“We’re taking what we do at Little Light House and bringing it to families who can’t come to us. That’s the heart of it—meeting people where they’re at.”
Introducing Little Light House’s newest outreach initiative: the Mobile Classroom, launched in summer 2025 and now reaching families throughout the Tulsa community.
From the outside, it’s hard to miss—a giant RV with a bold LLH logo and colorful wrap. But inside is where the real magic happens. Outfitted with a sensory room, interactive learning space, and therapy equipment, the Mobile Classroom is custom designed to allow children and a caregiver to attend class together. It brings the signature play-based approach of Little Light House closer to the doorsteps of those who are unable to attend class at 36th & Yale.
It has long been a goal of Little Light House to serve more families. In 2022, Little Light House received a generous donation from Transformation Church to reach children with special needs in North Tulsa. Over the years, families in North Tulsa would repeatedly “drop off” the waitlist as full-time enrollment neared. Surveys revealed that barriers like transportation and scheduling conflicts were key reasons. Executive Director Molly Smith stated, “If families want to come here but physically can’t, we still want to serve them. We want to give them the chance to experience Little Light House.”
With an exponentially growing waitlist, it was incumbent to find a creative solution to serve these waiting families. The idea came from board member Kevin Gillis, who, during worship at church, saw a vision–an RV reaching families who couldn’t reach us. The image became a plan–and now, a reality. “Innovation is one of our core values,” said Molly, “and this is one of the most creative ways we’ve ever lived that out.”
Little Light House is affectionately called “the happiest place on earth” by parents, staff, volunteers and donors alike. With the Mobile Classroom now traveling to families, Kevin says it has inspired a new phrase among supporters: “the happiest place on wheels.”
“Our whole team helped build this,” said Waitlist & Outreach Coordinator Yadi Boykin, who has led the initiative, dissected the logistics, and collaborated with LLH staff and community supporters. Yadi added, “It’s incredible how much we were able to fit in there. Every piece of equipment was chosen to support developmental goals–every feature of the Mobile Classroom has a purpose.” Exterior features such as ramp extensions and lowered steps are also modified to fit the needs of students of all abilities, “so they feel a sense of independence, giving them the freedom to just be kids,” Yadi said.
Overseeing the program is Senior Director of Outreach, Brittany Gartner. “The Mobile Classroom will essentially be a fully-stocked classroom on wheels,” she said. Through enriching and purposeful class time, the program exists to create meaningful connections, foster community, and expand access to services for children with special needs–a reflection of the very heart of Little Light House.
The Mobile Classroom is staffed by a special education teacher, a rotating therapist, and additional staff, so families receive the support of a full transdisciplinary team in just one visit. It will travel to churches, community centers, and other organizations around Tulsa County. Yadi explained, “We’ll park, families will come in, and for an hour and a half, they’ll be immersed in intentional play, therapy strategies, and education through our Bible-based curriculum–all guided by our expert staff.” Additionally, families will be connected to other community resources as needed, strengthening the broader network of support for children with special needs throughout the city of Tulsa.
In the beginning, the Mobile Classroom conducted a trial with students enrolled in the Family Learning Center. In fall 2025, the program expanded to families on the waitlist through 90-minute weekly sessions. The schedule has now grown from six-week sessions to a 12-week semester after staff identified the need for more time with families. The goal is four children and their caregivers per session, though up to six families currently participate to allow flexibility when attendance varies. The program focuses on children ages 3–5 with autism, the leading diagnosis on the waitlist. The Mobile Classroom also appears at community events throughout the year.
“Everything we do feels so worth it even if it’s just for one kid,” Molly said. “But we’re dreaming big. In five years, I could see a fleet of Mobile Classrooms all over Oklahoma.”
As the Mobile Classroom rolls out, the heart behind it remains clear. Hope is exactly what the Mobile Classroom delivers. The Mobile Classroom says, “We see you. You matter.”
Little Light House extends special thanks to Camperland of Oklahoma for their support, involvement and hard work in helping make the Mobile Classroom possible, as well as to Integrity Customs for their expertise and craftsmanship in completing the custom modifications that brought the classroom to life.
