Mieke Epps [TBH Clinical Director] called me in early 1991, and asked me if I would be willing to do psychological assessments of the boys at TBH. My official title originally was 'High Llama'."
There's that dry sense of humor!
"Currently, I’m serving as the 'Consulting Psychologist'. My responsibilities are to provide psychodiagnostic evaluations for every boy who comes to TBH."
That translates to about 174 boys a year.
"Additionally, I assist the clinical staff in addressing some of the complex treatment needs of some of our more challenging boys. I also served as one of the judges in the chili cook off."
If anyone knows how the clinical component works at Tulsa Boys' Home, it is Dr. Stockley. His assessment of the strength of our treatment program is high praise indeed.
"Unquestionably the primary strength of the TBH program is the staff, especially the direct child care staff", continued Dr. Stockley.
"Over the years, I have frequently eavesdropped on impromptu one-on-ones between the direct care staff and the boys. The sincerity, concern and the compassion exhibited by the staff, especially with the most resistive youth always impresses me."
Dan's own talents are impressive as well. Anyone who spends a few minutes in his office on campus cannot fail to notice his very large painting of American cultural icons like Superman that hangs on his walls.
Despite his impressive credentials, the important role he plays at Tulsa Boys' Home, and his wry sense of humor, Dan has always been an easy man to know and appreciate.
"I am married, and have three children, ages 29, 27 & 24 and two step-children, ages 19 and 16. I also have a brand new grandson. My hobbies are woodworking, painting and more importantly, giving back to the environment, by planting varieties of oak trees."
Meet a man who meets himself, coming and going.
 Walter Thompson is one of two facilities maintenance assistants at Tulsa Boys' Home. He joined the agency in March of 2006.
As part of our maintenance team, Walter's job is to help maintain the sixteen buildings on our campus, as things are damaged or wear out. That includes carpentry, concrete work, plumbing, and small electrical work. He is also responsible for pool maintenance in the summer, and grounds keeping year round.
Walter came to us from the Kallay Group where he worked for 15 years, also doing maintenance. It is a commercial property company that takes care of buildings like the Express Tower and Peach Tree Square in Tulsa. He also owns a commercial cleaning company, and maintains a 21,000 square foot building every morning before he comes to work at Tulsa Boys' Home.
"I love working here," said Walter. "I grew up in an orphanage in Taft, Oklahoma with three hundred other kids. From there, I graduated from Taft High School, and then got a scholarship to play baseball at Kansas State University as a center fielder because I couldn't play pro ball. My step-father wanted me to go to college instead.
"Because of how I grew up, I can relate to the kids here, especially the ones who work with me in the Boys' Work Program. They talk to me and never bad mouth Tulsa Boys' Home. They are right, because TBH is ten times better than the Taft orphanage back then."
Walter feels his greatest challenge in his job is "making broken things right again".
"This is a beautiful campus with outstanding facilities on campus, and a wide range of programs to help the kids. What we do here is heal the boys, mind, body, and soul."
Walter is native to Tulsa, and has been married for 22 years to his wife, Janette. Together, they have four kids.
On those rare occasions when he has a bit of leisure time, Walter likes to play PlayStation video games "when I can get my son to let me". Outside of work, however, he usually just likes to go home and pass out! It's a wonder he even finds time to do that!
Rudy Martinez joined the staff of Tulsa Boys' Home in June of 1998, and now  works in our Falcon Lodge as a Residential Youthcare Worker. He teaches our residents the skills they will need to lead healthy, productive lives after they successfully complete their therapy programs here.
Rudy worked in the same field when he lived in Chicago at a similar residential treatment facility.
Rudy enjoys most of the aspects of working with our residents. Every job has challenges, and he does not shy away from the challenges his position presents.
"I most enjoy interacting with the boys," Rudy said, "seeing how they are feeling and how their week is going. And I like to kid around with them as we form a good relationship.
"One thing that's big with me is that our residents are respectful to others, and especially to adults. It's just plain, simple courtesy.
"They will get along better in society, people will be more prone to help them out if they come to them in a respectful manner."
