There's room at the inn for 2011!  Our Board of Directors has approved month to month rental, funds permitting, of a townhouse capable of housing two women and their children.  The perfect rental unit has been identified.  A search is underway for the two families we will house as I write.   Two families have donated considerable furnishings to basically outfit the home.  Additional furnishings needed, especially white goods and household supplies, will be announced when we know exactly the ages of our new residents.  We hope that you'll consider making a donation - even a small one - to our funding so that this home can be kept available to these families, for up to two years if needed, as they develop in the areas of self-sufficiency, mutual accountability, and community responsibility.  If you have time to mentor in any way, to be a friend to these women and children, ask for a volunteer application.  It's the right thing to do. 

in faith, Cathy

When God finished each day of creation, the story goes, God looked at what had been made and "proclaimed it good".  That's original grace.  In my religious upbringing, I heard far more about what I might do in my lifetime or was doing right now as a consequence of original sin, wrongdoing against the creator and the creation.  Wrongdoing from which I must be saved.  No question the human race, and yours truly, have engaged in a goodly share of wrongdoing.  Whatever happened to "original grace" -  the state of being in which and for which we were made?

OASIS of NWA proclaims original grace as a primary tenet in our community rule.  We believe that all of us - residents, volunteers, supporters, donors, partners -  were created good.     To think of oneself as good is new to some of us.  To be able to say "Life is good" is new to some of us.  Not only new, but a challenge.  It's a challenge worth pursuing for no one has to be defined by that which is wrong or in any way less than good. Like the news networks and corporate marketers who are celebrating today's "heroes" and the growing culture of generosity,  the OASIS community will always be appreciating, celebrating, and contributing to goodness by who we are and what we are doing.   Join us....it will be good for you and you'll be good for us!

in faith, Cathy

What are the communal values/rules by which you operate in your life and work?  In my personal home, consisting of three adults, we have many shared unspoken values such as mutual respect, honesty, forgiveness, generosity, cooperation, etc.  We have agreements in a few areas (financing, common meals, housekeeping) instead of rules.  Fortunately, we trust each other well enough that this loosely structured community works for us.  As OASIS of NWA prepares to take on women  and open houses, we've decided to start out using the community rule developed by clients and staff at Magdalene/Thistle Farms, our mentor.

The first tenet of that rule is "Come Together".  OASIS homes will have a regular gathering time daily for inspiration and sharing.  Growing in ability to work together, to share, to care, and to trust will be a key to our success.  The old adage "Two heads are better than one" comes to mind.  Jesus pointed to the spiritual synergy of community when he said "Whenever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there."  Whether it's in a partnership, a marriage, a family, or a community, "coming together" is a means by which something new is created that is different than just the sum of the individuals in that relationship.
 
Mutual accountability will be the process by which the OASIS of NWA community will flourish.  I will ask you, and you can ask me, how it's going for you with life according to our community rule?  We will encourage each other in keeping our covenant agreement. If the rule needs tweaking in our setting, we'll discover that together. We will develop what I call humble pride, the inner knowledge that by bringing ourselves to the community just as we are and giving our best effort, we have ownership in what the community becomes. 

If you are interested in coming together with other women and men volunteering and contributing to help the OASIS of NWA transitional community project for recovering women and their children, call 479-619-6063, and or email oasisofnwa@sbcglobal.net  We'd love to hear from you. 

in faith, Cathy

How do we know when to begin accepting clients?  We've been waiting until a certain amount of money is raised, or a major grant has been obtained, or a dwelling has been rented, or, or, or....   Every "excuse" is a good and reasonable one. 

Yet clients keep knocking on our door needing a home, wanting a new start, seeking a hand up not hand out.  We could turn them all away.  Or maybe we can take a step in faith.  That's where we are today.  Ready to step out in faith.  Set to accept a client. Go!

If we have enough donations and pledges by May 1st, we're going to give one of those young women wanting to make a new start her opportunity. Consider making a donation right now.  We're setting up a paypal account for your convenience.  Make a difference.  Tell your friends.  Ready? Set? Go!

in faith, Cathy

The previous blog on this site was posted nearly a year ago.  You're probably wondering what we've been up to in the meantime.  Last spring I experienced the frightfulness and stress of homelessness being suffered by my 94 year old mother.  Dementia-related behaviors led to her expulsion from two different care centers with bouts in the mental illness emergency ward of a hospital in between.  The threat of homelessness was not a new experience for me, but still the emotional trauma boiled up from within as I sought out solutions to her plight.  She passed away a few weeks later after finally settling into hospice care. 

During this time, our 20 year old son left for the US Navy and my mother-in-law  accepted our long-standing invitation to share our home. The summer was a mixture of transition, gentle grief, and restoration for my soul.  I find that my resolve to continue doing whatever I can to serve others facing homelessness has not waned.

In September, Rev. Donna Huie officially became a partner in giving volunteer leadership to OASIS.  We've worked on a variety of next steps regarding board development, grant-writing and other funding options, and investigated possible property acquistion.  Recently Donna received training that may help us to receive funding for services provided to eligible clients.  In January 2011, we received $518 from the Bella Vista Chapter of AARP for work at the Recycling Center.  Just last week, I recieved a call from a rental home owner who wondered if we have any prospective tenants ready to move in.

We're excited about the special focus group meeting on Feb 18th where we can let you know more about next steps for OASIS of NWA! Hope to see you there.  in faith, Cathy