Oasis of Love, Inc.

Mission

The mission of OASIS is to: REDUCE incidences of family violence; STRENGTHEN family structures deteriorated by abuse; ENCOURAGE women to take necessary steps to protect themselves spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially; STOP the pattern of violent family interaction and the transmission of this pattern to successive generations; and RAISE awareness in and provide information to churches about the dynamics of family violence.

Programs

Following are the details of OASIS' specific programs. MARPÉ WOMEN'S SUPPORT GROUP Marpé is a Greek word meaning remedy for inner healing. Women 18 years of age and older who have experienced relationship abuse (mental, emotional, sexual, verbal, financial, spiritual, and/or physical) participate in structured support groups, individual sessions, and advocacy. The group meets for nine weeks (Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.). ALUMNAE WOMEN'S SUPPORT GROUP This monthly support group is offered to women who have completed the Marpé nine-week program. SEASONED WOMEN SUPPORT GROUP This monthly support groups is offered to mature women who desire to address relationship abuse in a self-help format. IN HIM-MEN'S GROUP This structured program is offered to men who have been abusive or violent with their partners. The structured program offers participants an assessment, orientation, 15 weeks of group work (45 hours), three individual sessions, and aftercare for three months. Men are required to focus on accountability and responsibility. This group meets Mondays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and daytime groups are now available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. KIDS ENDING RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE (K.E.R.V.) These violence prevention groups are for school-aged youth who are trained as peer leaders in non-violent interactions. The principles of leadership are used to promote peace, safety, and respect. K.E.R.V. ZONE is for students in fourth through 12th grades which meets in a school with Oasis staff for one class period one day each week for six weeks. Focus group activities have resulted in violence prevention strategies that involve the entire school. FAMILIES IN THE ROUND This inter-generational, violence-prevention program for families of school-aged children develops early intervention and primary violence prevention strategies. Families gather as teams to develop strategies for peace- keeping and conflict-resolution. They meet twice a week for eight weeks with mentors from the business community. OASIS' KIDSPLACE (OK) This program provides support, advocacy, short-term counseling, home-based follow-up, and referrals for children who have witnessed family violence. OK conducts age-specific support groups for children and youth, ages two through teens, once a week for nine weeks, three times a year. These sessions run concurrently with the Marpé support groups and are conducted by trained, experienced facilitators who are also children's advocates, perform home-based follow-up, participate on family teams to represent the interests of the child during family mediation and reunification. AGAPE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER This 24-hour preschool and child development center offers intergenerational programs that involve infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children, and their families in the north and near-north communities of Minneapolis. Agape's focuses on building a bridge between the community and the childcare industry by constructing effective programs that address the developmental needs of inner-city children in their formative years. The school provides a developmental, preparatory program for children, adult literacy programs, family childcare providers, and educational workshops about parenting, home budgeting, behavior management, renter's rights, and home-buying. VOLUNTEER TRAINING Community residents and workers are offered a 22-hour training course in crisis intervention, victim support services, advocacy, and other volunteer tasks. Group leader apprenticeships are offered to volunteers who have met training requirements. FAITH COMMUNITY NON-VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP Training materials, information, referrals, and resources are available to the African American faith community in St. Paul and Minneapolis through an Oasis project, partially funded by a federal grant. Materials and training are free to faith community leaders and congregations, childcare and human service organizations.