OYSTER RIVER WOMENADE

WHO WE ARE

Oyster River Womenade (ORW), founded in 2006, has spent 20 years supporting community members facing financial hardship in Durham, Lee, Madbury, Newmarket, and surrounding areas.

With a strong commitment to minimizing administrative costs, ORW ensures that the majority of funds raised go directly to those in need. Our mission is to promote financial self-sufficiency while nurturing a sense of community among residents.

To request assistance, individuals are referred by trusted Community Validators, such as school nurses, guidance counselors, pastors, social workers, or healthcare professionals. These validators confirm the individual or family’s circumstances and submit a request form online to ORW. It's important to note that only Community Validators, not the recipients themselves, may complete these forms.

Through this collaborative process, ORW addresses a range of needs, including childcare, medical expenses, housing, transportation, and utilities, ensuring support is delivered where it’s most needed.

OUR IMPACT

ORW supported 114 requests from our community in need through validated requests in 2025 and have helped 55 people in 2026 thus far.  ORW also regularly makes donations to local food banks, summer camp programs, high school graduation scholarships, and to the nurses fund at area schools.

Here are some stories of how we helped our neighbors:

- A single mom pay for driver's education course, so her son could get employed and help the family.

- A man recently moved from the streets to an apartment, but couldn't afford dentures. 

- A woman got a week at a hotel to help her in between her housing change so she wouldn't be homeless.

- Paid 3 months remaining time on a storage unit so a family wouldn't lose all their possessions.

TESTIMONIALS 

"I was facing significant financial hardship and struggling to make ends meet since my job had ended, particularly with my mortgage payment. The burden was weighing heavily on me, and I was uncertain about how I would manage to keep a roof over my head for myself and my family. However, thanks to Womenade’s financial assistance, I was able to meet my mortgage obligations and alleviate a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. Your willingness to extend a helping hand during a challenging period has had a profound impact on me. Not only have you provided much-needed financial relief, but you have also restored my hope and faith in the goodness of humanity. Your organization’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families in our community is truly commendable, and I am immensely grateful to have benefited from your support."

"For so long, I have been in a constant battle and it felt like there was no end in sight. My struggle was made even more difficult due to the state of my teeth, which prevented me from living a quality life and robbed me of precious moments with my loved ones. I haven't smiled openly with my family without feeling pain, discomfort, and shame, but thanks to your generosity and kindness, I am now able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. After over a decade of living in pain, fear, and shame, I am finally on a path to reclaiming the joy and happiness that I have been missing for so long. The doctor told me today that I would have to learn how to smile again. Imagine that! Womenade has been a constant source of hope and support throughout the years, always there for me when I felt like I had lost all perspective. I am truly indebted to this extraordinary organization and the amazing work they do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me see that there is still so much to look forward to in life. You have truly made a difference in my life and I will forever be grateful for your kindness and generosity." 

"ORW helped me during one of the darkest times of my life - I had a severe house fire. The organization has made a massive effort to help me. I can’t say enough nice things about the people who work here."

Who We Are

Oyster River Womeande provides assistance to community members in times of hardship in the following communities: Durham, Lee, Madbury and Newmarket. We offer help without prejudice or discrimination.