Actress Jen Lilley, best known for her roles on “General Hospital” and “Days of Our Lives,” among many others, is on a mission to provide housing for young girls in need.
On May 6, the 39-year-old took to social media to announce the grand opening of the Tulsa Girls’ Home in Jenks, Oklahoma, located about 10 miles south of Tulsa, which serves as a haven for teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 18 living in foster care.
During a live stream shared to her Instagram account, Ms. Lilley, who is the organization’s board secretary, gave a tour of the expansive facility, which can house up to eight girls—showcasing its spacious bedrooms, outdoor pool, and counseling offices situated next door.
Tulsa Girls’ Home was first established in Sapulpa, Oklahoma in 2022. However, the group home relocated about 15 minutes away to Jenks so that it could expand to offer housing for 18-year-olds who age out of foster care without being adopted or reunited with their families. The non-profit plans to build four transitional townhomes on the surrounding property, each one capable of housing two young women. Two of the homes are projected to be completed in August.
Earlier this year, the Jenks Chamber of Commerce awarded the Tulsa Girls’ Home with the city’s Community Impact Award at its 2024 Annual Banquet. The organization shared the news in a Facebook post published on Jan. 19, writing: “Jenks has gone above and beyond to help propel forward the mission of Tulsa Girls’ Home. They are a community that believes every child deserves a loving, safe home and a community that protects and advocates for girls in foster care!”
Tulsa Girls’ Home
On May 10, seven girls moved into the Tulsa Girls’ Home, officially turning the page on a new chapter of their lives.
“Our girls are amazing,” Ms. Lilley enthusiastically shared on Instagram. “You know, they come in broken and just having sustained, you know, more than you can imagine—more than I can imagine in my lifetime—they’ve already experienced. And Tulsa Girls’ Home is actually something that works.
“You know we’re doing it right when they beg to come live in the group home,” Ms. Lilley continued.
Tulsa Girls’ Home aims to fill a need for housing across the country that is specifically intended for girls who are wards of their respective states. According to the government data resource USAFacts, there are currently more than 390,000 children in the foster care system. A little over half of this figure is boys, with girls representing about 49 percent of all children in foster care. However, according to Ms. Lilley, there are roughly nine boys’ foster homes in the United States for every girl’s home available. “Girls don’t get a lot of help because they’re considered more difficult than boys,” she said, “which is crazy.”
Tulsa Girls’ Home is an offshoot of Project Orphans, a non-profit organization founded by Brittany Stokes to assist vulnerable orphans in Uganda. As Ms. Lilley described in her video, the actress met Ms. Stokes “totally through God,” connecting with the foster care advocate on Instagram. This chance encounter “birthed the dream for the girls’ home,” Ms. Stokes told The Epoch Times via email.
“Tulsa Girls’ Home stands out as a beacon of hope and transformation for at-risk teenage girls in Oklahoma’s foster care system. What sets our program apart is our unwavering commitment to personalized care and support tailored to the unique needs of each girl,” explained Ms. Stokes.
“From individualized therapy sessions to specialized educational programs, we prioritize the holistic well-being of our residents, recognizing that healing and growth are deeply personal journeys,” she added. “Our approach empowers girls to overcome trauma, develop essential life skills, and ultimately realize their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment.”
Ms. Stokes noted that the transitional homes will also help to expand the organization’s impact. “This new chapter allows us to develop innovative programs and resources specifically designed to address the challenges faced by young women transitioning into independence,” she said, which include vocational training initiatives and mentorship opportunities.
“We are dedicated to equipping these girls with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive beyond our care,” she continued.
“By harnessing the potential of our new campus, we are poised to make an even greater difference in the lives of those we serve, ensuring that every girl has the chance to build a brighter future.”
