Who We help

Demographics

In Paterson, one of the most densely populated cities in NJ and the United States, the poverty rate is significantly above the national average. It is a city facing harsh adversity with 28% of its people living below the poverty line, nearly double the 15% national average.  Approximately 89% of children in Paterson qualify for free or reduced school lunch programs and only 11% of adult residents hold a Bachelors or higher degree.

With a current population of approximately 150,000, Oasis services local women and children living below the poverty line.  All enrolled families are eligible for NJ SNAP. Our clients are economically and financially distressed with various health issues, living in overcrowded multi- enerational family dwellings. Most are mothers, with school aged children, exhibiting low levels of self-esteem.  The ethnicity groupings of our clients are 61% Hispanic, 25% Middle Eastern, 10% Black, 2% White and 2% Asian.