Our Story Began With One Question
"I wish people would walk in my shoes for once."
2019 — The Beginning
One Friendship Changed Everything
In 2019, Evan Dougoud worked at Youth Services of Tulsa, supporting youth experiencing homelessness between the ages of 16–24.
During this time, he met a group of young people living in tents along the river and began building real friendships with them.
One day, a 19-year-old named Ashley was having a rough day.
"I wish people would walk in my shoes for once."
— Ashley
Around that same time, outreach in the community wasn't always done with care. In one situation, drinks handed out during outreach had gasoline in them.
That moment made something clear: People experiencing homelessness deserved to be heard and treated with dignity.
See How BeHeard Started
The Spark
A Small Camera, A Big Idea
Evan had a small camera that honestly barely worked.
Together, they came up with an idea: Record their stories so people could understand what homelessness was really like.
"BeHeard & BeSeen."
When Evan asked what they should call the documentary series, Ashley and the others wrote down those four words.
From that moment forward, BeHeard Movement was born.
The goal was simple: Use storytelling to move people to take action.
Storytelling Evolved
Tim's Cooking Show
As Evan continued sharing stories, he later met a man named Tim.
""Don't record me unless we're doing a cooking show.""
That conversation turned into something unforgettable. On weekends, Evan would pick Tim up, take him to the grocery store, and film him cooking meals back at the camp.
The Menu:
- • Spaghetti
- • Fajitas
- • Chana Masala
The cooking show became a unique way to highlight Tim's talent and share his story with the community.
Discovery
What People Actually Needed
Through surveys and conversations, Evan learned that the biggest needs for people experiencing homelessness were:
• Housing
• Showers
• Laundry
At the time, the only public showers were located downtown, and some were group showers. For someone living in East Tulsa, the nearest shower or shelter could be a 4–5 hour walk.
Many people shared they hadn't showered in three months. One person said nine months.
""If tacos can be on wheels, so can showers.""
July 31, 2021
The First Trailer Arrives
In 2020, Transformation Church donated funds to purchase BeHeard's first mobile shower trailer.
On July 31, 2021, BeHeard Movement held its very first outreach with the trailer.
The smiles and gratitude from something as simple as a shower were unforgettable.
2020–2021
Expanding When People Needed It Most
During COVID-19, access to services became even more difficult. BeHeard's mission began expanding organically into something bigger: a mobile drop-in center.
Instead of expecting people to travel across the city for help, services could now come directly to them.
At each outreach, BeHeard partnered with organizations offering:
• Housing assistance
• Mental health support
• Medical care
• SNAP benefits
• And more
Breaking Barriers
Innovation in Action
BeHeard partnered with Serve.Love to create the first-ever Virtual Volunteer Vending Machine.
This innovation allows volunteers to serve from anywhere in the world, while neighbors can access essential items anytime—even outside traditional service hours.
"It removes both geographic barriers and time barriers from volunteering and assistance."
Our Innovation
A Drop-In Center — On Wheels
BeHeard operates Oklahoma's only mobile drop-in center. While shower trailers exist around the world, a true drop-in center meets a broader standard providing wraparound support.
Our services include:
• Showers
• Laundry
• Meals
• Clothing
• Case management
• Mail services & more
"It is a front door to stability — a centralized place where basic needs and resources come together to help people exit homelessness."
Unlike traditional fixed-site centers, BeHeard brings comprehensive services directly into underserved neighborhoods. We don't duplicate existing services. Instead, we focus on reaching individuals who often don't access shelters because of distance, transportation barriers, and capacity limitations.
By focusing on underserved proximity, we stretch donor dollars further and reach neighbors who would otherwise remain disconnected from care.
A Fleet Built for Dignity
What started with one shower trailer has grown into a mobile drop-in center bringing essential services directly to our neighbors.
Mobile Shower Trailer
A shower is more than water. It's dignity.
Our mobile shower trailer provides private showers with:
- • Locking doors
- • Hot and cold water
- • Heating and air conditioning
- • Clean towels and hygiene products
Each shower is cleaned and sanitized between guests to ensure a safe and welcoming experience.
