Sr Gloria from Oasis updates us on latest developments
Sr Gloria has had a widely varied career having taught in New York City schools for most of her life. She was in charge of Eva's village for ten years, taking up that position when she was 60 years old.
At 70 she still had an abundance of energy and was appointed to lead up the Oasis organization. Oasis is an off-shoot of Eva's kitchen where a group of women from Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes decided to start a new initiative focused on women. The organization is focused on two things: giving a 'Hand Out' and a 'Hand up'. This is done by serving breakfast and lunch every day and also providing clothing and furniture. However, this is combined with life skills and other training.
There are computer classes, English as a Second Language (ESL), classes on preparing Resumes and GED classes. There is an after school program that about 80 children attend for three hours every day and they are also given a hot meal.
There are two children centers to help when the women are getting educated. Volunteers take care of the babies and the mothers feel safe.
A Social Worker is on staff to provide domestic abuse advice where needed and an assessment is done for all the women coming into the center to determine how to best help them.
A full list of services is available here.
Sr Gloria paid particular tribute to the tremendous support from the Wyckoff YMCA which provides three days a week for free for the kids.
She challenged us that "When much is given, much is expected" both in terms of financial support but also the time that we make available to help others. We can support by visiting the center and helping out at any time or attending events like the Annual Golf Outing, which this year will be held at Ridgewood Country Club on June 9th.
Some Links:
Article on Sr Gloria when she took over Oasis
Annual Golf Outing Information
Below, Sr Gloria is with our President Elect, Emmy Eliya on the left and our President Tom Madigan on the right.
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