As the school year winds down and Tulsa’s summer energy begins to rise, the young men we serve at MBK Tulsa are entering a season filled with both opportunity and risk. Summer should be a time of joy, exploration and freedom. But for many boys and young men of color, especially those growing up in historically under-resourced neighborhoods, it can also be a time of increased vulnerability.
At MBK Tulsa, we carry a deep sense of responsibility. We are not only preparing boys and young men of color for the classroom but also working to ensure they are safe, seen and supported wherever they go. That is the driving force behind Milestone 6: Ensuring all youth remain safe from violent crime.
Why Summer Safety Matters
Summer months often bring more free time, outdoor activity and community gatherings. While this is exciting, it also comes with real risks. Across the country, we see an increase in youth-related violence, mental health challenges and housing instability during this time of year. For young people in North and East Tulsa, these risks are made more severe by limited access to meaningful employment opportunities, safe spaces, fresh food and consistent mentorship.
Safety is more than avoiding danger – it is about prevention, presence and possibility. We believe every young man should feel protected by his community and supported by a network that sees and values him.
A New Strategy for a Safer Tulsa
Through our Milestone 6 Table Workgroup, MBK Tulsa is proud to be a part of the coalition implementing the Tulsa Community-Based Violence Intervention Program. This initiative is supported by the City of Tulsa and local leaders like the Terence Crutcher Foundation and Youth Services of Tulsa. It represents a bold step toward reimagining safety in our neighborhoods.
With a $2 million investment, this community-led strategy is designed to reduce Tulsa’s homicide mortality rate from 11.9 percent to 6.2 percent by 2028. The approach is grounded in what works. Trained outreach workers known as credible messengers will engage directly with youth and adults who are at high risk of violence. These workers build trust, mediate conflict and connect individuals to vital services including housing support, job placement, mentorship and mental health care.
Read more from the City of Tulsa’s announcement here
Tips for Staying Safe and Supported This Summer
Whether you are a parent, mentor or community partner, here are a few important ways to help boys and young men of color stay safe this summer:
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- Create and Share Safe Spaces
Encourage participation in supervised programs for children and for youth at churches, schools, parks and community centers. - Know the Signs
Look out for changes in mood, conflicts with friends and peers, sleep or behavior changes that may signal stress or mental health needs. - Support Summer Employment
Summer jobs build skills and confidence. Connect qualifying youth under 17 to programs like Greencountry Workforce Youth Program and for those over the age of 17, Goodwill and Madison Strategies Group. - Stay Informed
Follow Terence Crutcher Foundation, Youth Services of Tulsa and MBK Tulsa for more information, safety tips and community resources.
- Create and Share Safe Spaces
- Foster Community and Ownership
Public spaces like QuikTrips, abandoned properties, and parks such as the Gathering Place can sometimes become hotspots for violence or harm. To shift this dynamic, it’s essential to proactively and collaboratively engage young people, especially those who may be at risk of causing or experiencing harm. Build trust and relationships with them by involving them in the design, purpose, and use of these spaces. When youth feel welcomed, included, and have a voice in how these spaces are used, they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility, transforming public areas into places of safety, connection, and community.
Collective Responsibility, Collective Hope
Creating safe communities for our youth goes beyond the idea of there being an absence of harm, we need to ensure that we are creating the presence of care. It lives in the way we greet our youth by name, in the spaces we create for them to be themselves, and in the systems we build to catch them before they fall. It is carried by all of us: families, neighbors, educators, mentors and city leaders who choose to stand watch together and choose to listen closely and act with love and urgency.
Our boys and young men deserve a Tulsa that protects their joy and nurtures their promise. When we show up for them, not only in moments of crisis but also in seasons of growth, we plant seeds of safety that grow into freedom, confidence and hope. Let us carry that responsibility with care and pride, and move into this summer not only prepared, but united.