Many guests tell us it's the first shower they've had in months.
Mobile Laundry Trailer
Clean clothes restore confidence.
Our laundry trailer includes four washers and dryers, allowing guests to wash and dry clothing quickly and safely.
While waiting, guests can:
- • Charge their phones
- • Watch TV outside the trailer
- • Connect with partner resources
Laundry isn't just a service. It's a step toward stability.
Barbershop Bus
A haircut can change how someone feels about themselves.
Our Barbershop Bus offers:
- • Two haircut stations
- • A shampoo bowl
- • ADA accessibility
- • Climate control for year-round comfort
Guests leave not just with a haircut — but with renewed confidence.
Mobile Clothing Trailer
Dignity means choice.
Instead of standing in line for clothing, guests step inside and shop like they would in a store.
Thanks to generous donations, our clothing trailer provides a wide variety of options so guests can choose what fits them best.
Because dignity matters.
Laundry Trailer #2
Laundry meets connection.
This trailer includes six washers and dryers and a built-in conference room where partner organizations can offer services like:
- • Housing applications
- • Mental health assessments
- • Medical care
- • Resource navigation
It's more than laundry. It's a mobile hub for support and opportunity.
OKC Mobile Drop-In Center
Our newest trailer is our most advanced unit yet.
It includes:
- • 3 private showers
- • 4 washers and dryers
- • 28 phone charging stations
- • Office space for case management
- • Outdoor sinks and shade awning
Designed specifically to serve Oklahoma City with comfort, dignity, and care.
Our Core Pillars
People First
We believe individuals experiencing homelessness are not simply recipients of services—they are our primary stakeholders. Guest voice drives the ship.
- •People over policy
- •People over profit
- •People over programs
- •People over preference
Stewardship
Stewardship means caring for what has been entrusted to us with intention and excellence.
- •Careful resource management
- •Honoring donor trust
- •Building strong partnerships
- •Respecting what we're given
Sustainability
Impact that lasts requires long-term thinking. We're committed to serving not just today, but well into the future.
- •Building strong systems
- •Resilient programs
- •Healthy partnerships
- •Wise financial practices
The Movement Continues
What started with a small camera is now a movement.
Our Journey So Far
The Beginning
Evan meets unhoused youth at outreach. They come up with the name BeHeard. A camera and a question spark a movement.
Official Nonprofit
BeHeard Movement becomes an official nonprofit, solidifying the mission to provide showers, dignity, and hope.
First Fleet Arrives
Transformation Church donates the first mobile shower trailer. World Outreach Church provides a truck. July 31, 2021 — first outreach.
Expanding Services
Laundry trailer and barbershop bus launch. Second truck added to the fleet. BeHeard wins Nonprofit of the Year.
Mobile Drop-In Center
Opens Oklahoma's first mobile drop-in center on Tulsa's east side with comprehensive wraparound services.
Documentary Premier
Premiers the first-ever in-person documentary, showcasing the movement's impact and the stories of those served.
OKC Expansion & Shelter Partnership
Expands to Oklahoma City with new mobile drop-in center. Mayor makes buses free for BeHeard. Helps open winter shelter for unhoused community.
Virtual Volunteer Vending Machine
Launches first-ever Virtual Volunteer Vending Machine after winning 1 of 80 applications for innovation funding. 24/7 access, remote volunteering.
Measurement & Accountability
Data-Driven Impact
BeHeard is data-driven. Through our real-time CRM system, we track impact at every level:
• Shower usage
• Laundry loads
• Intake data
• Surveys & feedback
• Maintenance requests
• Case management engagement
This allows us to measure outcomes clearly and responsibly. Progress matters to us, which is why we track it.
Example: John's Journey
→ Exited homelessness
One Story Became a Movement
What began with a small camera and a few conversations has grown into a movement.
Today, BeHeard continues to serve with humility, compassion, and a commitment to meeting people where they are.
One conversation.
One shower.
One neighbor at a time.
Be Part of the Movement
Every action matters. Join us in meeting neighbors where they are and treating them with the dignity they deserve.