Volunteer News

From July, 2004 through June, 2005, 61 community volunteers provided 2,319 hours and 44 inmate volunteers provided 364 hours of their time providing direct services to OAR clients.  They served as group facilitators, individual mentors, and tutors.

We would like to welcome the following new volunteers:  Ryan Ally, Joel Basco, Juanita Cole, Christy Dahlkemper, Bryan McCarter, Anne Larkum, Shawn O’Hern, Yumi Rydlun, Nicole Simmons, Dena Sloane, Diane Wood, Gloria Woolfolk, and Gary Zientek.

 Get to Know an OAR Volunteer…

 Ralph Harris joined OAR as a volunteer in July, 2005.  He assists clients each Thursday morning in our Central Office with preparing resumes for their job search.  Ralph is so dedicated to helping them in their efforts that, if necessary, he takes their draft resumes home and types them in his spare time.  In addition to the resume workshops, beginning in mid October, Ralph will teach a computer class on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  This will offer a much needed and requested basic computer class for clients who are working and unable to attend the computer classes OAR offered during the day. 

Ralph's passion for helping people in need has made him a tremendous addition to OAR's volunteer program. 

 Volunteer Opportunities

 J      Responsibilities of Fatherhood: Help clients learn the financial   and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood while developing positive communication skills in this 6 week program.

J      Parenting Education Group:  Provide group support for incarcerated parents while they are separated from their children.  Help them maintain relationships with their children and caregivers and improve their parenting skills in this 8 week program.

J      Impact of Crime on Victims:  Educate offenders on the impact that crime has on victims, families, and communities by teaching a series of classes in this 11 week program. 

 Call Christy Ellis at 643-2746 to find out more about volunteering with OAR.

Staff News

 Gregory Howard has joined our staff as the case manager at Richmond City Jail.  He replaced Alethia Watford who is now providing part-time case management services for OAR clients at Pamunkey Regional Jail while she is attending graduate school at VCU.  Ebony Harris and Melvina Randolph left OAR employment during the last month.

October 14 marks the one year anniversary of the opening of the Boaz & Ruth @ OAR resell store located on the first floor of OAR’s building at 300 E. Main Street.  The store is open Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

 Board News

 OAR welcomes the following new Board members:  LaShaun Evans, Myrtle Fultz, and Sue Kennon.  We appreciate their commitment to OAR’s mission and look forward to their service.

 Mark your calendars now for OAR’s Annual Meeting at Club 533 in Jackson Ward on Tuesday, November 29, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.  We want to encourage our supporters to attend and celebrate OAR’s 34 years of service to the community.

Ukrop’s Community Giving Program

 The Ukrop's Golden Gift Program is partnering with Benevolink for "year-round giving".  Please support OAR by registering at www.benevolink.com.  Click Join, complete the form, and click Submit.  On the next page click on the Ukrop's logo, follow the directions to register your loyalty card (enter last 8 digits of your UVC and/or First Market Bank Market Share check card), and click Add this card.  Click Search Charities, type in Offender Aid and Restoration, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.  Our organization name will appear.  Click Add button at the left.  OAR will then appear on your Giving List.  Under the % column, put 100 and then click on Give funds.  You are now fully registered.  Each quarter you should logon, go into your account and verify that funds earned by purchasing designated items at Ukrop's have been directed to OAR.

Through this Benevolink site you may also make a donation to OAR and direct more funds to OAR by registering your credit/debit card and shopping in the Benevolink Marketplace.  Please review the long list of participating merchants.  This new giving program is a secure, easy way for you to support OAR.  If you have problems registering, call Krystal Simpson at 643-2746.

 United Way Campaign

The official kickoff for this year’s United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg Campaign was September 12.  The support of United Way staff, volunteers, and contributors has provided a "security blanket" for OAR for the past 30 years.  United Way's Community Care Fund and Focused Care contribution options give you the opportunity to support hundreds of human services programs in our community.  When deciding how much you will contribute, be as generous as you can.

Thank you to…

Jessica Aber, Charles Adcock, Bon Air United Methodist Church, Sam Brumberg, Katie Campbell, Bob DeLaney, Christine Eacho, Ana Edwards, Christy Ellis, Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, Diana Gray, Kathleen Harrell, Greg Jarrell, Don Keck, Richard Massey, Brooke May, Melvina Goodman Randolph, John Rice, Krystal & Trey Simpson, Barbara Slayden, Basil Smith, Ukrop's Golden Gift Program, Wachovia Securities, Chris Walsh, Susie White, Glenn Wilson, and Morgan Wilson who donated gift certificates, money, or other items to OAR during the last quarter.