The Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program is more than a tutoring program—it encompasses the components of tutoring, mentoring, and relationship building. Our Oasis volunteers serve many roles—as tutors, friends, and mentors—and they all depend on building a positive and supporting relationship with their students. The mentorship benefits both the mentor and the student.

There are many proven benefits to students in a mentoring partnership: improvement in academic performance, improvement in study habits, increase in self-esteem, development of critical thinking skills, improvement in social skills, increasing a growth mindset of meeting challenges and rising above them, and receiving customized feedback on efforts.

But the mentorship also benefits the older adult! Mentors learn about themselves, improve their interpersonal skills, develop empathy, and gain a deeper understanding of today’s youth and their unique problems. Most importantly, mentors gain a sense of accomplishment by positively impacting the life of another person- experiencing the process of helping a youth achieve his/ her potential. A mentor is often a student’s number one influence against poor choices.

Mentors are just as important to the school districts. While Oasis Tutors focus on their students, they also build relationships with the classroom teachers. Many feel they are working in partnership with the teacher in encouraging and supporting the students. Oasis tutors have been one of the first partners invited back into the school buildings post-pandemic and are often referred to as “essential” members of the school community.

If you would like to serve as an Oasis MENTOR to a student in Kindergarten-3^rd grade, Complete an online application at https://tutoring.oasisnet.org/become-a-tutor/

Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had a real positive influence in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living- if you do well, I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing you the way. A mentor. —Denzel Washington

Celebrating our Volunteers

There are not enough words to describe what Oasis Tutors missed out on when schools abruptly ended last March.  Oasis tutors work throughout the school year with students who are struggling with reading skills.  This work often leads to a connection and relationship that is deeply valued by both tutor and student.   Tutors see their impact on the child’s life in the big smiles and excited eyes when they come to take them to their session.  To have that suddenly end was devastating for them and their students.  But out of adversity came innovation and Oasis tutors were not willing to just step back.

Beginning in the Summer of 2020, over 30 brave tutors learned a new way of tutoring.  Trainings were held to teach them how to use the Zoom meeting platform and Epic! Reading, an online book source to read and talk with students virtually.  Learning this new way of connecting through a screen was not easy and their perseverance spoke to their dedication to continue their important service in any way possible.  However, once they figured out that they could do it there was no stopping them, and more tutors signed up to join in the efforts.  By January, over 60 tutors had been trained and were beginning to work in school districts throughout the country.  This accomplishment and the confidence it gave them made connecting with the students easier.  One tutor said that virtual tutoring, “Gave me the opportunity to help kids maintain their reading skills in uncertain times” and another expressed, “I love talking to kids one-on-one. This program allowed me to do that safely during a pandemic, so I’m grateful.”  To see that not only were they willing but that they were enjoying the work as well was deeply touching.

Of course, Oasis Tutoring could not just stop there.  Finding a way for those tutors less confident in their technology skills became a priority.  Postal Pals was created as a way for tutors to connect through the grand art of letter writing.  Through the school, students and tutors write letters back and forth.  Students love receiving letters from the tutors as it is not something that happens every day.  So, through an almost forgotten practice came a new way of helping children build their literacy skills.

School districts that have welcomed back tutors virtually have also applauded their work and the value it brings to the student.  Stacy Butz, a district representative in the Ladue School District, said that the Postal Pal program, “improves students’ written expression by writing letters to a volunteer Oasis tutor.  Plus, it brightens the tutors’ and students’ day when they receive a handwritten letter. This program has provided a way for our tutors to stay connected to our school community during this pandemic.”

All of these pivots coupled with the continued hard work of the tutors has proven that they are not just your everyday tutors, they are Guardians of Literacy.  Their desire to reach the students who need them now more than ever pushed them to overcome their fears and find a way.   As we move forward into a post-pandemic world, these guardians will undoubtedly continue to do what needs to be done.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a tutor with Oasis, contact your local Oasis center or click here to learn more.

Written by Stephanie McCreary, Oasis Tutoring, RSVP Grant Manager

While 2020 was memorable for many reasons—one of the highlights for the Oasis Institute was the addition of two AmeriCorps VISTAs to our staff!

AmeriCorps VISTA members build capacity in nonprofit organizations across the country to help them more effectively generate the commitment of private sector resources, encourage volunteer service at the local level, and empower individuals and communities. Oasis was fortunate to have two amazing recent college graduates join the health and tutoring teams as VISTAs in the middle of such an extraordinary year.

Haley Eschbacher joined the national Oasis health team in June of 2020. Haley chose to serve with Oasis because

“I am passionate about the population Oasis’ serves. My Grandma suffers from Alzheimer’s and she’s my best friend. I enjoy working with the elderly and Oasis gave me a way to do that. I am thankful that I can be a part of the important work that Oasis is doing right now, especially during a global pandemic. We are able to help people feel less lonely while also educating them on ways in which they can live healthier lives. Serving at Oasis enables me to gain important job skills I can use in the future while also facilitating me to work with a population I am so passionate about, and for that I am truly grateful.”

Bailey McCoy is currently serving with the Oasis Tutoring team. She graduated from Missouri State University in May of 2020 in Elementary Education. Bailey originally came to Oasis as a Summer Associate, and then accepted a full-time position serving Oasis as a VISTA. Bailey shares,

“I chose to work with Oasis because I could use my knowledge in education and gain experience teaching outside of a classroom setting. I have learned many lessons and important skills. The tutors want to work with their students so badly that they would do anything to be with them. I helped develop an online training allowing the tutors to meet with their students virtually and am spending some enjoyable days practicing the tutoring process to help build their confidence on this new platform. The next step in my career is to become a classroom teacher in the St. Louis area. I love teaching elementary-aged children. They have such amazing personalities and imaginations. I hope to be able to have Oasis tutors in my classroom next year!”

Both Haley and Bailey were instrumental in helping Oasis pivot our health and intergenerational tutoring programming to virtual models and continue to serve older adults during an unprecedented year.

We currently have two additional fulltime AmeriCorps VISTA positions open at the Oasis Institute offices in St. Louis—a Program Coordinator with the Oasis Connections team and Marketing/Tech Coordinator. These positions are a great fit for a recent marketing, nonprofit management, computer science, or communications college graduate interested in furthering their career in the nonprofit sector. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full time for one-year terms. The positions are not salaried, but members receive a stipend to cover living expenses and an education award upon completion of the program. More information about the benefits of serving as an AmeriCorps member can be found here.