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"Connecting the threads of Oasis"
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July 2009 |
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Greetings!
Welcome to our first online issue of Volunteer Connection! As Oasis continues to experience record growth in volunteers (we now have 160 volunteers registered), I think it is important that we find a way to stay in touch and link all divisions. Most of our volunteers only know about the area in which they work, i.e. food pantry, thrift store, career center or fundraising. This vehicle will educate us about all the wonderful work that you all do and how it intertwines and affect each department. You will be surprised!
As you read each issue, you will hear how one person's positive action in one area. greatly affected the outcome and result in another area. We are all working toward the same goal so let's connect through this media and get to meet each other.
Update: Our mailout campaign for funds was generously supported by volunteers, staff, donors and the community at large. Oasis is not fully out of the woods, but we are greatly encouraged by God's faithfulness. Please keep on praying that of the 8 grants that we wrote this year, we will be successful with the majority, if not all of them. Many thanks to all who gave to this appeal and to those who have been faithfully giving all year long. Special thanks to Boynton Beach Community Church and Palm Beach Baptist Church for dedicating and giving one of their Sunday church offerings to Oasis. We are grateful for partners like these. Please click on Making a Difference on our website to see what so many others are doing, including kids!
I love and appreciate all of you and sincerely thank you for your impact on Oasis.
Sharon
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 Kravis Center Gala October 24th!
Our board of directors have unanimously agreed to make tickets available to volunteers and their guests for $100.00 per person. Even though it is more expensive than last year, this offer is fifty dollars below the selling price and we will make no profits on these volunteer tickets. To take advantage of this offer however, tickets must be purchased by August 30th. After that date, all tickets will be sold for $150.00 each. Please click on the link below for more information on this exciting event.
Gala Latest News
Oasis has a very talented team of 20 volunteers who work specifically on all our events. They do an amazing job for each event and work tirelessly to make it a success. Our sponsorship sub committee through their connections, were able to get Democratic State Senator, Dave Aronberg and Republican State Senator, Jeff Atwater to agree to be the honorary co-chairs for this year's event. Oasis believes in partnerships and teamwork and we are thrilled to have both of these senators as part of our fundraising celebration. Gala Latest News
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What's Up at the Career Center!
Meet Sondra Mansour, one of our Oasis clients who is benefiting from our program and the great care that all of us has given her. Sondra wrote a letter that is posted on our website under our new Success Stories tab, Success Story
Our Career Center offers many opportunities for clients to get on their feet. We have a job counselor, Tonya Meese who meets with several clients each week to assist with resume writing, job preparation and job search. Tonya works very closely with Greyni Reynoso, our intake counselor, to ensure that the goals that we set for our clients are followed upon.
We have established a Thank You board in our Career Center where we post letters and cards that our grateful clients send to us. I will use this medium to publicize one each month.
Please remember that the kindest thing we can do for our clients, is NOT to enable them to continue on the path they are on, but instead to EMPOWER them to reach for something bigger. The Career Center is the hub of these types of activities. We also have several counselors available to our clients, including mental, marriage and biblical counselors. This is offered FREE of charge!
Counseling by professionals is very expensive and we are blessed to have so many counselors at Oasis' disposal. If you know a client who could benefit from counseling, please refer them to Greyni at the Career Center.
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Food Pantry Happenings!
God has greatly blessed us in the food pantry this year. We are half way through the summer and compared to last year, we are very well stocked! This is due in large part to our partnerships with various churches. Boynton Beach Community Church donates food monthly as part of its Stop Hunger Project. Community Christian Church will be kicking off their Mission Impossible Food Drive in August. Their goal is to top their last goal of 3000 pounds and go for 5000 pounds! Way to go CCC! CCC is shown in the picture delivering their monthly Angel Food allotment to one of 10 families each month.
We are also thankful for the produce we receive each Thursday from Whole Foods Market, thanks to our partnership with Palm Beach Harvest. We also receive produce from East Coast Farms when available.
Note to Pantry Front Desk Volunteers: First of all, thank you for being on the front lines, we know it can be challenging as well as rewarding! Please remember to check the notes in ACT and if a client is suspended for lack of class attendance, you are authorized to distribute bread and pastries, but you are to promptly refer them to the Career Center, so they can get back in compliance with the program. Giving them groceries only solve a short term problem but does not help them in the long run. When we allow clients to partake of the benefits of the program without doing their part, we are reinforcing bad behaviors and irresponsibility, and not truly helping them. I know its hard to say no, but please read the notes. You may find that this is an habitual behavior.
Finally, please remember to document every interaction with the client in ACT. It helps us to make informed decisions. Thanks again for being a frontliner!
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Thrift Store News!
The thrift store now has its own website Oasis Thrift Shop which gives information of upcoming sales and our newly established thrift store membership program.
Please remember that all proceeds from the thrift store go toward funding Oasis. We would love to see revenues increase by 50% by the end of the year. We need your help to continue spreading the word to your friends and neighbors. We have great items at bargain prices!
And don't forget, all eligible Oasis clients are able to get free clothing from our Thrift Store, including complete interviewing attire. Clients are also given deep discounts or free merchandise in some cases, on items such as beds if they are in need.
If you have not already done so, stop in and say hello soon!
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Message
- Last month we had 500 client visits to our Food Panrty
- Approximately 50 new families registered, many facing evicitions
- We are gettng more requests for biblical counseling due to the high rate of depression and hopelessness.
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Board Member News
Oasis welcomes its newest board member in July, Peter Cooke, a practicing attorney at the lawfirm of Adams Coogler Watson and Merkel. Peter brings several years of board experience and serves on the board fundraising committee. Welcome Peter! We are glad to have you on board.
Please visit the About Us section on our website to meet our other great board members.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Dan Baker is our volunteer in the spotlight for our premiere issue. I have personally observed Dan's great dedication and "can do" attitude for the last 2 years. Dan is our volunteer computer teacher on Thursday mornings, almost every Thursday for close to two years!
Dan's great attitude is an inspiration to all of us who work with him in the Career Center. It does not matter if Dan only has one student in class, he gives it the same amount of interest and attention. Dan has an illness that keeps him wheelchair bound most of the time, BUT he never complains!! Dan also sings on the choir at his church every week.
Thank you Dan, for showing us what staying power and true grit looks like!
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Quick Links Please visit our website often for the latest happenings. Refer our website to a friend. Also, please consider designating Oasis on your company's United Way matching contributions! It makes a difference.
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Our Vision
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To be known as an organization that has a positive spiritual and economical impact on our local community.
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Our Mission
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Oasis Compassion Agency is committed to showing God's love in practical
ways by addressing the physical and spiritual needs of the less
fortunate in Palm Beach County.
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| Contact Information |
4888 10th Ave. North * Greenacres, FL 33463 * 561-967-4066
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Save 33% |
Book your gala tickets early! This will be a great event as we award four deserving companies/individuals with the annual Compassionate Spirit Awards in the categories of Major Gifts, In-Kind Giving, Outstanding Volunteer and Oasis Person of the Year!
The food is being catered by the Breakers Hotel on Palm Beach!!! You won't want to miss it! Tickets $100.00 per person.
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Offer Expires: August 30, 2009
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