Oasis, a non-profit educational organization for seniors, has a new home.
The Junior League of Tucson, Inc., donated classroom and office space after learning that Oasis needed to find at least 2,500 square feet. Oasis had used space in Macy's at El Con Mall, 3601 E. Broadway, until the store's closure was announced.
Oasis was nearing its Feb. 23 deadline to move out when Junior League President Amy Bhola asked her members if they would agree to allow Oasis to use the League's large headquarters building at 2099 E. River Road, which was largely empty during the day, save for an office manager.
Members, who hold an annual rummage sale fundraiser, enthusiastically agreed, working around the clock to move out rummage stacked floor-to-ceiling in the classrooms.
The space, just east of Campbell Avenue, includes a large meeting room, a small reception area, a board room and two classrooms.
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George Iglesias, interim executive director for Oasis, said the staff was relieved to find a suitable home. The move will allow more flexibility in the schedule, since previously, classes had to fall within regular store hours.
Iglesias emphasized that although classes are at the Junior League, classes will also be sprinkled throughout the community as well, to reach a larger segment of the senior population.
The collaboration works particularly well given that the Junior League changed its focus last year from helping women and children to assisting independent seniors, from cleaning yards in disrepair to meeting more social needs.
"We found we have so many people coming into this age group, especially with the baby boomers aging. Oasis is a fantastic program, and it really meets the needs of what we're hoping to do," Bhola said.
What was a formerly quiet office now "has all this hustle and bustle and seniors coming in and out. One hour they're working on computer classes and the next they're doing a yoga class," Bhola said. "It's been a perfect match."
For class info
For information on Oasis class schedules, call 322-5627 or 322-5607.
