SOLAR SPOTLIGHT: City Care
| May 15, 2025
The mission of City Care in Oklahoma City is to address the root causes of homelessness while empowering individuals to thrive.
The organization’s new 109.62 kW rooftop solar system will help support this mission. Amy Gillett, Senior Director of Development at City Care, filled us in on the organization and their solar system.
This loan was made possible by the generous participation of the BQuest Foundation. Click here for more information about the SunForAll program.
All images courtesy of City Care.
Who benefits from the programs and services you provide?
Homelessness often occurs at the intersection of catastrophic loss and relational poverty. In Oklahoma City, crises such as job loss, illness, substance use disorder, and family breakdown can make stable housing unattainable. City Care bridges this gap by addressing urgent needs with innovative, unduplicated solutions that restore dignity, stability, and opportunity.
Since 1996, City Care has been dedicated to supporting our neighbors experiencing or transitioning from homelessness. Our programs include low-barrier shelter, housing navigation, case management, street outreach, and permanent supportive housing. We seek to address the root causes of homelessness while empowering individuals to thrive, working toward a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has a place to call home.
In April 2021, we opened the Night Shelter — Oklahoma City’s only permanent low-barrier shelter — welcoming families, individuals, and pets. Since then, it has provided over 200,000 nights of rest to 5,600 unduplicated individuals. With secure storage, private family suites, and a climate-controlled Pet Hotel, our shelter prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity.
Beyond shelter, our Housing Navigation team provides case management, ID procurement, benefits assistance, and assistance with housing vouchers, while our Mobile Outreach and Engagement (MOE) program offers complimentary transportation to essential services. Our Supportive Communities program includes 112 units of affordable, supportive housing combined with robust case management, walking alongside residents as they transition from chronic homelessness to stability. In 2024 alone, we housed over 200 individuals, with 36% of our residents being children and youth.
What sparked your organization’s interest in solar energy, and how will you use the savings generated by going solar to further support your mission?
Our decision to go solar was an investment in sustainability — both environmental and financial. The savings generated from solar energy will be reinvested into our mission, ensuring we can continue providing life-changing services, expanding our reach, and supporting the daily operations that allow us to serve those in need. By reducing costs, we can maximize our impact, empowering individuals to find stability and hope for the future.
“Together, we can work to create lasting change and build a community where everyone has a place to call home.” — Amy Gillett, Senior Director of Development at City Care
How will going solar impact your community?
Going solar will have a lasting impact on our community by reducing operational costs, promoting sustainability, and allowing us to reinvest savings into critical services for our unhoused neighbors. By lowering our energy expenses, we can allocate more resources toward emergency shelter, case management, housing navigation, and supportive housing programs — helping individuals and families move from crisis to stability.
Additionally, our commitment to renewable energy aligns with broader community efforts to reduce environmental impact. A cleaner, more sustainable energy source benefits everyone, contributing to a healthier and more resilient Oklahoma City. By leading the way in sustainability, City Care sets an example for other organizations and businesses to explore innovative solutions that create both financial and social good.
Ultimately, going solar strengthens our ability to serve, ensuring that every dollar saved goes directly toward expanding our reach and enhancing the quality of care we provide to those in need.
How did you connect with CollectiveSun to go solar, and how was the process of working with CollectiveSun?
Collective Sun was introduced to City Care by Oklahoma City-based solar company EightTwenty. The process was straightforward and easy.
What did you learn in the process of going solar that other nonprofits should know?
We learned that solar can be a positive investment in our future operational overhead.
What would you want people to know about your organization that they might not know?
At City Care, we believe that homelessness is not just an individual challenge — it’s a community issue that deserves a community response. Creating lasting change in our city happens when all of us work together to advocate for the overlooked.
“Whether through advocacy, volunteerism, financial support, or simply fostering a deeper understanding of the realities our unhoused neighbors face, every person has a role to play in building a stronger, more compassionate city.” — Amy Gillett, Senior Director of Development at City Care
City Care exists because people like you have stepped up — recognizing that dignity, stability, and opportunity should be available to everyone.
How would someone get in touch with your organization to learn more about your services?
Contact City Care via our website, https://www.citycareokc.org/contact, or by emailing us at [email protected].
