Offender Aid and Restoration of Richmond, Inc.

NEWSLETER ARCHIVE

Spring 2004

A Message from the Director

The loss of state funding in December, 2002, created the beginning of a struggle for OAR to continue, uninterrupted, our services to a population that effects public safety, either positively or negatively, on a daily basis. Criminal justice research reports that nationally 67% of offenders released from incarceration are re-incarcerated within 3 years. Within OAR’s service area, alone, there were 13,553 inmates released from state prisons and local jails during 2002; statewide, there were 90,199 inmates released. Government policies, state budget expenditures, and citizen support can help determine if these inmates will have a positive or negative impact on how safe we all feel in our communities.

Even though state funding has not been restored for pre-release and post-incarceration services, OAR has been diligently moving forward continuing to offer programs that further our mission of providing services to offenders that allow them the opportunity to become productive citizens. We are partnering with others to pilot new programs and to take advantage of the focus on collaboration often seen during lean fiscal times. This has allowed us to explore new services as well as new avenues for funding. Even though we have struggled financially during the past couple of years, OAR is at the beginning of a period of growth and renewed energy.

Participation in collaborations and implementation of new programs for offenders are time-consuming activities that will enhance our current services, create new opportunities for our clients, and lead to increased safety and economic well being in our community. I hope that OAR can count on your support, both financially and as advocates for offender services, as we move into our 33^rd year of operation.

Barbara A. Slayden

Volunteer News

Since July 2003, 53 volunteers have provided 1,507 hours of direct service to 372 clients; 17 other volunteers have provided 199 hours of service to the organization. Welcome to the following new volunteers… Shayna Chambers, Chris Coppler, Phyllis DeGraphenreed, Kim Mason and Velma Shaw.

Get to Know an OAR Volunteer….

Wendy Brown has been volunteering with OAR since December. She has extensive experience working with former inmates at a therapeutic community in Durham, North Carolina, and knows how difficult it is for ex-offenders to re-integrate into the community. Wendy had an interest in teaching Productive Citizenship to inmates at Richmond City Jail, but we soon found out that she has a wealth of MS Access knowledge. We recruited her to help polish our database, but she will begin her Richmond City Jail assignment soon.

When Wendy is not spending all of her free time in front of OAR’s computers, she works as a Legislative Analyst for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC). She also enjoys taking on new challenges and has been a member of the Peace Corps, ran a marathon, taken yoga classes, and participated in Toastmasters. When Wendy has free time, she enjoys spending it with her dog, Brody, who was adopted from a shelter.

Volunteer Opportunities

Facilitators for Responsibilities of Fatherhood classes at various locations
Facilitators for various activities at the Henrico Regional Jail in New Kent County
Re-entry coaches for a new youthful offender services program

If you would like to explore volunteering with OAR,
contact Jessica Hacker at 643-2746.

Celebrate Volunteerism

National Volunteer Week is April 18-24. Please take the opportunity to thank a volunteer for their devotion to spending time for the good of others. And to OAR’s volunteers, past and present, we hope you know how much we value you and how important you are to our mission.

Board News

As OAR’s renewed energy propels the organization forward, Board members will be meeting this spring and summer to renew their energies and focus on Board expansion.

The next meeting of the OAR Board of Directors is
Tuesday, April 20, 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office.

Staff News

We welcome the following additions to our staff: Andra Harris and Sam Wood. Andra is our new Central Office receptionist and Sam is a case management assistant in our new Youthful Offender Program.

Client News

Success Story

Ms. H. has been an OAR client since October, 2003. Because of her determination, the assistance of several community services providers, and the support of family and friends, Ms. H. moved quickly from jail to a transitional program where she was able to live with two of her children to full-time employment and permanent supportive housing with all three of her children. She is a perfect example of the progress that can be made and the positive changes that can occur when the determination exists and a continuum of care and support is in place in the community and readily accessible.

Community Service Project

With the help of Deputy John Oast, inmate students in OAR’s Impact of Crime on Victims class at the Richmond City Jail recently completed a videotape called “Don’t Do Me, Do You” for distribution to children and young adults in our community. The Impact of Crime Program requires the students to do a community service project from “inside”. The class facilitator, Petric Capers, OAR case manager, Ethel White, and Deputy Oast worked with the students to develop a script and rehearse their parts prior to the day of taping. The videotape is approximately 30 minutes in length and copies are available. If you would like a copy, contact Jessica Hacker. We want to thank the students, Petric, Ethel, and John for the extra time they spent on this project.

New Post-Release Service

Through the assistance of volunteers, OAR's beginner computer skills instruction classes for clients at our Central Office have finally started. Although only 6-8 hours of instruction are offered to each student, the classes fill quickly and students seem to be more excited about this program than anything we have offered before. They are eager to learn something new!

Youthful Offender Program

OAR has partnered with Weed & Seed of Richmond, Inc. to offer re-entry services to youthful offenders between the ages of 15 and 22 who are from or returning to the Gilpin and Whitcomb housing developments from a period of incarceration in either a youth or adult correctional facility. The program is currently in the planning stages and we are soliciting advice on how to best “reach” this age offender. If you are interested in volunteering or meeting with us to offer your ideas, call Barbara Slayden.

Thank You To….

A&N Employees, Bon Air United Methodist Church, Renee Brooks, Call 12, Centenary United Methodist Church, ChangeRichmond, Church of the Epiphany, Bob & Jan DeLaney, Renee Farkas, Food Lion, Dick Hall-Sizemore, Michael Hansen, Nicole Jordan, Bob King, Douglas Massey, Robert Massey, Larry Morehouse, John Oast, Lewis Parker, Brad Reynolds, Robins Foundation, Basil Smith, Maryrose Stenson, VATEX, Nancy Warman (in honor of Mary Atterholt), and Gray Wyatt who contributed gift certificates, money, or other items during this last quarter.

Upcoming Fundraising Activities

Ukrop’s Golden Gift

Help raise funds for OAR. Use your Ukrop’s Valued Customer Card through March 27 and when you receive your Golden Gift certificate in your Ukrop’s newsletter, mail it to OAR.

June 5 Wachovia Securities canalWALK

"Isabel" cancelled the last walk, but the next one is coming soon. OAR will be one of the beneficiaries of this event. Details will be announced soon.