Thousands of dedicated volunteers enjoy serving their community through OASIS. A few of their stories are here - click the links to learn more about each one. We encourage you to share your own OASIS volunteer story with us!
Gloria Curtis brings people and OASIS together
Venture into the Clayton OASIS center in St. Louis and you might see Gloria in action. She's that smiling face at the desk checking in students for classes, but she wears many more hats at OASIS.
"Every person is gifted. What a person can be, he ought to be," says Gladys Barker, coordinator of the Contemporary Issues discussion series in St. Louis for more than 25 years. OASIS depends on thousands of volunteers like Gladys to pursue its mission of enriching lives and strengthening communities. They assume key roles at every level, tutoring children, welcoming participants, teaching classes, planning programs, managing daily operations, building community awareness and more.
Lee Courtnage helps veterans tell their stories
There are stories out there that need to be told and they need to be told soon, before the opportunity is lost forever. This sense of urgency isn't lost on Lee, a retired special education professor, who wants to hear and record what our aging veterans have to say, especially those who witnessed and lived through World War II.
Loretta Davis knows when It's time to take a break
Loretta teaches the ExerStart program at Dunn Road Manor in St. Louis, an affordable housing development of Lutheran Senior Services. Twice a week, she leads her class of dedicated students in low-impact aerobics. 
Christine Gonzalez blazes a new path to bring OASIS to her community
What do you get when you mix a group of older adults, a public library and a chocolate tasting class? What you get, says this head librarian in San Diego, is a thriving community center that welcomes outside-of-the-box thinking.
Barbara Groneck 'feeds her soul' as a volunteer with special people
Working for a university nursing program, helping medical students schedule time at community health clinics, and finding housing for international graduate students were some of the jobs Barbara handled as administrative secretary for a local university. So when she retired, her desire to help others and enjoy people fit with the OASIS mission. 
Jack Houseworth helps people realize their potential
"The stereotype for an older person has changed dramatically, and OASIS is helping to change it," says Jack, a retired architect and instructor in Syracuse. "OASIS members enjoy learning and growing together. You feel like you are accomplishing something here."
Emily Lovberg helps people build computer skills
You might call her a computer guru, but Emily understands how unnerving computers can be for someone trying to learn how to use one for the first time. "It's like trying to learn how to ride a bike and speak French at the same time," she says.
Irene Lira inspires her neighbors
"I want to see your feet moving!" says Irene with a smile. One might think she is talking to a group of dancers or her 14 grandkids. Not so. Irene leads exercise classes with adults who are a good 10, 20, even 30 years older than she. 
Dian Odell breaks down computer phobias
The steady stream of new and returning students in Dian's computer classes show the value of her approach to training. "I love teaching the 'intro' courses for people who say 'either I am going to throw my computer from a bridge or I am going to jump.'"
Don Piller brings "OASIS to You"
After retiring from a job as a professional trainer and consultant, Don found that he really missed teaching people. He looked around for a new opportunity to fill that role and found it at OASIS in Escondido.
Lucille Rabinowitz inspires a love of dancing in fifth graders
When Lucille moved from New York to San Diego she looked for ways to get involved in the community. She volunteered as an OASIS tutor in the Poway school district, and then thought "What else can I do?"
Dorothy Rossi's students are fired up!
"The participants in my classes are so enthusiastic, I can't give them enough information," says Dorothy Rossi, a volunteer OASIS instructor in Rochester, New York. This Renaissance women teaches one day each week at OASIS, offering classes ranging from Egyptology and mythology to Latin -- including a specialty Latin class for master gardeners. 
Jerry Rothman helps people tell their stories
A true lifelong learner, Jerry Rothman is always seeking out new activities. Curious about volunteer opportunities, he made an appointment with the St. Louis OASIS volunteer manager to find out what was available. One of the opportunities was the Oral History Program where people record their memories and life stories on video for their loved ones.
Read about some of our OASIS Tutors.