Where We Come From.

Our History

Neighbors Along the Line (NATL) was born out of a simple, powerful act of kindness in 1976. When Dr. Richard Evans, minister at John Knox Presbyterian Church, received a call from a Tulsa Housing Authority social worker about a mother fleeing abuse with her children, the response was immediate. The Housing Authority provided shelter. The John Knox congregation supplied food, furniture, and essentials. From that moment of community care, NATL was formed—to help meet the basic needs of Northwest Tulsa residents.

What began as an emergency response grew quickly into a dedicated nonprofit effort. From 1976 to 1981, NATL focused its efforts in the Sandy Park area. During this time, a growing need for medical care led Dr. Ledbetter, a church member of John Knox, to establish a free Monday night clinic. That clinic continues to serve the expanded surrounding communities today.

As the needs in Tulsa evolved, so did NATL. We’ve operated from various locations over the years—including Sandy Park Apartments, Riley School, and Harrison Memorial Methodist Church—before settling into our current 5,600-square-foot community center, completed in 1997.

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As the needs in our area grew, so did NATL’s service footprint. Today, our primary service area includes neighborhoods within:

Highway 244 to the East
81st Avenue to the West
The Arkansas River to the South
Edison Street (Osage County Line) to the North

In 2008, we expanded to serve Sand Springs residents as well. While some services like food assistance, utility help, and holiday support are limited to those in our core areas, most of our programs are open to anyone in need, regardless of location.

Growing to Serve More Neighbors

The region we serve was once a thriving center of industry and opportunity. But the loss of major employers, combined with infrastructure changes, led to steep declines in population and income. Today, many residents refer to it as “the forgotten part of Tulsa.”

According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and USDA, NATL’s primary service area faces:

Elevated poverty rates
High levels of food insecurity
Unemployment and underemployment
Low educational attainment
Limited access to health insurance

These challenges have only deepened in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, making NATL’s work more critical than ever.

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Supporting “The Forgotten Part of Tulsa”

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One Location, Comprehensive Services

Transportation is a major barrier for many in our community. That’s why NATL is committed to providing comprehensive, wraparound services all in one place. Our programs include:

Food Pantry and emergency food assistance
Free medical care through our longstanding clinic
GED preparation, literacy programs, and job search assistance
Utility and housing support
Referrals for legal, WIC, and substance abuse services
Seasonal programs like school supply drives and holiday support

We believe in empowering people to take meaningful steps toward stability—whether through education, employment, or access to life-changing resources

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We are Powered by Community

NATL’s work is made possible by a small but mighty team of three full-time and two part-time staff, an engaged Board of Directors, and the dedication of over 50 regular volunteers. Every service we offer is completely free—thanks to the generosity of individual donors, foundations, churches, and corporate partners.

We remain committed to the same mission that sparked our founding nearly 50 years ago: to uplift our neighbors with dignity, compassion, and practical support.