Dear Oasis Friends,

This month, we celebrate our 30th year as Washington Metro Oasis.

I have had the honor of being your center’s director for the past 11 years, and I could not dream of a better team to work with every day: Leah Russi, our incredible Operations Manager and our most seasoned staff with 15 years of service, choreographs our essential day-to-day business and much more with such grace; Janice Pliner, our exceptional Program Manager, never ceases to amaze me with the repertoire of classes she has produced and scheduled these past 10 years; and our newest addition, Kathleen McDaniel is masterfully managing the Intergenerational Tutoring program creatively in tandem with our dedicated corps of tutor volunteers.  All of our volunteers are special and bring their unique talents to their roles at Oasis. We toast to all of you.

Though there is much to celebrate – I’ve found it difficult to be celebratory due to the horrific news in the world and searching for an answer to “why” we aren’t in a better place in time. Why is there so much hatred and violence?  I find solace in the brave volunteers and humanitarian efforts, and the acts of kindness at a time of despair.
You, my Oasis family, continue to be inspirational, giving me solace and encouragement to strengthen our mission-driven purpose at Oasis for another thirty years. Thank you.

Anna Stokes