OSDH confirms spike in homeless syphilis cases, metro woman trying to change that

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Syphilis cases are on the rise, specifically among the homeless population. Numbers from the state health department show a spike in an area of Oklahoma County.

However, a metro woman is doing what she can to help them out.

"I love you too, Mr. Ronny,” Delisa Jones said to a client on Friday as she helped him find some clothes.

Love and care are two things you can always find at Second Chances Thrift Store in northwest Oklahoma City.

"It's born from my life story,” Jones, the owner of the thrift store, said. “So, my life's journey is to help men and women who are just like me."

Jones’s life story of addiction, prison, and even being sold into sex trafficking brought her here.

For the past eight years, she’s owned the thrift store at that location off N. MacArthur Boulevard. It’s a thrift store inside, but it doubles as a ministry.

"We focus on men and women who are struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health issues,” Jones said. “People are coming out of jail and prison, human trafficking, sex trafficking, and domestic violence."

From clothing to shoes, food, and even a spot to settle down and find shade, Jones does what she can to meet their needs.

"Because they're human, they're God's children, and because I love them," she said.

She also keeps track of their health, testing for Syphilis at her store with test strips. There’s been a recent spike within the people she cares for.

"I know that we want to get them healthy as they are testing positive,” she said.

Jones, who partners with the state health department to keep up with the health of the vulnerable population, has made it her mission to change it.

"Keeping them healthy is important, and that somebody's seeing them and loving them is even more important for sure,” she said.

Delisa owns another thrift store in Edmond, and it’s been open for a little over a year.

News 4 has reached out to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) for details on the situation.

They did say they’ve seen a spike in an area of Oklahoma County.

OSDH provided the following statement on Friday:

Oklahoma has been responding to increases in syphilis cases statewide over the last several years. Currently, we are working about 40 cases in a small, localized area within Oklahoma County. To be proactive in reaching more at-risk individuals and increasing awareness, we began robust testing and outreach efforts. As with all public health strategies, we work closely with our partners on prevention measures and connecting individuals to needed services and referrals.

Oklahoma State Department of Health