Because we have seen the struggles of inner-city youth, we exist to provide a stable, safe environment to help them grow up into mature, hopeful, and healthy individuals. Drop-out rates, school suspensions, poor attendance and failure to graduate are educational obstacles that limit opportunities in the lives of youth in Akron. Dysfunctional families, mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, physical abuse and neglect permeate the lives of these youth and limit their growth. Youth can feel isolated and depressed, disconsolate and suicidal and turn to many dangerous ways to deal with their lifestyles: drugs, sex, alcohol, gangs and crime, for example.

Oasis Outreach Opportunity fulfills the need in the Akron community by providing an oasis – an open, safe, accepting place for youth to gather many times throughout the week for opportunities to build relationships with responsible adults and to participate in activities that center on spiritual growth and educational hope. Fun, physical, musical, artistic, and educational activities provide the framework for youth to build self esteem through positive relationships with God, adults, and each other.

Biblical teaching and spiritual disciplines provide the foundation for every opportunity. Relationships are built that provide companionship, support and protection from the dangers of the urban life. Youth that feel hopeless or doomed to failure find nourishment and new life through Jesus Christ – the living water at Oasis Outreach Opportunity, Inc.

In turn, adults from St.John/St.Paul Lutheran Church and neighboring churches are also sustained and nourished by the opportunity as they serve the youth through the outreach at Oasis.