In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re proud to spotlight Oasis, Humanim’s valued employer partner expanding opportunities for independence within the disability community. Last week, Oasis was named Employer of the Year by Maryland Works at their 16th Annual Employment Awards Luncheon! Congratulations to Oasis for this well-deserved recognition and for their continued support in building vocational skills for those we serve.
Oasis is also a champion for hiring community members with disabilities, who traditionally have a difficult time securing positions with local manufacturing companies. As a provider of support services for individuals with disabilities looking to overcome their barriers to living independently, our organization relies on partnerships with companies like Oasis to fulfill our mission.
The business is best known for producing internationally sold humidifiers for guitars and other stringed instruments in Howard County since 2005. A guitar player since the age of 13, the owner, Dave Hepple invented this product after years of his own trial and error with other brands and models, and feedback from other musicians he worked with during his long tenure at the Baltimore Classical Guitar Series. The business prides itself on providing an affordable, reliable and long-lasting product, with each humidifier receiving individual testing before shipping.
Over a decade ago, Oasis began employing participants within Humanim’s Supported Employment program. The company has helped well over a dozen individuals obtain rewarding work on a contractual basis and currently has four individuals from our organization employed as regular employees on its production team.
Zach is the longest-tenured individual working at Oasis to come out of Humanim and took the position in 2019. He has become one of Oasis’ most valued and versatile employees. He can expertly handle nearly every part of the production process and does so with both speed and precision.
Michaela has been with Oasis for nearly a year. She quickly excelled and became entrusted with one of the more challenging, multi-step production tasks. Michaela is always pushing herself to be even better, takes great pride in her work, and her humor and positive demeanor are infectious on the production floor.
“I love the job, because I get to sit down and make these tubes that go into guitar dehumidifiers. Everything about it makes me happy,” Michaela says.
Jeff, the lead job coach for Humanim, attributes much of the success of Zach and Michaela, and all their Humanim supported co-workers, to the working environment at Oasis.
“Oasis is primarily a family business, and new hires are welcomed like family. They are more than just employees to Dave,” said Jeff.
Oasis exemplifies the spirit of a family-owned business that not only delivers exceptional products but also fosters a sense of belonging. Their commitment to quality, community, and opportunity earned them the recognition they deserve at this year’s Maryland Works Awards Luncheon.