A Message from the Director

 

Although contributions have been down considerably during the past two years, OAR has been enjoying a major increase in volunteers which has given us the opportunity to enhance post-release services for our clients by adding a variety of new activities such as drum circles and fellowship support groups.

 

The Community’s Commitment to Reentry is the theme of OAR’s Annual Meeting on December 9.  Our volunteers are making that commitment every day.  They are working either individually or in groups with clients who have also made a commitment—to do their best to learn new skills to help with their transition back into the community.  It isn’t always easy for them, but with the combination of professional staff and community volunteers they do not have to do it alone.

 

I encourage all our volunteers to attend our annual meeting this year so that the importance of the community’s involvement in reentry can be recognized and reinforced.  I look forward to seeing everyone on December 9.

 

Barbara A. Slayden

 

 

FY 2010 Client Service Highlights

 

·  1,786 pre-release and 2,089 post-release clients served at 10 locations

·  16,151 units of job search assistance and employment services provided

·  10,390 education and support group sessions attended

·  1,983 service units provided to obtain identification documents

·  1,681 clients received housing assistance

·  87 full-time and 34 part-time jobs obtained

·  253 job retention incentives earned for maintaining consistent employment

·  7,478 units of transportation assistance provided for job search/interviews and medical appointments

·  137 community volunteers provided 3,965 hours of service to the organization and its clients

 

Volunteer News

 

From July 2010 through September 2010, 115  volunteers have provided more than 1,421 hours of their time to OAR and our clients.  This includes working on client resumes, conducting mock interviews, and as mentors, group facilitators, and board members. 

 

Welcome to the following volunteers and interns who recently began their assignments:  Osvaldo Blas, Lauren Boasso, Bryanna Brown, Erin Delp, Krystal Edmonds, Jeffrey Gill, Dominic Greco, Veronica Irving, Kimberly Kirkland, William Stewart Morris, Francis Nelson, Danny O’Hanley, Catherine Schilling, Bill Sharkey, David Stevenson, Carla Turnage, Lesley Tyson, and John Wajciechowski.

 

Get to Know an OAR Volunteer

 

Auggie was born in Brooklyn, New York and is Puerto Rican American.  Having grown up with an uncle who owned a bar, he was provided the opportunity to become intimately acquainted with alcohol at a very early age.  By the time he was an adult, being drunk became the norm.  Auggie was very talented and after high school he attended the Parsons School of Design University in New York.  He then ran his own business designing clothes for over 25 years.  While he managed to be very successful, the alcohol became too much for him to handle.  A friend had told him about AA and he decided that he had to give it a chance. 

 

In 2006, Auggie decided to move to Virginia to escape the hustle and bustle of New York and has been in recovery for almost three years.  In July of 2010, Auggie began volunteering at the Chesterfield County Jail to show the Spanish speaking community who are suffering from alcoholism that there is hope in sobriety.  At times it can be difficult, as some of the Spanish speaking inmates are overwhelmed with the anxiety stemming from possible deportation.  However, Auggie finds joy in their hope that AA can work…if they work it. 

 

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Volunteers are needed to facilitate Responsibilities of Fatherhood programs and NA meetings at Henrico County Jail, Pamunkey Regional Jail, Chesterfield County Jail, and Richmond City Jail.  We also need volunteers at Petersburg City Jail for AA and NA meetings, Male Responsibility, Money Management, and Anger Management.  Lastly, we have a large demand for male mentors for Richmond City Jail’s Second Chance program and male and female “coaches” for OAR’s Second Chance project to work with inmates at several nearby partner prisons. 

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please call Pam Holmes at 643-2746 for more information.

 

Client News

 

Jamal first became acquainted with OAR at the James River Correctional Center toward the end of his 16 year incarceration.  He was enrolled in the Richmond Regional Reentry Program and quickly took advantage of the opportunity to be matched with a Second Chance Coach.  When Justin Ihara, Second Chance Program Case Manager, first met with Jamal, he quickly realized that Jamal was all business and would need a coach with a similar personality. 

 

Prior to Jamal’s release, he met with his new Second Chance Coach, Mr. Lucas, and Justin to begin their mentor relationship.  Jamal and Mr. Lucas immediately hit it off and got straight to work.  Mr. Lucas began establishing contact with Jamal’s family on the outside, which would be essential to Jamal’s housing plan.  Upon release in August, Jamal had a stable relationship and housing plan with his father. 

 

Since then, Jamal has obtained employment doing maintenance for a rental property owner, a driver’s license, and a truck.  He is also enrolled in a new work experience/on-the-job training program at OAR’s Central Office.  Jamal still meets with his coach on a weekly basis, working on new goals, and enjoying their relationship every step of the way.  Two of the new goals include establishing a relationship with his son and learning how to make decisions as an adult on the outside, which can be challenging for someone who has been incarcerated since age 17.    

 

Staff News

 

Grace Camillo, case manager, Henrico County jails, left OAR in September; Nathan Hamm, former OAR case manager, is providing part-time services at the jails until the position is filled.  Matt Crawford, Community Resources Coordinator, has taken a position with Greater D.C. Cares.  Due to OAR’s budget deficit this year, these positions will not be filled for several months.  Pam Holmes and Calvin Weaver will temporarily be covering Matt’s job duties.      

 

News in Brief

 

·       We are excited to announce the first annual LaShaun Marie Evans Award.  Given in memory of LaShaun Marie Evans, former OAR client and Board member, this award will be presented to an individual with an adult criminal conviction who has refused to be defined by their past and strives to better themselves and their community through countless acts of kindness and service.  The winner will be presented with a $500 award and plaque recognizing their successful reintegration into their community.  The deadline for nominations is November 17, 2010.  If you need a nomination form, contact Pam Holmes.

·       The Richmond Regional Reentry Council held The State of Reentry in Our Region Community Forum on October 14. This was the first of a series of community forums to be sponsored by the Council.

 

Thank you to….

 

Charles Adcock, Lauren Boasso, Carolyn & Malcolm Briggs, Colonial Webb Contractors, Dominic Greco, Goodwill of Central Virginia, Lloyd Ann Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation serving Richmond and Central Virginia, Richard Massey, James Payne, Mr. & Mrs. R. Ford Reid, Elizabeth & Seth Roberts, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, and Yakabod, Inc. who donated gift certificates, money, or other items to OAR during the last quarter.

 

 

Your support of the 2010 United Way campaign is a powerful way to reach out a hand to one and influence the condition of all.  When we support United Way, we help all children have an equal chance to succeed, assist older adults in maintaining health and independence, and provide adults and families with resources to achieve and maintain financial stability.  When supporting United Way, you enhance OAR’s capacity to combat the challenges of offender reentry.  Please give as generously as you can.  To see the Live United message in action, go to

www.yourunitedway.org