Valentine's Virtual Bazaar: The Ocean is Female

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Theresa

We hope you will join us in supporting an incredible non-profit organization this Valentine’s Day: The Ocean Is Female (The OisF).

The OisF is a saltwater-inspired brand with a mission to encourage women and girls to trust in the therapeutic nature of the sea to help them realize their true greatness and learn how to passionately and confidently ride life’s waves.

Founded by a survivor of abuse, The OisF sells apparel and related swag to raise money for The OisF Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that focuses on sponsoring events that introduce women and children, including survivors of abuse and their families, to the restorative energy of the ocean. Check out their website here to learn more and purchase apparel to directly support this incredible cause.

Through their advocacy work for survivors and our support of organizations centered on the prevention of abuse, the Foundation strives to build a community of support, and in doing so elevate the awareness of the prevalence of abuse in our communities. We were honored to catch up with founder Allison Scaduto to learn more about her mission.

How did your business get its start?

Having lived near the ocean my entire life, the saltwater lifestyle is deeply embedded in my roots. As a young survivor of abuse, the ocean is – and has always been – my primary source of solace. It wasn’t until I started surfing a few years ago that I truly grasped the healing power of the ocean and fully appreciated the balance and strength that I receive from her.

Through my own personal history with abuse, and as a working mom focused on raising my two daughters to be confident and spirited little people, I became determined to create something that would allow me to share the experience that the ocean has given me.

And so, The OisF was born – The OisF’s purpose is to inspire women and girls to trust in the natural teachings of the ocean to help them embrace their own unique strengths and live with courage and grace. It is my hope that, with the support of The OisF community, more women and girls will seek the ocean for the therapeutic source that she is, and that they will welcome her dynamic energy as they ride life’s waves.

Tell us more about your business and what products you are featuring for the Valentines Virtual Bazaar

The OisF sells apparel and related swag to raise money for The OisF Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that focuses on sponsoring events that introduce women and children, including survivors of abuse and their families, to the restorative energy of the sea. Through our advocacy work for survivors and our support of organizations centered on the prevention of abuse, the Foundation strives to build a community of support, and in doing so elevate the awareness of the prevalence of abuse in our communities. When you gift or wear OisF gear, you support a mission that, like Valentine’s Day, is founded on love – love of the female spirit and our Mother Ocean.

All of our items have been hand-picked to be comfortable and cozy – our OisF blankets, sweatshirts, and knit hats are all perfect accessories to Valentine’s Day! If you are a survivor of abuse, or you care for or love a survivor, or you too find strength and solace in the sea and want to help empower other women and girls to experience the same, please show your love for The OisF today!

Tell us a bit more about yourself! Where are you from and where do you reside and work now?

I am the joyful mom of two magical and spunky little girls, Amelie & Sawyer, who keep me on my toes and inspire me to live each day with love and purpose. We live in Brielle, surrounded by a lovely community of friends and family. I love everything about the ocean – I love surfing, sailing, and just sitting on the jetty watching the waves roll in.

In “real” day to day life, I am a corporate lawyer at a local boutique law firm, Marks & Klein, LLP, and can be found leading M&A transactions and other matters in the franchise space.

The OisF is a passion of mine – it offers me an opportunity to share and express my gratitude for Mother Ocean, while simultaneously empowering women and girls to live courageous and joyful lives. Working for and with survivors of abuse is especially meaningful to me – not only does it aid my own healing process, but it provides me a means to encourage conversation about abuse and help to end the silence and shame associated with it.

How has Covid-19 impacted your organization and what goals do you have what do you have in store for 2021?

Given that we are a grassroots organization that depends on community involvement, COVID-19 had a notable impact on The OisF last year.

Heading into 2020, we had a number of exciting events in the works for the spring and summer. Plans were in process for women and girls’ yoga and meditation sessions on the beach, a SUP women’s event, and – most exciting to me – a surf therapy event for survivors and their children. However, because of the uncertainty of the pandemic and for obvious health and safety reasons, all planning for these events halted quite abruptly early in the season. Additionally, many of the pop-up events, surf competitions, and other local festivals that we had hoped to participate in, which we count on for fundraising and brand awareness, were cancelled.

The pandemic forced us to adapt to a new norm and redirect our energy – we were determined to achieve our mission, despite the state of things. Early in the pandemic, in an effort to support survivors and their families, The OisF community – old and young – rallied together to sew masks for abused women and children living in safe houses run by 180 Turning Lives Around, a local nonprofit that empowers survivors and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to find the courage and strength to turn their lives around. We focused on fundraising efforts that would support organizations like 180 that had boots on the ground and were best positioned to make a difference.

Further, during the early, isolating stages of the pandemic, it became apparent that we all – and, especially, the younger generation – were craving connection. In recognition of this and in an effort to create a community of support for girls and young women, we created “The OisF Rider” program. The Rider program was designed for girls who love and feel a connection to the ocean. As the season progressed, The OisF was able to host events that brought the Riders together to share new experiences and support each other – and, in doing so, succeeded in creating a community of sea sisters that inspired goodness and strength in each other. As we enter 2021 and look to the year ahead, we are excited about our plans to further develop the Rider program, so that the girls continue to have the opportunity to explore the dynamic energy of the sea and learn how to ride life’s waves together! If you are interested in learning more about the OisF Rider program or becoming an OisF Rider, visit us at www.TheOisF.com.

What is your favorite Valentines Day tradition?

After all of the Valentine’s Day hugs and kisses are exchanged (of which there are many in my home!), the day always starts off with pink, heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes and breakfast in bed...although the recipient of the breakfast in bed changes from year to year.

Last year, my 8-year old daughter made breakfast for her 6-year old sister, and the year before that both girls made breakfast in bed for me (which breakfast consisted of two clementines, an unbuttered piece of bread, lots of leftover candy from Halloween, and a can of a local hoppy beer!). It was the best – and most memorable – breakfast I have ever had!

We hope you will shop and support this amazing non-profit this Valentine’s Day: www.theOisF.com