A Message from the Director

OAR’s annual meeting this year was all about community commitment to reentry and the results of that commitment as experienced by our clients. The event highlighted several community collaborations and individual community members who volunteer their time to provide much needed support systems to OAR clients. Thank you to everyone who shared this evening with us as we recognized clients and our faithful, hard working volunteers and community collaborators. The event was an inspiration to all in attendance based on the many positive comments I have received.

With a new year underway, I would like to encourage all of our readers to consider volunteering if you are not already doing so. We have many clients who could benefit from having a support system in the community other than staff from OAR or other community organizations from whom they receive services; mentoring and other volunteer roles provide that opportunity.

When some clients walk out our door each day after seeing their case manager, they are all alone. Due to sometimes lengthy incarcerations or “burning their bridges” over years of assorted criminal activity, they have no family members to turn to and no friends—unless they want to return to “friends” who were their associates in crime or substance abuse. Sometimes just one person in the community who cares about you, listens to you, and can offer advice makes all the difference. Try to imagine having no friends or family—what would you do, how would you feel? We should not allow that to be the case with anyone in our community.

Barbara A. Slayden

Get to Know an OAR Volunteer

OAR is happy to be hosting two interns from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Catherine Schilling and Erin Delp began their internships in August and will continue until May. A two-semester internship has given them time to learn the ropes at OAR and truly become members of our team.

Catherine comes from South Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Presbyterian College. Since she moved to Richmond, she has obtained her Master’s Degree in Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary and is now a first year student in VCU's Master of Social Work Program. Catherine interns at the Central Office two days each week. During those two days, Catherine case manages a few clients of her own, facilitates a weekly Job Club which she researched and created, and offers to help with other activities as needed.

Erin is on schedule to graduate from VCU this May with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Afterward, she would like to stay at the school and continue in the Master’s of Social Work Program. As part of her internship, Erin assists Sherry Hoover, the OAR case manager at the Chesterfield County Jail, for approximately 14 hours a week. She also facilitates

a FOCUS peer-support group within the jail’s Substance Abuse Education Program. Erin exhibits a keen ability to understand the inmate population and has been a huge help to Sherry.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed to serve as mentor coaches in OAR's Second Chance Coaching Project. In this project, a Richmond Regional Reentry Program participant and a community volunteer are matched together based on personality type and interests. Coaches begin visiting their assigned participant pre-release and continue to meet with the individual once each week for a year in the community. There are many benefits to becoming a coach including

on-going education. For more information about how you can assist one of our returning citizens, please contact Morgan Salvador at 643-2746.

Volunteers are also needed to facilitate several educational groups for inmates at the Richmond City Jail, Henrico County Jail and Pamunkey Regional Jail. Facilitators are needed to teach Parenting and Healthy Relationship classes to the women at Henrico and Pamunkey. Openings are also available at Richmond and Pamunkey for facilitators for Anger Management and Life without a Crutch classes for men. At the Central Office, volunteers are needed to conduct computer classes and Drum Circles during the week day once each week. Volunteers may also assist clients with mock interviews or resume writing. Call Calvin Weaver at 643-2746 for more information about these volunteer opportunities.

Client News

Mr. J, age 49, first requested services at OAR in April, 2010.  He had been released from the federal system after serving 13 years for bank robbery and was living at the Salvation Army at the time of his intake with OAR.  Mr. J. wanted to establish a positive support system to learn a new way of dealing with stressors on the “outside".   Although he receives partial disability benefits due to his AIDS diagnosis, he wanted to find part-time employment which would increase his daily structure. 

The OAR case manager referred him to OAR's substance abuse counselor.  Mr. J. attended all of his scheduled appointments at OAR, became a regular participant in the Substance Abuse Group, and came to depend on the counselor as a "sounding board"--frequently asking his opinion of his plans for moving forward.   

Within a couple of months, Mr. J. had obtained his identification documents, a part-time job, and stable housing through OAR's assistance.  His housing, provided by another community organization, is income-based and meets his health needs at this time.  After accomplishing these tasks, he still maintains close contact with his case manager and substance abuse counselor.  Mr. J. says that OAR

gave him the initial support he needed to stay focused, positive, and determined to reach his goals.

Christmas at OAR

Once again this year, OAR case managers selected 24 client families, including 50 children, with an incarcerated parent to participate in our annual Adopt-a-Client’s Family Christmas Program. Generous donations from members of the Church of the Epiphany, the Brooks family, and the Fifth Baptist Church congregation made Christmas a little merrier for these families. Because of continuous support from the community, OAR has been able to continue this special holiday program for 19 years.

Our annual holiday party for post-release clients was held on December 21. Everyone celebrated the holidays by enjoying refreshments and “shopping” in our Christmas store. Clients were able to choose two gifts, either for themselves or loved ones. Staff and volunteers helped clients make their selection and wrap the gifts. The smiles on our clients’ faces that afternoon quickly got us into the Christmas spirit.

Board News

The OAR Board of Directors held its Annual Meeting on December 9 at the Richmond Police Training Academy. Board President, Katie Campbell, moderated the event. This year's agenda was jam-packed with examples of how the metro Richmond community is making a difference in the lives of returning citizens. Katie gave an overview of the region’s increased commitment to reentry, including Richmond City Council and Mayor Dwight Jones’ proclamation declaring October 11–17 Richmond Regional Citizen Reentry Awareness Week. Scott Richeson, Virginia Department of Corrections' new Assistant Director for Reentry and Programs, presented her agency’s plan to improve the reentry process for state prisoners.

OAR staff and Board highlighted three programs within the organization that are making a big impact: the Second Chance Coaching Project, Ed Gilchrist’s GED classes, and Luther Palmer’s on-the-job training program. The evening concluded with the presentation of the LaShaun Evans Award for Community Reintegration to Frances Wake, a Fan Free Clinic outreach worker, who spoke about the challenges she had overcome. A big thank you to

the Positive Vibe Café for catering the event.

Thank You To….

The Bowyer Studio, Inc., ReNee Brooks, Virginia Brown, Katie Campbell, Polly Chamberlain, Chesterfield County Jail Canteen Fund, Church of the Epiphany, ColonialWebb Contractors, Mr. & Mrs. Bob DeLaney, Fifth Baptist Church, Susan Gibson, Edward Gilchrist, Ernestine Gilpin, Diana Gray, Jessica Hacker, Stephen Harms, Charlene Hodges, David Klisz, Suzanne Jenkins, Tony Mines, Mary Munton, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, Barbara Slayden, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Sledd, Sledd Family Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation serving Richmond and Central Virginia, Basil Smith, Alice Tousignant, Michael Whipple, Lawrence Wilder, Jr., Frank Wood, and Yakabod, Inc. who donated gift certificates, money, or other items to OAR since our last newsletter.

Happy New Year!