Rudy believes that the toughest part of his job is when a boy doesn't respond to what he is trying to teach. He stated that if they leave Tulsa Boys' Home having been unresponsive to what they need to learn here, they're going to have a hard time being successful in the world.
In the eleven years that he has been employed at Tulsa Boys' Home, Rudy has seen many changes on our campus, and he likes how the TBH program has expanded. "From when I started here to the present, I've seen the agency evolve to be more therapeutic in its approach to the problems that plague our boys, and more rounded in the services we provide them. Our relatively new Equine and Substance Abuse programs are good examples of that."
Rudy's goal each day is to be consistent with the whole program and with our boys.
"I like what I do," he said, "and if it ever comes time that I don't, it will be time to hang it up."
Considering his longevity on staff, that shouldn't be anytime soon!
Rudy is married and has one thirteen year old daughter. He likes spending time with his wife and daughter.
"The best thing that I like to do is watch movies together with my family. We like movies with a positive message."
Damian Everette joined Tulsa Boys' Home in July of last year as a Residential Youth Care Worker (RYCW) in Bear Lodge,  currently serving in the 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm "B" shift.
Damian had lived most of his life in Lawton, Oklahoma until attending Northeastern State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Health and Kinesiology (the study of the movements of the human body). After graduation, he moved his own body to Tulsa!
Why did he choose to help children as his career?
"I had done some previous work for Job Corp at Treasure Lake near Lawton", said Damian. "I got a passion for the work there, and got attached to some of the kids, and really enjoyed it.
"I was a recreation supervisor at Treasure Lake, and planned and implemented outings and different recreational events just like they do in Recreational Therapy here at the Home.
"When I saw a position open for a Residential Youth Care Worker at Tulsa Boys' Home, I decided to give it a try."
Damian described his principal responsibilities in Bear Lodge. They are to assure the safety of our residents, to make certain that their needs are met, and to teach them to follow the TBH resident's handbook.
What is the best part of working with the troubled Oklahoma boys served by Tulsa Boys' Home?
"The best part of my job is making connections with the different boys and helping them in their time of need.
"Some of the guys have serious issues, but they are so stubborn in their ways that they wont change. They come to me to talk about these issues, and I help them work through them."
Every job has challenges. What does an RYCW face at TBH?
"Honestly, the toughest part of my job as a Residential Youth Care Worker is trying not to take bad situations and negative comments personally."
Damian is a young man with dreams and goals for his life. He eventually wants to become a Math teacher in the public school system, and is working towards that goal now.
When he gets a few moments to himself, he enjoys anything to do with his health. He considers himself to be a health fanatic, and loves to lift weights, run, and play football and basketball.
Even though he's worked only a relatively brief time at Tulsa Boys' Home, he has already earned a high reputation from his superiors.
No one will be surprised when he accomplishes any goal that he may set for himself in the future.
Kelli Work, M.Ed is the Principal of our on campus school at Tulsa Boys' Hom.
"I have lived in Tulsa my entire life," she wrote in a brief biography, "and graduated high school from East Central. I was the special education department chairman at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa for the last 6 years."
Kelli has taught Special Education for 22 years in Tulsa public schools, and is in her 23rd year in education. She has been a Senior class sponsor, student council sponsor, class sponsor, and cheer leading sponsor. Kelli received her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Tulsa, and holds a Masters of Education from Northeastern State University.
"I came to Tulsa Boys' Home because I had worked with challenged students. I feel my experience of over 22 years in Special Ed has offered me certain insight into how to deal with the special needs and distinct personalities of the boys."
Her favorite subject to teach is Algebra, and she loves to relax in the outdoors, enjoying swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Kelli also has a deep love for her children and grandchildren. She has two sons. Christopher, who lives in Sand Springs, is a restaurant manager with two children, Thatcher (17 months old), and Tyler (5 months old). Kyle is a Senior at the University of Tulsa, majoring in Biology--pre-med.
For hundreds of photographs of Tulsa Boys' Home and additional memorials, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/runforroses/
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