Volunteer Spotlight:

Gary Cahn

If you glance back through Oasis class catalogs, you might think Gary is a team of instructors rather than one man. Investing. Computers. Gardening. Bridge. Even Figure Skating Appreciation. But spend just a few minutes with him, and it becomes clear. Gary is a true lifelong learner and passionate about sharing what he knows, simply because he enjoys it.

“I teach things I’ve been interested in,” Gary says. “There’s no deeper connection than that. The classes don’t have much to do with each other—they’re just things I’ve learned and wanted to pass on.”

Originally an elementary school teacher, Gary’s journey into teaching began right after graduating from Tufts University. He’s since taught at Montgomery College and continues to offer a wide array of classes at Oasis.

“My goal is simple. Help people walk away knowing a little more than they did when they came in,” he explains. “That’s it. No complicated mission.”

While he is quick to downplay his role, Gary’s impact is felt far and wide. His diverse course offerings and approachable teaching style have made him a favorite among students and staff. Whether someone is curious about online selling or just wants to dig into a niche hobby, Gary likely has a class for it, or is open to starting one.

He first connected with Oasis many years ago and doesn’t quite remember how it all began. “It’s been a long time,” he laughs, “but it just grew from there.”

In addition to the many teaching roles that Gary has filled at Oasis over the years, he is also the founder and driving force behind the RecycleMyComputer program. Through this endeavor, Gary refurbished donated computers and provided them to low-income adults in the Washington Metro area. RecycleMyComputer came to an end earlier this year but during its time, over 1100 computers were provided to seniors in need. Thank you Gary for this monumental achievement!

We’re proud to honor Gary during our April Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have Gary as part of the Oasis community. His curiosity, generosity, and quiet dedication embody the spirit of lifelong learning—and the heart of volunteerism.

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Share Your Time and Talents: Volunteer with Oasis!

Volunteers are at the heart of all we do at Oasis. We are currently seeking volunteers to work at the Oasis front desk as well as to help us execute our social media and marketing efforts. Interested in learning more? Click on the buttons below to see descriptions for each of these roles. You can also email Leah Russi to learn more.