The OisF Survivor Program

  • We are helping to end the silence and stigma surrounding abuse and give survivors a voice and a safe space to share their stories.
  • The SEA Program addresses the immediate (and unmet) needs of survivors and their families as they are working through the emergency phase of their crisis.
  • Our participants experience healing and camaraderie from our various activities throughout the year. 
  • “The OisF has taught me that Iʼm not alone in this storm and that storms do pass when you ride them out. The ups and downs of life show us that we are truly alive. Joining the surf therapy program has helped me break through so many barriers through connecting with a warm, caring support network as we connect together to experience the healing power of the ocean.”
  • The OisF has become a vehicle to promote conversation and to raise awareness of the prevalence of abuse in our communities.
We are helping to end the silence and stigma surrounding abuse and give survivors a voice and a safe space to share their stories.
The SEA Program addresses the immediate (and unmet) needs of survivors and their families as they are working through the emergency phase of their crisis.
Our participants experience healing and camaraderie from our various activities throughout the year. 
“The OisF has taught me that Iʼm not alone in this storm and that storms do pass when you ride them out. The ups and downs of life show us that we are truly alive. Joining the surf therapy program has helped me break through so many barriers through connecting with a warm, caring support network as we connect together to experience the healing power of the ocean.”
The OisF has become a vehicle to promote conversation and to raise awareness of the prevalence of abuse in our communities.

WE ARE HEALING!    

The OisF Survivor Program for Women is led by Brighde Dougherty of FLOW Leadership Academy and Casey Mauro, a holistic therapy and wellness practitioner, along with many other amazing healers, facilitators and wellness providers from the community.                                                                                  

APPLY HERE & JOIN US - THERE IS NO COST TO PARTICIPATE!

What is The OisF Survivor Program all about?

The OisF is excited to offer 3 seasons of programming in 2024 for women survivors of abuse and domestic violence.  As we travel through each season in sisterhood, we will focus on blossoming in the spring, nurturing our skills in the ocean in summer, and then coming back to our sacred selves in the fall. In this supportive community, we are creating ripples to make waves of change within ourselves and those around us.  

Please see below for a description of each "season", including what each season's programming entails and when and where sessions will be held.  You are encouraged to apply and participate in as many OisF seasons of programming as you would like.  An application must be submitted for each season in which you wish to participate.  

Apply today and join our community of support and sea sisters - with the opportunity to attend various OisF-led events with other survivors and Program participants throughout the year!

Who is eligible to apply for this Program?

This Program is open to women who have suffered from abuse or been exposed to domestic violence. Women ages 18 and up are encouraged to apply.  All applicants are asked to please commit to attend all of a given season's sessions, if possible (barring unexpected circumstances, of course).

How do I apply for the Program? 
To be considered for this Program, please apply here. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.                                                                                             
What is the cost of this Program? 

There is no cost to participate in The OisF's Programs. Your participation is funded by The OisF.

How do the Seasons differ - when and where are Program sessions held?

  • Spring Program: Blossom into your full self in sisterhood through painting, yoga, barre class, meditation, bodyfullness and cacao.
EVENT 
DATE 
TIME 
LOCATION 
Paint ‘n Sip (with Cailtin Accurso
March 25
5:00-7:00pm
Point Pleasant Beach 
Sister Circle (with Lynette Allen & Casey Mauro
April 9 
6:00-8:00pm
Point Pleasant Beach
Barre Class (with Karen Vogel of Karma Barre)
April 27 
12:30-2:00pm
Spring Lake Heights
Yoga (with Carrie Godesky of Inlet Yoga)
May 13
6:00-8:00pm
Sea Girt 
Seeds of Sunshine (with Kate Strakosch)
May 30
5:00-7:00pm 
Point Pleasant Beach 
Cacao Ceremony (with Casey Mauro)
June 11 
4:30-6:30pm
Sea Girt Beach 
  • Summer Program: Build skills and community through surfing the waves of the great Atlantic and stretch your abilities to find commune with the sea and self. 

EVENT 

DATE 

TIME 

LOCATION 

Surf & Sand Therapy 

June 27 

4:30-7:30pm 

Spring Lake Beach

Surf & Sand Therapy 

July 11 

4:30-7:30pm 

Spring Lake Beach

Surf & Sand Therapy

July 25 

4:30-7:30pm

Spring Lake Beach

Surf & Sand Therapy

Aug 8 

4:30-7:30pm

Spring Lake Beach

Surf & Sand Therapy

Aug 22 

4:30-7:30pm

Spring Lake Beach

Surf & Sand Therapy

Sept 5 

4:30-7:30pm

Spring Lake Beach

*The Summer Program is a combination of surf instruction and land-based activities held in Spring Lake, NJ in partnership with Hammer Surf School.  If a session needs to be canceled because of weather or rough surf, we do our best to reschedule the session at a time that works best for the group and the surf instructors.
  • Fall Program: Wind down, reflect & evolve through SUP,  hiking in the trees, gathering around the bonfire, immersing into the sounds of bowls, and extending your inner beauty with a makeover.  

EVENT 

DATE 

TIME 

LOCATION 

Stand Up Paddleboard Summer Send Off

Sept 19

4:30-6:30 

Manasquan 

Music & Beach BonFire  

Oct 10

5:00-7:00

Point Pleasant Beach

Fall Forest Hiking 

Oct 24

4:30-6:00

Wall

Sound Bowls & Healing Circle

Nov 14

5:00-7:00

Sea Girt

Let’s Get Glam! Salon Night

Dec 5 

7:00-9:00

Sea Girt

         

Testimonials

In addition to the testimonials below, click here to read some extremely moving letters written by women who participated in The OisF Survivor Program for Women last summer.
  • This program was a much appreciated step on my journey to healing. The instructors were so kind and patient. Getting in the water each session was fun as well as therapeutic. I cannot ever thank the OisF enough for allowing me to be a part of this program and will forever be grateful I was a part of it.
  • The OisF is a place to heal a place to grow and a place to develop a sense of empowerment as a women as we ride the waves of life!!
  • I have learned and gained so much from this experience. Learning how to surf and actually surfing was an inexplainable healing experience. I am so grateful to the team for creating such a safe and enjoyable place to heal and grow.
  • This program was incredible. I enjoyed every minute and would love to join again next year. It gave me so much support, skills and empowerment for my life.
  • I loved the program. Getting to be in the water and also learn new life skills was amazing. It was much more than I expected and would participate again without a doubt.
  • I did not have any expectations for the group and was curious about what it would be like. I can’t tell you how much I have learned and grew from this experience. I would definitely be intersted in joining the program next year it would mean so much to me as support in my life is so much needed at this stage of healing.

Join our Newsletter

Receive event invites, exclusive product promotions & discover what it means to become an OisF Rider!

Waves of Change fundraiser BUY TICKETS NOW
Survivor Program
Survivor Program