Our Story
In 2001, two Tampa Palms moms saw a need at a school in their neighborhood where they were volunteering. Kids struggled to make it to school every day and pay attention in class. Their clothes were too small, too big, and sometimes torn or dirty. The moms cleaned out their kids’ closets and had friends do the same. These items filled the first OASIS clothing site! Since then, OASIS has grown into three clothing sites and five unique programs that offer a variety of items for low-income kids in need.
OASIS Opportunities is a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization, serving at-risk and low-income Hillsborough County students with the clothing and essentials they need to overcome barriers to consistent school attendance and academic success. Our nonprofit has a unique partnership with over 250 social workers in Hillsborough County Public Schools. When a social worker identifies a student in need of clothing or essentials, the social worker visits one of our three sites or other programs to select whatever items the child may need—all FREE of charge!
In 2023, we have served over 13,000 students, we continue to expand our reach!
Terri & Lynn, OASIS Founders
Who We Are
We are a group of community members dedicated to uplifting and supporting low-income students in the area. A network of Hillsborough County residents, schools, churches, foundations, corporations, and charitable clubs work together with us to make sure all HCPS students have the tools they need to fully engage in their learning.
Our History
OASIS Opportunities was formed by moms who had volunteered in the school system for years and become increasingly concerned with the overwhelming number of children in desperate need of life's basic necessities. Without proper school clothing, shoes, school supplies and even simple hygiene items, thousands of children find it very difficult to learn and prosper in a school setting.
OASIS was founded in 2001, when it opened its first clothing closet at a school. In 2002, a central site opened in New Tampa, serving Title I schools across the county. In 2007, OASIS opened a second full-size facility in south Tampa, serving social workers in the southern part of the county and in 2008, OASIS expanded into a third full-size facility in east Tampa. In 2015, at the request of the district and school social workers, to better serve students in the east and south areas of the county, OASIS opened another site in Seffner.
Today, OASIS Opportunities services include:
4 Clothing Closet Sites
Online Order & Delivery Program
Teen Pop-Up Shop
Emergency Food Assistance Program
Back2Basics School Uniform Program
Summer Hygiene Bag Program
These services are provided free of charge to ensure all students have equal access to the essentials they need to focus on their learning and realize their potential to become exceptional.