We are proud to share that through the support of the City of Newark, Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, we were able to connect with the youth in the West Ward of Newark through a brain-based approach—using the game of chess as a powerful tool for change.

This initiative allowed us to help these exceptional young people, who make up The Oasis Village Foundation, begin to recognize that thinking before acting can lead to very different and more positive outcomes than they might be accustomed to producing. Our goal was to help this group produce something more constructive than the “crash out,” and I am proud to say that we achieved that.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this possible. Thank you to the youth for trusting us to teach, mentor, feed, nurture, and counsel during this inaugural run. Your openness and willingness to learn have been truly inspiring.

A special thanks to our dedicated staff who sacrificed their time to work with these young people, to the cooks who prepared delicious meals that the youth enjoyed each session, and to the United Community Corporation West Side Park Recreation Center for providing a welcoming space to serve as our home base.

Most importantly, I want to highlight that during this entire period, not a single youth in our group encountered legal trouble or experienced any “crash out” moments. This achievement underscores the positive impact of our efforts.

What began as a group of strangers has grown into a family—a testament to the power of community, mentorship, and hope. We look forward to continuing this work and inspiring more young people to make meaningful, positive choices.

Thank you all for your support and belief in this mission.

Jamal Jackson,LSW
Director, The Oasis Village Foundation