Edmond, Okla. (March 28, 2025) – The Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (OFBCI) partnered with CityServe, a Tulsa nonprofit, to assist an Edmond family who lost their home and all belongings in a recent fire.
The Mayhue family serves as a therapeutic foster home through Oklahoma Human Services and currently has four children placed with them in addition to their two biological children. Therapeutic foster homes serve children ages 3 to 18 with special psychological, social, behavioral and emotional needs that require more intensive or therapeutic services than are found in traditional foster care.
Mayhue shared, “I was sitting in a funeral at school when I received a text that our house was on fire. Driving home and near our neighborhood, I could see the smoke and billowing flames. Friday night we lost it all.” Luckily, no one was home, and no one was injured.
Arrangements were made for the children to stay with family and friends during the week of spring break. Even while staying in a hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Mayhue continually reassured their children they would soon be together again as a family. After feverishly looking for options, and touring more than 20 rental houses, they finally found a home that could accommodate their large family. Even after finding a house, they still faced another level of the loss - absolutely nothing was salvageable from the fire.
With time running out due to spring break ending and the children eager to be home again, the Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives was able to connect the Mayhue family with CityServe Oklahoma, a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing aid to families amid crisis. When CityServe learned of this tragedy, they jumped into action putting together supplies needed to fully furnish a home. In less than 48 hours, CityServe Oklahoma showed up to this empty rental home and started unloading tables, couches, beds, wall décor, toys, shoes, dishes, and so much more.
“I can confidently say, we have EVERYTHING we need now. We are fully furnished; it even all matches and looks like a home! The kids won’t believe all this when they come home Sunday (March 23).” Said Morgan Mayhue. “This is going to feel like Christmas instead of the loss. This removes some of the trauma out of this type of event.”
The Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives played a key role in connecting critical resources to a local family. "Our office is dedicated to empowering communities to come together and support those in need," stated OFBCI Director Brian Bobek. "Oklahoma is home to many incredible organizations doing amazing work, and in this case, connecting with CityServe proved to be the perfect solution."
CityServe Oklahoma, a non-profit based in Tulsa, is committed to serving Oklahomans statewide. “CityServe Oklahoma was honored to help this family in their time of crisis. When we heard about the Mayhue’s situation, our team dropped everything to pull together a full home of furniture and supplies. This family has dedicated so much of their lives to serving foster children and it was an honor for us to now serve them as a thank you for all they have done. We loved giving them a fresh start and a new beginning in their new home!” said Angela Henshaw, Chief Operating Officer with CityServe Oklahoma.
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