What’s your oasis?
Is it working with your hands, moving paintbrush over paper? Is it moving your body, learning a new step? Perhaps your happy place is found more simply: connecting with friends over a cup of tea.
The volunteers at the Oasis Center in Orcutt have found their respective passions over the course of decades. Together, they are sharing their skills with the community, free of charge.
Oasis independent painter instructor Vora Souza, 80, is adamant that anyone can harness the power of creativity. She didn’t start painting until she was in her 30s.
“Anyone can start at anytime,” Souza said during a recent phone interview. Her voice was hoarse due to a bout of nasty strep throat, yet she continued to sing the center’s praises.
“I’ve painted for 40 years and have hit every problem anybody else can possibly hit,” she said. “I know different ways through it. We never tell our students that they are doing anything wrong.”
Souza said a typical painting class includes plenty of laughing, joking, and friendly critiquing. There may very well be no “right” or “wrong” way to paint, but Souza knows that a helping hand can go a long way.
“We always first ask our critique participants, ‘What do you like best about the painting?’ Then, ‘If it was yours, what might you change?’ If you want a figure to look round, you have to put light on one side and shadow on the other,” she said. “Suddenly the art pops off the canvas.”
Souza said it’s these little pushes in a good direction that make “a big, big difference” in the lives of local seniors.
Oasis Programs Director Toni Ford has seen firsthand how the classes have made a lasting impact. For this reason, she’s glad that the center can continue to provide the resources at no cost.
“All the classes are free,” Ford said. “You might be asked for a dollar or two donation for coffee, but for the most part, everything is provided. The main thing at Oasis is the fact that these volunteers are giving back. These seniors are retired. They’re used to working every day and were professionals for most of their lives. Through Oasis, these folks are able to give back and bond.”
More than 150 senior volunteers provide classes each year, including photography, iPhone and Android smartphone education, yoga, Tai Chi, ceramics, HAM radio, knitting, reflexology, and more. In 2015, volunteers provided more than 12,000 hours of service.
Ford has worked with seniors since she was 19 in the assisted living, adult day health, and nursing fields. She said that working at Oasis has been her favorite way to reach older adults by far.
“These are healthy, vibrant seniors who live in their own homes and come here to learn, give, and have fun,” Ford said. “At Oasis, volunteers can continue to use their talents and their gifts. This is the greatest gift of all.”
Hayley Thomas is in awe of those who came before her. Contact her at hthomas@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jan 14-21, 2016.