What’s Oasis?

When I walked through the doors of the Oasis Center for the first time, I knew it wasn’t just another youth organization.

For starters, their office feels like an ad agency.  Original brick walls. Wood beams. High ceilings.  Lots of light.  The place had energy.

Then I learned what they’re about.  Or at least a little bit…they do so many positive things that it’s hard to take it all in.  Kind of like a Wonkaland of opportunity for youth.

Here are a few of the reasons why Jubilee supports Oasis:

  • Not Your Grandma’s Charity– The folks at Oasis are some of the most creative and innovative people you’ll meet.  They approach their jobs like entrepreneurs; developing innovative solutions to solve the problems facing Nashville’s youth.
  • On the Cutting Edge– The Oasis Center is nationally known for being one of the most innovative charities in the country. In fact, it was the first organization in the country to be recognized as a “Promise Place” by America’s Promise Alliance (the organization Colin Powell got behind after politics).
  • A Sense of Belonging- The Oasis Center provides at-risk teens with every opportunity they need to make positive changes in their lives (from a drop-in center for homeless teens to college counseling). The most important of those is a positive, adult role model who believes in them.  For some of those kids, it will be the first time they’ve ever been able to say “somebody cares about me”.  And that’s when the change begins.
  • Don’t Just Beat the Odds; Change the Odds- What makes Oasis special is that they don’t just help at-risk teens overcome their problems; they get teens involved in the community.  Those same kids who walk through the door end up working together to tackle the issues that led them to Oasis in the first place.   So while Oasis helped them beat the odds, they are helping change the odds for others.

The Oasis Center really is an amazing place.  But don’t just take my word for it.  Check out their website or better yet, schedule a tour at the Oasis office. That way you can see for yourself if the snozberries taste like snozberries.

Oasis Center
www.oasiscenter.org
1704 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37203
615-327-4455