OKC Dream Center Assessing Roof Damage Prior To Grand Opening

The Oklahoma City Dream Center suffered severe damage from Thursday night’s winds. 

“It’s not a total loss, but it’s pretty darn close,” OKC Dream Center media director Cory Babcock said.

The roof was ripped off and thrown across the parking lot. Water damage on the second floor is leaking to the ground floor. 

The complex was set to open Monday as a men’s transitional center. 

“It was pretty wild. I mean it just hit like that,” said Billy Romine, who was set to move into the center Monday. 

The Dream Center has 14 beds and provides transitional training and education for men getting out of prison. 

“We help them get back on their feet,” Babcock said. “Guys that have been in prison for 20, 20-plus years. Some guys have never even used a cell phone.” 

 The center offered hope.

“They’re human beings. Just because they were in prison doesn’t mean anything,” Babcock said. “They need a second chance. We’ve all messed up. So that's what we’re here for, is a second chance.”

Now, the Dream Center needs its own second chance.

“We had a couple storms that came through around two years ago and it took the roof off,” Babcock said. “We’ve been spending the past two years, getting to where we are now, to only have it happen again.” 

Romine was nearby when the damage took place.

“I was in the back of the ranch house over there, which was the sober house and I was just sitting there, and I felt a little bit of wind and didn’t think nothing about it,” Romine said. “And all of a sudden, it just got horrendous.”

He’s frustrated by the setback.

“I’m a little bit disgusted, but I sat down and prayed out there a while ago, and God told me, ‘Don’t worry about it. I still got you, and everything is going to be fine,’” Romine said. 

If you would like to donate to the OKC Dream Center donation page, you can do so here.