2014 Annual Report

President’s Message
Dear Oasis Supporters,
Oasis is celebrating twenty years of
providing outstanding counseling
services to women, children
and families in the Birmingham
metropolitan area. Begun with
one woman’s vision of providing
affordable care in a safe and
nurturing environment, Anne
Bruno LaRussa’s vision has grown
to a staff of 15, providing services
to more than 2,000 individuals
and over 5,600 hours of therapy
annually.
The year commenced with a
commitment from our Board and
Steering Committee to engage in
a multi-year Expansion Campaign
to raise funds sufficient to open
the third house – the 1912 House
– as a dedicated child therapy
center. This campaign, led by
Steve Brickman and Celina Miller,
has been quite a success. There
has been 100% Board commitment
and contribution to the campaign.
With initial grants of support by
The Junior League of Birmingham
- Beeson Community Fund and the
Community Foundation of Greater
Birmingham, Oasis was able to
begin work on renovating the
1912 House and expand its child
therapy by hiring an additional
therapist who also specializes in
play therapy. As of the writing of
this letter, the 1912 House is now
staffed and open.
Thanks to the continuing support
of long-time donors and new
contributors, Oasis continues
to be a haven for those seeking
counseling and care. Throughout
the year, Oasis asks clients to
complete a voluntary confidential
survey. The comments are so
moving as young women express
how Oasis helped them to
overcome eating disorders and
escape abusive relationships and
mothers report how play therapy
brought back their child’s smile
and joy. These comments are a
tangible reminder of the beneficial
and essential work the counselors
and staff at Oasis provide each day.
My heartfelt thanks go to all who
have supported Oasis in 2014.
Because of the generosity of
countless individuals, corporations
and foundations, Oasis has been
able to provide quality, professional
mental health services to so many
in our community. The professional
support provided by the staff at
Oasis gives our clients the strength
and motivation to overcome
adversity and improve their lives.
Please review our annual report
which recognizes these individuals
and organizations that helped
make 2014 a successful year.
Andrea Bailey Powers
2013-2014 Board President
2014 Board of Directors
Andrea Bailey Powers, J.D.
President
R. Bruce Donnellan, C.F.A.
Treasurer
Carey B. McRae, J.D.
Vice President
Steven A. Brickman, J.D.
Secretary
Stephanie Hill Alexander
Nancy Bolyard, J.D.
Kenneth Byrd
Teashia Goodwin, Ph.D.*
Ann J. Gulledge*
Edward L. Hardin, Jr., J.D.
Alesia M. Jones*
Christie Daniel Lunsford, J.D.
2014 Advisory Council
Brooke Tanner Battle
Marvell “Chip” Bivins
Lessie Brady
Theresa Harper Bruno
Mary Johnson Butterworth
Mark P. Cohen, M.D.
Anne-Laura Cook, M.D.
Robin Sparks Davis, J.D.
Dian B. Diamond
Sallie Datnoff Downs
Greg Keyes
Sheryl Kimerling
Benny M. LaRussa, Jr.
Colin Luke, J.D.
Melanie L. Nichols
Eileen J. Markstein
Celina A. Miller
Laura Montgomery-Barefield, M.D.
Marian Phillips
Tomeka Roberts, M.D.
Katrina Ross, J.D.
Beth Rotenstreich, MSW
Margaret R. Somerall, M.D.
Stella T. Swetnick
Deborah F. White
DeLynn M. Zell
*Executive Committee Member
Anne Bruno LaRussa
Founder, Ex Officio
Teresa Zúñiga Odom
Joan Cain Pizitz, M.D.
Kathryn Hicks Porter
Cynthia Ransburg-Brown, J.D.
Carla S. Roberson
Mary Roebuck Spencer
Kim Rogers
Lynne Rogers, LCSW
Joseph E. Sandner IV
James D. Sisson
Cindy Speake
Katherine Tierney
Sister Dinah White
Sandra Zarzaur
“My counselor’s passion to help others is
always so uplifting, she relates well to me so I
feel very comfortable talking to her.”
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