Collaborating with other organizations to increase resources for our clients and to avoid duplication of services has always been a standard operating procedure for OAR. During our past few years of funding losses, we have become even more aware of the importance of collaborations.

Securing more job training and employment opportunities for clients and developing projects to generate income are the two most important goals in our Board's strategic plan of action. We have been fortunate to find a collaborative partner with these same goals along with an interest and experience in working with our target population. On the back of this newsletter you will see the announcement of our most recent collaboration. We are very pleased to announce the opening of a retail operation in collaboration with Boaz and Ruth, Inc., a faith-based program operating in Highland Park, with the mission of providing job training, retail revitalization, and cross cultural connectedness for our community.

The new Boaz & Ruth @ OAR store is the result of several months of planning and negotiations by two organizations' staff and Board who were all committed to making a simple idea become a reality. We look forward to seeing our supporters and community partners at our pre-opening celebrations on October 12 & 13 or at our grand opening on October 14.

Volunteer News

During the last fiscal year, 88 volunteers provided 2,880 hours of their time to OAR. They served as group facilitators, mentors, special projects consultants, and Board members. This fiscal year is already off to a great start with 44 volunteers providing 454 hours of service at our jail sites and Central Office. Our clients benefit greatly from these committed volunteers.

Welcome to the following new volunteers:

Randy Cosby, Freddie Evans, Matt Forneris, Adrienne Gregory, Shelby Shelton, and Stephen Wakefield.

Get to Know an OAR Volunteer…

Tasha Brubaker has been volunteering at OAR since July, 2003. Tasha has been an anger management group facilitator at both Richmond City and Henrico County jails. She enjoys working with our clients because she has seen "her guys" grow and change during the 6-week course she teaches. Her favorite moment was when she saw one of her students after his release and he told her about his new job and new home.

Tasha is an ordained Episcopal priest who is interested in economic and social justice. In her free time she enjoys playing the piano and listening to live music. We appreciate Tasha volunteering her time and talents for our clients.

Jennifer Harris, Program Services Assistant, and Ed Cheddar, Data Entry Clerk, are our newest staff members. Jennifer came on board in time to be trained by Jessica Hacker, who left OAR in August to attend law school at Wake Forest University. John Wade, who has filled several different job roles with OAR for the past 11 years, has retired.