Community Corner
Regional Services Center Boasts Expanded Senior Programs
The B-CC Regional Services Center will provide additional space to Oasis, an education facility for adults 50 and older.
The will soon be home to expanded senior activities through Oasis, a group that promotes learning, health and volunteer engagement programs for seniors.
Oasis provides classes for adults 50 and older, ranging in topics from Russian history to surfing the internet. Twenty-nine years after it opened in St. Louis, Oasis has expanded to 27 cities across the country. This fall, the non-profit organization will grow its network in Washington D.C. even further.
Offering new computer classes at the B-CC Regional Services Center, the senior program will provide new opportunities for baby boomers to catch up with Generation X. Other classes will range from art history to Spanish to health and exercise to a men's discussion group, according to a statement from the regional services center. Most are one or two day sessions. The classes will supplement the handful of topics Oasis already operates at the B-CC Regional Services Center and those in the Macy’s Home Store at Montgomery Mall.
Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“A lot of people come to Oasis and say we’re the best kept secret in Montgomery County,” Oasis office manager Leah Russi said. “The idea is to get older adults more engaged in programs, to stay healthy and get them involved in communities.”
Giving its 3,000 members another way to stay active, Oasis’ Washington, D.C. branch also organizes a program for adults to tutor reading for kindergarten to fourth grade students. While some of those involved with Oasis prefer donating their time, others have helped give back by donating their old computers, which volunteers refurbish and donate to those in need.
Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Recycle My Computer Program has been quite successful, giving away over 74 refurbished computers, Oasis office manager Leah Russi said.
While the price of each class varies, there’s a $15 processing fee per semester that’s required to enroll in any class. Registration for fall 2011 classes opens Sept. 8. Upcoming classes will be listed on the Bethesda Urban Partnership's events calendar.
