A New Leaf aims to build housing development

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — More than 70 percent of Tulsans with developmental disabilities are living with their families – that’s because they can't find a safe and affordable place to live on their own.

"I live with my mom," said Katy Lew.

Katy was born with a learning disability but that doesn't keep her from being able to do things on her own.

"I can pay my bills; I shop. I go see movies, and I can cook," said Lew.

She also has a job with A New Leaf -- an organization on a mission to give folks with development disabilities a chance to be independent, like work in horticulture industry.

Katy is on her way to being completely on her own thanks to a generous donation from the Hardesty Foundation. They donated one million dollars to A New Leaf. The money will cover nearly half the costs of a new housing development called The Village Expansion and will be built in Owasso.

"Everyone should have the American Dream," said Mary Ogle, CEO of A New Leaf. "That's what this one million dollars is giving our clients... the ability try for their American Dream."

Katy is already dreaming about her own place at The Village. She knows it's important for not only her but others like her.

"So they can become independent away from their family life," said Lew. "They can go out to the community and work and get a job and make money."

Simple things we often take for granted, that mean much more.

A New Leaf still needs another million dollars to pay for The Village Expansion. The organization is hopeful it’ll get the donations before the groundbreaking in the spring of 2020.