Nonprofit Oasis Opens Thrift Store 'The Nest' In Wyckoff Area

PATERSON, NJ — Community members are invited to shop 'till they drop at The Nest, a thrift shop that recently opened in Paterson and is run by local nonprofit "Oasis — A Haven for W0men and Children."

At The Nest, shoppers will find gently-used women's and children's clothing, as well as shoes, handbags and accessories — all at greatly discounted prices, said Laetitia Cairoli, Oasis' director of development.

"All store merchandise has been donated by Oasis supporters and store revenue will flow directly back into Oasis social service programs," Cairoli said.

One beneficiary of the thrift store's proceeds is the Oasis-run Retail Internship Project, which will give participants an 8-week paid internship at the thrift store and provide them with a personalized workplace training program.

The program aims to help women find sustainable employment in the retail sector, Cairoli said, and it aligns with the nonprofit's goal of serving the greater Paterson area's women, teens and children in need.

"Oasis will use the thrift store to market their social service programs to women and children in Paterson," Cairoli said. "Shoppers will find information on Oasis classes and programs which include adult and children's education, psychosocial counseling, basic needs support — hot meals, emergency food bags, baby diapers, and more."

Its staff is taking donations of gently-used, in-season women's and children's clothing from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Donations can be brought to The Nest, which is located at 59 Mill Street, Paterson, part of Oasis' newly-expanded community center.

"Oasis works to break the cycle of poverty through programs designed to feed, clothe, educate, and empower," Cairoli said. "Oasis serves over 1,000 women and children daily in adult education classes, youth development programs, and basic social services. Oasis helps women and children move from poverty to self-sufficiency."