Making a Safe Space
“I wish I could sit in this feeling forever.” Is not what you would expect to hear from someone working in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault (DV/SA), but that is exactly what Sara Crouch, OASIS, Inc.’s Outreach Coordinator, said about the DV Book Club meeting at Foggy Pines in Boone. “People who attended were so willing to have conversations about a pretty tough subject and it’s those moments that are candid, honest and hopeful that make this work worth it.”
Oasis, Inc. is a non-profit that has been hard at work in the High Country since 1978 providing direct services to survivors of DV/SA and offering a range of prevention programs in the community. You can find their dedicated staff speaking to groups all over Watauga and Avery counties, training the staff at local bars on being active bystanders, doing prevention programs in every 8th grade class, advocating for survivors in court or the hospital, and collaborating with dozens of other agencies.
Behind the scenes, the OASIS staff values teamwork, mutual support, keeping up with current research and best practices, and professional development. “In our office culture its okay to take a break, go into a co-workers office, vent or cry or talk about anything other than work. We trust we are all taking care of ourselves as well as the job.”
Like many Boonies, Sara moved up here for school at ASU, but she didn’t expect to want to stay. “The community feel was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.” As part of the OASIS team, she has gotten to see just how great this community is. “I love being able to do this here, we have a very compassionate community, people really rally behind us.”
If you want to help, but can’t commit to regular volunteer hours, Sara says that “just word of mouth is super powerful. People can share what they know about DV/SA, attend events we do in the community, or volunteer a couple hours of time to hang flyers around town.” No matter what, everyone can be an active bystander and advocate for survivors in the community, as Sara explains, “Awareness + Education + Action = Social Change.”