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Pittsburgh OASIS Named 2007-2008 Center of Excellence
Widely recognized in the community for its vibrant programs and community outreach, Pittsburgh OASIS has been named a 2007-2008 Center of Excellence by the OASIS Institute. Pittsburgh OASIS is one of five centers in the country to be recognized for taking OASIS education and volunteer programs to a broader audience.
"We work hard to enrich our member's lives and provide opportunities for them to make an impact in the community," says director Gail Weisberg.
Working with churches, senior centers and libraries, Pittsburgh OASIS is reaching into new neighborhoods. For example, OASIS has offered Active Living Every Day at 11 community locations and Connections computer classes at six.
In 2005, the center received two prestigious awards recognizing its efforts - the Dominion Community Impact Award and the Allegheny County Medical Society Benjamin Rush Community Organization Health Service Award."Being recognized by those we serve says a great deal about the commitment of our volunteers and partners," Weisberg says.
Staying Active, Connected and Fulfilled
No matter what your goals are - better health, camaraderie, learning or contributing your talents - OASIS helps you fulfill them. And if you enjoyed taking a class, you might have even more fun teaching it. Rita Randal participated in Active Living Every Day two years ago and has been a facilitator ever since.
"I was fairly active before I retired five years ago," Randal says. "But, like many people, I 'excused myself from the table' when I stopped working and slowed considerably."
She now teaches the class and loves it. "This program is effective because it raises awareness of the simple, routine things we do each day that can add up to better health."
Randal agreed to be the lead volunteer for Active Generations, a project funded by a Wisdom Works grant from MetLife and the National Council on Aging. Through a collaboration with the CitiParks after-school program, the project aims to increase civic engagement and tackle childhood obesity by promoting healthy lifestyle habits. "Kids really respond when we encourage and spend time with them. I am excited about what we'll accomplish," Randal says.
OASIS tutors share her enthusiasm as they work with children in 26 schools in the Pittsburgh Public and Woodland Hills School Districts. Susan Sauer, Pittsburgh Public Schools curriculum supervisor, collaborates with OASIS to coordinate the program.
"We have extensive training for OASIS tutors, starting with an orientation to the district and program," Sauer says. "Throughout the year we offer interactive sessions with reading coaches and keep the classroom goals in front of volunteers to give them confidence."
Read about more OASIS Centers of Excellence.