Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

OASIS Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary This Month

Story by Garrett Simmons

On April 4, 1978, 30 Watauga County residents met to discuss the issue of sexual and domestic violence in the High Country. The group, consisting of lawyers, nurses and public activists, had become increasingly aware of domestic violence in the community and were determined to take action against it.

That meeting marked the beginning of OASIS—Opposing Abuse with Services, Information, and Shelter.

OASIS Executive Director Jennifer Herman said that discussion on April 4 was remarkable because it defied the general public perceptions of the time. “Thirty years ago, domestic violence was considered private,” she said. “The topic was often passed off as a family issue without further discussion. The members of that group felt otherwise.”

Today OASIS operates on a $500,000 budget and has between 50 to 60 fully trained volunteers working around the clock. Its services include a 24-hour emergency response line, transitional support and a safe environment for survivors as they enter their new violence-free lives. OASIS also provides referrals for services related to housing, food and financial aid.

Herman said the reason for the organization’s success is clear. “For 30 years, OASIS has witnessed an outpouring of community support. It would not be what it is today without the generous help of its volunteers and donations.”

In fact, for the first five years of its existence, OASIS operated exclusively through volunteer efforts. “Those founding members were utterly determined in their efforts,” said Herman.

Their first step was developing a 24-hour crisis response system, a vital tool that is still in effect. OASIS answers approximately 64 calls every month, and in 2007 responded to more than 1,000 crisis and prevention calls.

Continually expanding its reach, OASIS now works within the school system to focus on prevention through education. “By addressing these issues early, it is possible to prevent future domestic violence,” said Herman. “We teach the importance of communication, boundaries and gender roles.”

This year, in celebration of its 30th birthday, OASIS, in partnership with W.A.M.Y. Community Action, is developing a new Family Resource Center in the former Blue Ridge Pediatrics building. The Watauga County Children’s Council will join W.A.M.Y. and OASIS at the new center. Herman recently learned that a grant she wrote in conjunction with Jennifer Wilson-Kearse, executive director of The Children’s Council, was awarded. The Janirve Foundation will provide $60,000 toward upfitting the new resource center.

Herman said the resource center is yet another example of the generosity of local citizens. “The Resource Center is the final piece needed to make OASIS a one stop shop for resource services,” said Herman. “And it simply would not have happened without donations. We can now offer clients help for every step of the process, from crisis intervention to the final stages of support.”

In the coming weeks, OASIS will host several events to increase awareness of sexual and domestic violence in Watauga County. High Country Press will announce these events and their dates in upcoming issues. For more information, contact Herman at Director@oasisinc.org or 828-264-1532.