Sharing, Learning,
& Growing. Together.
Oasis Dufferin Community Centre began with a burden placed on founder Phyllis Ortiz' heart. As a missionary newly returned from South America, feeling lost in an urban environment that had become unfamiliar to her, she empathised with immigrants coming to Toronto. She transformed the Dufferin Street Baptist Church basement into an Oasis — a gathering place that would meet the social, material, physical, and spiritual needs of its neighbours.
The doors opened in 1994 and the food bank and the first classes of hairdressing, crafts, and E.S.L., had their humble beginnings.
Three decades later, Oasis continues to embrace its neighbours with help, hope, and compassion.
I learned that being heard and listened to is a basic need for people.
- Oasis Founder Phyllis Ortiz
Our Mission
Following the example of Jesus, Oasis exists to foster relationships among diverse community members who join together to meet physical, relational, emotional and spiritual hunger.
Oasis is a unique and diverse community. Centred in the Dufferin and Dupont neighbourhood of central west Toronto, it attracts people from all over the city. Founded and governed by Christians, it welcomes people of all faiths or no faith. Oasis has learned that we all have profound needs that are met by and with each other. Members of all social, economic and cultural communities join together to share, learn and grow together.
We discover that we all have needs and we all have gifts to contribute to the community. By sharing we learn. By learning we can grow as individuals and as a community. Growing enables us to better share with and teach each other.
Our Vision
Guided by our mission to foster physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, we have developed a strategic plan that emphasizes empowerment, collaboration, and sustainable growth.
Building Community Connections
Oasis is more than a service provider. It’s a place where people come together to share, learn, and thrive – a space where individuals discover support, find belonging, and grow relationships.
Adapting to Evolving Needs
Recognizing the challenges faced by our community, we continuously refine our programs to address both chronic and emerging issues like food insecurity, mental health, and senior wellness.
Ongoing Impact
We are dedicated to fostering partnerships and stewarding resources effectively to ensure long-term benefits for our community.
Reports
Read about the impact your support makes and our commitment to transparency.