The founding members of OASIS, Inc. recognized that adults with developmental disabilities are among the most under employed populations in today’s struggling economy. Families hoping to ensure meaningful and sustainable futures for loved ones with special needs face many challenges. OASIS founders sought a self-sustaining solution, able to meet a consolidation of special needs and offer a practical model with future relevancy. OASIS Farm evolved as their solution to this multi-faceted problem.
Our 14 acre farm venue is located in the farm region of Eastern Gathersburg @ 24800 Dunnavant Drive, Gaithersburg, MD-20854. The eco-friendly venture is well on its way toward self-sustainability with its large solar array, rain water irrigation, organic farming practices and a paper shredding initiative. Future plans include expansion of the organic farming and marketing of the produce and other products created from our large surplus of paper shred.
Organization for the Advancement of and Service for Individuals with Special Needs, OASIS, offers its farm venue to individuals and groups supporting transitioning youth and adults with developmental disabilities. Participants are welcome to practice all aspects of organic produce gardening, general farm maintenance, and the production of compost, pottery and other goods generated from our large paper shredding enterprise.
Since the farm opened in 2015 OASIS has hosted opportunities to school groups providing work experiences for transitioning youth, and to individuals and agencies providing vocational training to adults with developmental disabilities. Volunteers and agency leaders conduct ongoing classes to train clients and their caregivers on the agricultural aspects of farming activities and property maintenance. Large paper shredders provide the opportunity for participants to practice this essential office skills. The shred provides the base for our compost and is also used in a number of salable farm crafts including papercrete garden pottery, fire starter bricks, seed bombs and seedpaper.
OASIS offers it venue free of charge and welcomes the support of anyone interested in organic produce gardening, general farm maintenance or papershred crafts. Many visitors to the farm simply come to relax and enjoy the bucolic nature of our venue.
Student Volunteers earning SSL hours are tasked with a variety of activities depending upon our needs and the season. These include:
OASIS also has a private team of volunteers who assist with technical support, video development and other special assignment for which they were trained.
We hope you will take some time to visit and learn more about our mission to provide long term, sustainable supports for individuals with special needs. Please help us to help others.
| (301) 983-6858 | |
| info@specialneedsoasis.org | |
| Raj Rajagopal | |
| President | |
| http://www.specialneedsoasis.org |
