President Adam Manning welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. PDG Harvey Smith provided the prayer, including a special prayer for Dick Hoback who is having health issues.
Today’s Announcements:
- Thanks to today’s greeters - Bob Daley, Dale Berry, and Dan Johnson.
- Thanks to Ron Hollenbeck, Matt Kuhn, Kelly McDonald, Arnie & Nancy Biondo and our exchange student, Marti for volunteering last weekend to build beds for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace District service project.
- The next Rotary Board meeting will be on Monday, April 22, 5:30 pm at the Manning/Faulkner residence, 1236 Burna Lane, Dayton 45429. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
- The District 6670 Gala dinner is next Friday, April 26 at 5:30 pm. Our Club has sponsored the dinner held at Sycamore Creek Country Club. Tickets are $50 and seats are still available.
- Jeff Senney announced this year’s Rotary Dayton Dragons game is August 10, 7:15 pm. Tickets are only $14 and half goes to End Polio Now.
- Bill Menker announced our first Adopt a Highway service project is scheduled for Saturday, April 27. Please sign up now, and view the safety video Bill shared in his email.
- Crissy Allums said our next service project is to serve lunch at St Vincent de Paul on May 22, 10:30am-1:30pm. She needs about 6 volunteers.
- Kelly McDonald thanked those who signed up for volunteer spots for this year’s Golf outing. There are still opportunities available, including a photographer to take team pictures, We are still in need of players and sponsors. 38 tickets have been sold for the Bourbon Raffle so far. The Heart of Centerville’s Merchant Market will be held at St Leonard this year on May 19, 12-5 pm. The Centerville Rotary logo will be on shopping totes (our club is a member). They need volunteers to help with the event.
- Susan Schnell announced we received 4 applications for scholarships, all from CHS. The Scholarship Committee will conduct interviews next week.
- Brian Hayes said, “Check your email. Pay your bill.”
- Hand sanitizers were donated for your taking.
Happy Bucks this month will go to Dear Dinah, who provides a safe place for survivors of human trafficking and helps raise awareness by connecting a community of people who are devoted to protecting and empowering the Dinah's of the world.
Pat Beckel was our Sergeant at Arms with assistance by Jim Stuart
Happy Bucks were generously given for:
- Pat Beckel was happy the DORA passed by unanimous vote and thanked the City officials.
- Carol Kennard was happy for the spring awakening in the natural world. She encouraged all to visit the beautiful wildflower display at Aullwood Garden Metropark, especially the carpet of Virginia Bluebells in the woods.
- Adam Manning for his mom’s birthday today.
- Bob Daley for the sunshine and spring flowers.
- Mark Febus for a great time at the Masters and Grand Ole Opry, where he got to see Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill.
- Elda Gotos Gay was happy to be here.
- Socks Bowersocks was glad the winds have subsided.
- Ron Hollenbeck was happy.
- Crissy Allums was happy to be here after a close call at work last week. (We’re glad everything turned out ok, too, Crissy!)
- Dan Johnson is seeing Jerry Seinfeld next week!
- Boyd Preston gave congrats to Susan Schnell for graduating from WSU next week.
- Chuck King noted Dear Dinah (happy bucks recipient) presentation was made at the Urbana club, and last week while Chuck was visiting, a county judge shared he had a young lady at his court and found someone being trafficked. He asked questions he wouldn’t have thought to ask had he not heard the Dinah presentation.
- Susan Schnell was happy to be back; she’s done with her schoolwork and will graduate with a Masters in social work next week. She’s happy for the scholarship recipients and the good weather.
- Jim Harris gave thanks to Susan for putting together the scholarship program. Feedback from a teacher said we asked too many questions on the application!
- Rand Oliver was happy.
- Dale Berry said Saturday is his birthday, and it’s a big one!
- Jeff Senney was happy.
- Dave Trout won $20 in the Centerville-Moeller game, his granddaughter got married in Italy (but he wasn’t invited), and he is happy to see how many people here really appreciate life and live as they should, focusing on happiness and achievement.
- Kelly McDonald was grateful for the club’s work on the golf tournament and bourbon.
- Pat Beckel for Kelly’s energy and involvement in so much, he is always doing something for everyone. He is a great addition to the Heart of Centerville.
Our speaker today was Dona Pierce with the Oasis House.
Dona Pierce shared that the Oasis House offers hope and support to women survivors of trauma, sexual exploitation, and substance abuse. They do this by promoting healing, restoration, and empowerment through Christ's unconditional love, teaching practical life skills, and mentoring through a transformational process.
The vision of Oasis House is that of women growing individually and collectively, while living in community. They seek to empower women by providing safe housing and supporting their sobriety, vocational opportunities, and spiritual growth.
Oasis House has been open for 21 years. They first started in strip clubs where women were being exploited, and attempted to develop relationships with women.
They expanded the operation and now have a Safe House where they can live for 2 years as they work on a restoration plan. Sex trafficking used to be on the street but now it’s really behind doors - websites, hotel rooms, etc. Once someone is in that industry, it is hard to leave, as they are making good money.
Women are seen as the perpetrator, but in reality, they are the victim. Oasis is working on prevention, starting with education with kids who are at risk. The law recently changed, so now if under 18, they are taken to children’s services instead of jail.
Sex workers usually come from trauma or abuse. Not considered trafficked, but exploited. The women’s venerability is being taken advantage of.
Once at the Oasis House, they are required to save money in a bank account and show they have it. Donna shared a success story about a woman who came to them, got her credit rating up so she could get a loan, bought a car, and got a full time job. She was able to reinstate visitation with her children and has an apartment now.
The Oasis House is located on Edwin C. Moses Boulevard. They can house up to 5 women. They have 2 FT and 3 PT staff. Most of their work is referring to other agencies for needed services. Most women are in recovery programs for drugs and alcohol.
Their funding comes from churches, grants, donations, and fundraisers. Volunteers are needed for Safe House maintenance and upkeep. They also teach classes on finance, anger management, boundaries, etc.
They’ll have an annual conference at UD in 2025. They can always use volunteers to help and sponsorships.
Police departments refer people to them.
Donna can be reached at (937) 898-7811 or dpierce@oasisforwomen.org
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