Oasis, the African initiatives Torch Bearer

Oasis, the African initiatives Torch Bearer

By: Mr. Morris Akinfolarin

Oasis Executive Director

After sixteen years of non-interruptive operations couple with hard, commitment and determination, a non-profit organization sole managed by African has been successful in supporting and encouraging youth development and leadership; enhancing multi-cultural Awareness education, recognition and appreciation. It also succeeded in providing an environment for economic opportunity and education; increasing health education; and maintaining an African community summer bash program. It is the torch bearer of African initiative in Rhode Island.

That organization is Oasis international, which mission is to “promote cultural, health wellness and to facilitate community economic empowerment with emphasis on youth leadership development” Oasis International is a non-profit, 501(c) (3), organization serving the African immigrant Community and the low-income neighborhood of West End, Elmwood, Upper Southwest Providence, Lower Southwest Providence, and Washington Park.

Oasis International started in 1992, as an effort to identify and maintain an infrastructure for professional development for its members. Through the exchange of technical information, general business assistance, and the promotion of cultural activities, it has evolved of a non-profit organization dedicated to long-term social exchange, cultural and economic development in our neighborhoods.

It was acutely aware of the limitations to capital and the absence of economic development within our community. These limitations are particularly glaring among the recent immigrants and the low-income that are significant portions of our population.

Since its inception, Oasis International (OI) has had considerable successes. In 1993 Oasis International laid out a long-term economic development strategic road map for the Southwest of Providence. Based on the staff own experiences and the residents, they set out on an economic development mission that will have a profound impact on the community – to build a healthy community with an economic knowledge. The successes of the plan depend on taking necessary steps and staying focus for many years, with community participation and commitment.

After six year of hard work and support from everyone, the community now owns a credit union, which opened for operation in 1998-- the first community based NCUA chartered, “low-income” designated credit union in the history of the State of Rhode Island. More than a victory for Oasis International, the Credit Union is a victory for the neighborhood. It has become a permanent fixture and reference point for the community and a new attitude that we can truly solve some of our problems. But finally close it door after five year of operations due to lack of community active investment.

In 1993, the organization laid out ways to enhance the cultural diversity within the community and the preservation of the traditional cultures. The results have been outstanding – it has set in motion the reduction of misunderstanding that plagues the immigrants in Rhode Island. It has also provided opportunity to educate the people of Rhode Island that some cultures that appear strange to American are normal in other cultures. It has also made it possible to pass on history to our growing youth population.

In the last Sixteen years, Oasis International has conducted successful series of educational and cultural activities a) Youth education and development program (mentoring) usually starts in April/May

b) Annual African Summer Bash Activities - - June/July/ August) Annual Cultural and African Gala fund raising event - - August/September, October and November.

These programs combine economic literacy education, health education and culture for the youth.

Governance of Oasis International

The governance structure of Oasis International organization provides a comfortable balance of local understanding and professional expertise. The Board of Directors provides input from four ethnic languages and ten cultural backgrounds. Together with the Advisory Board, they offer professional know-how in engineering, small business operations, computer technology, health care, arts and culture, building trades, law, youth education, administration, and the religious community. The vast majority of them live within the target neighborhood. The board of directors and advisory board devote a considerable amount of volunteer time to Oasis International. They are responsible for community outreach, the Annual Cultural Event, the Oasis newsletter quarterly publications, youth mentoring, program development and fundraising.

The Oasis International is located at 600 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02907.