TrustedKare

Pros

• Tulsa CARES is described as a life saver by reviewers.
• The staff at Tulsa CARES are awesome and go out of their way to help.
• Tulsa CARES is a blessing to the community.
• The team at Tulsa CARES is professional, caring, and helpful.
• Tulsa CARES offers a wide variety of services and makes clients feel welcome.
• Reviewers say Tulsa CARES goes above and beyond for its clients.
• Tulsa CARES provides life-saving help and resources for people in need.
• Tulsa CARES is praised as a compassionate, supportive place to receive services.

Cons

• Tulsa CARES refused to help with cremation expenses for a loved one.
• The organization showed neither dignity nor compassion in their time of need.
• Tulsa CARES cut off access to nutrition and transportation services after a complaint about mistreatment.
• The staff handled things horribly and were not humane.
• Greg was the worst staff member.
• Despite substantial surplus funds, Tulsa CARES did not provide help to a grieving family in crisis.
• The refusal raises questions about where Tulsa CARES' priorities lie.
• Tulsa CARES' actions contradict the claim that it serves the HIV community with dignity and compassion.

Review

Tulsa CARES sits at the center of a broad spectrum of experiences in the Tulsa HIV/AIDS community, earning high praise from many who rely on its services while also drawing sharp criticism from others who feel let down at crucial moments. On the positive side, numerous people describe Tulsa CARES as a welcoming, life-affirming place with a wide array of programs designed to support health, housing, food, and daily living. Several commenters thank specific staff members for their kindness and practical help, calling the team "professional," "compassionate," and "amazing." The sentiment of gratitude shines through in phrases like "home away from home," "they go out of their way to accommodate you," and "the people here are awesome." The organization is repeatedly praised for being helpful to HIV-positive clients and for offering services such as food pantries, farmers markets, counseling, housing assistance, medical referrals, and even social events like lunch programs and zoo outings funded through their activities. The glow is bright when the experience aligns with the client's needs, and some visitors even describe feeling cared for and supported in ways that feel deeply meaningful.

Several voices highlight specific positive interactions that leave lasting impressions. Linda is thanked for a hug that was just what someone needed, Debra is praised for serving a nourishing lunch on Tuesdays, and Friday is credited with meaningful help and guidance. People express appreciation for receiving a broad set of services under one roof, including practical support with housing and referrals, as well as social and supportive elements that help clients feel seen and valued. A sense of gratitude colors many of these accounts, with comments noting that Tulsa CARES has "gone above and beyond" and that the staff's dedication makes a tangible difference in daily life. A recurring theme in these favorable accounts is the perception that staff listen, show respect, and treat clients with dignity and warmth, even amid the challenges that come with managing illness and housing instability.

Yet alongside the praise, there is a substantial vein of criticism and disappointment. The most pointed grievance concerns a personal tragedy: a family faced with a devastating loss and sought help with cremation expenses for a former client; the organization reportedly refused, despite the presence of surplus funds and a public commitment to serving the HIV community with dignity and compassion. This incident prompts questions about priorities and the way resources are allocated, especially when a grieving family is clearly in distress. One reviewer explicitly asks who benefits when basic acts of humanity - like assisting with final arrangements - are denied, given the organization's financial resources. The tension between fund reporting and on-the-ground outcomes is foregrounded by this account, with the reviewer citing a 2024 annual report showing substantial unrestricted or unspent funds alongside ongoing needs in the community.

Other critiques focus on mistreatment or insufficient compassion in specific interactions. A reviewer describes being cut off from nutrition and transportation services after complaining about mistreatment by staff and a vendor, painting a picture of punitive responses that feel cruel rather than supportive. There are mentions of a staff member named Greg who some feel was particularly unhelpful or unkind, contributing to a broader sense that certain interactions fail to reflect the organization's stated values. Some comments reflect a frustration with how problems are handled, suggesting that the dignity and respect promised online are not always realized in practice for every client.

A number of reviewers balance the negative experiences with consistent, positive testimonials about the staff and services, reinforcing that Tulsa CARES can be a critical lifeline for many in the community. People describe being helped with apartment issues, receiving professional guidance, and feeling supported by a welcoming environment. The sense of community is strong in these accounts, with volunteers and staff described as caring and engaged, and with routines that create predictability and safety for clients who navigate health, housing, and food insecurities. Several comments emphasize that the organization provides "a lot of help" and that clients feel seen and valued, which in turn fosters ongoing trust and engagement.

In the broader narrative, Tulsa CARES appears as a place of real benefit for many - offering essential services, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging - while also showing cracks in how it handles crises, tough conversations, and moments of grief. The collection of opinions presents a complex portrait: a community hub that can be a genuine lifeline for some, yet a source of disappointment for others when expectations about compassion, timely support, or fair treatment are not met. The mix of praise and critique invites readers to consider both the tangible benefits the organization delivers and the importance of aligning its operations with the values many claim to be central to its mission. Whether through life-saving resources, comforting lunches, or the sting of a denied request in a moment of loss, Tulsa CARES stands as a focal point where care, community, and controversy intersect.

This part of Tulsa, Oklahoma offers a variety of conveniences and amenities that may appeal to older individuals considering the area for senior living. The presence of several popular restaurants such as Whataburger, Beijing Gourmet, and Hideaway Pizza provides easy access to dining options. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies in the vicinity including CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens for convenient medication needs. Various places of worship such as the Islamic Society of Tulsa and Christ United Methodist Church offer opportunities for spiritual fulfillment. Nearby physicians' offices like Breast Specialists Of Saint Francis and Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center ensure access to medical care, while cafes like Starbucks and Dutch Bros Coffee provide social spaces for relaxation. Parks like Leake Park offer recreational opportunities, while theaters such as AMC Southroads 20 cater to entertainment needs. With Southwestern Regional Medical Center located just 3 miles away, residents have access to quality healthcare facilities in close proximity.

Restaurants

• Whataburger (0.2 miles)
• Beijing Gourmet (1.1 miles)
• Hideaway Pizza (1.2 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.4 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (1.4 miles)
• Old School Bagel Cafe (1.6 miles)
• Charleston's Restaurant (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Jombo's Island Style Dispensary (1.3 miles)
• Drug Warehouse (1.4 miles)
• Act Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Reasor's Foods (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Islamic Society of Tulsa (1.1 miles)
• Christ United Methodist Church (3 miles)
• Brookside Baptist Church (4.5 miles)

Physicians

• Breast Specialists Of Saint Francis (1.2 miles)
• Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center (1.2 miles)
• Child Neurology of Tulsa (1.2 miles)
• Warren Clinic-Springer Building (1.3 miles)
• Bregman Richard Warren Clinic Neurosurgery Tulsa (1.4 miles)
• Charles Walter Garrett (1.4 miles)
• Tulsa Endoscopy Center (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Cha Bubble Tea (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Leake Park (1.6 miles)
• Terrace Park (3.1 miles)
• Florence Park (4.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Southroads 20 (2 miles)
• Cinemark Tulsa (3 miles)

Hospitals

• Southwestern Regional Medical Center (3 miles)