Dan Straughan, founding executive director of the Homeless Alliance, and Red Rock Behavioral Health Center to be honored at event
Catholic Charities will hold its annual major fundraiser, the 2025 Green Tie Gala, on Feb. 22.
The event is set for 6 p.m. at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 N.E. 63 St. in Oklahoma City. With limited seating available, the public is encouraged to purchase tickets soon. Gala tickets are $250 each with sponsorships also available. For more information about tickets or sponsorships, contact Tessa Traxler at Catholic Charities at (405) 523-3000, Ext. 242 or visit gtg.ccaokc.org.
The gala includes live and silent auctions featuring luxury vacations and other experiences, live music and updates from Executive Director Patrick Raglow on the success of the new Sanctuary Women’s Development Center that opened in July. He will also speak about Catholic Charities’ additional homeless services and affordable housing initiatives.
“This year’s gala will of course celebrate our new sanctuary building, but more importantly, the expanded services it allows,” said Raglow. “The gala’s proceeds ensure our sanctuary centers in Oklahoma City and Norman can continue to provide hope and healing to the women and children we serve now and into the future.”
This year’s honorees are Dan Straughan, founding executive director of the Homeless Alliance, and Red Rock Behavioral Health Center.
Straughan, recipient of the Ambassador Award, led efforts to enhance care for people experiencing homelessness. Under his leadership, the Homeless Alliance developed a shared client database, established community standards for shelters, and created the WestTown Homeless Resources Campus, a comprehensive "one-stop shop" with the city’s only general-use day shelter serving 350 people daily. He also spearheaded the housing creation for vulnerable populations, including chronically unhoused individuals, veterans, families, youth, domestic violence survivors and those with HIV, as well as Oklahoma City’s only permanent winter shelter. He also served as the vice president for agency relations, allocations and community investment at United Way.
This year’s Mosaic Award will be presented to Red Rock Behavioral Health Services. This award is presented at the gala every year to an organization that demonstrates its commitment to helping Catholic Charities fulfill its mission.
Proceeds from the Green Tie Gala benefit Catholic Charities’ homeless services, including Sanctuary Women’s Development Center, a day shelter in Oklahoma City and Norman for women and children experiencing homelessness.