Celebrates silver anniversary with ‘Center of Excellence’ recognition
By Meliqueica Meadows
Of the St. Louis American
For 25 years, OASIS has been serving St. Louis-area mature adults with services and programs to help them maintain their health and connection to society. And, as a highlight to mark the organization’s silver anniversary, the St. Louis OASIS program was recently named a Center of Excellence.
St. Louis has one of 26 OASIS locations in 23 states nationwide. OASIS serves nearly 100,000 members in the St. Louis and Alton, IL area with a broad range of programs in the arts, humanities, health, technology and volunteering. That broad and dynamic range of programming is what earned the center top honors from the national OASIS Institute, making it one of only five centers in the nation to receive the honor.
“Older adults who are involved tend to stay healthier,” local OASIS director Barbara Turkington said. “Studies show that you can improve your life by taking small steps, like walking instead of driving to the grocery store and changing the way you eat and the way you look at exercise.”
The way OASIS encourages older residents to make some of these lifestyle changes is through partnerships with local organizations like the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club and grants from institutions like BJC Healthcare.
“One of the greatest programs we have is through our partnership with Herbert Hoover,” said Turkington.
“We use funds from the BJC grant and a grant from AT&T to provide computer classes for older adults. Some of them have never used a computer before, so there’s always a waiting list and it’s always full.”
In addition to computer classes, older residents have the opportunity to participate in volunteer activities as well as enhance their health and wellness.
“OASIS allows older adults to continue to participate in their health, enlightenment and learning.” Turkington said. “And it gives them an opportunity to continue to be involved in the things around them.”
Another program that garnered the national honor for St. Louis OASIS is its intergenerational tutoring program. Turkington said the program “allows older adults to work with children” in grades kindergarten through third. She added that it is one of the organization’s most popular programs.
“We’re in 36 school districts in the St. Louis metropolitan area and about 250 schools,” Turkington said. “We have nearly 2,000 tutors who volunteer one day a week to tutor and mentor students.”
The OASIS St. Louis intergenerational tutoring program is the largest in the country and reaches more than 3,400 students a year.
OASIS also provides services for adults over 50 with developmental disabilities.
“There’s something here for everyone,” said Turkington.
Older St. Louis residents can also become involved in the community through the Person to Person peer support program, where group leaders facilitate discussion groups for individuals coping with health problems, loss or loneliness. OASIS works with BJC Healthcare, Lutheran Senior Services and St. Andrews Resources for Seniors to train local residents as program facilitators in more than 20 neighborhood locations.
“All our centers are making a significant difference in people’s lives,” said Marcia Kerz, OASIS Institute president.
“But St. Louis is an example of one that is really pushing to reach deeper in the community and make a greater impact.”
OASIS is a national education organization that strengthens communities by providing lifelong learning and service opportunities that inspire mature adults to pursue vibrant, healthy, productive and meaningful lives. For more information, call the Center of Clayton at (314) 863-1632 or visit www.oasisnet.org.