Summer 2005

Message from the Director

Amid the constant grant writing, the presentations to community groups about the positive impact of OAR's services on public safety, the building and nurturing of collaborations that serve to increase resources and advocacy for our clients, and the continuing struggle to raise funds, it has always been essential for me to keep our clients as my #1 priority.  Their successes and OAR's achievements renew my energy on a daily basis.

With some clients their achievements are almost immediate and OAR provides the support system they need to maintain their successes--other clients' journeys to becoming productive citizens take longer and require more patience from staff and the community.

A few months ago, a client came in the office to get the incentive he had earned for maintaining consistent full-time employment for 3 years.  He had been an OAR client since 1995.  His journey had included homelessness, labor pools, one new arrest, substance abuse relapses, and ongoing questioning of whether he could make the changes he wanted to make to improve the quality of his life.  He stuck in there and OAR stuck in there with him.  Was it worth the investment of time and patience from staff and money from our supporters?  If you had spent the afternoon with him as I did talking about the enjoyment of his new life, plans for his future, his reconciliation with grown children, and seeing the spark in his eyes, you would have said, "Yes, without a doubt, that was a very good investment".

Last week, a new client stopped by my office to thank me for everything staff had been helping him with--he had been out of prison for 4 days and had been in OAR's office to work with his case manager each of those days.  He had already obtained employment and was to begin work the following week.  He had lost contact with his family during his incarceration and had no friends in the area.  He said, "I don't know what I would have done without this organization and I just wanted to let you know that if there is anything I can do for OAR, please let me know".

In each newsletter during this new fiscal year, we will tell you more about OAR's achievements and our clients' successes.  Whether you are a volunteer, funder, advocate, or supporter of OAR's mission in other ways, I hope these stories will give you the comfort of knowing that your investment is making a difference.

Barbara A. Slayden

Volunteer News

Since July 2004, 62 volunteers have provided 2,231 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:  David Burgoyne, Richard Gates, Kathleen Harrell, Ralph Harris, and John Perkins.

Thanks to William and Sheila Reid of One Step Ahead/People's People Outreach Mission Ministry some OAR clients have been given the opportunity to learn drywall skills through a training program the Reids started last month.  These volunteer efforts increase the employment options for our clients.

Get to Know an OAR Volunteer…

Kathleen Harrell joined OAR as a volunteer in April 2005.  She facilitates the "Life Without a Crutch” female group at the Pamunkey Regional Jail.  She brings experience in teaching and adult education as well as volunteer experience with other human service agencies.  Due to her human resources experience, Mrs. Harrell will also begin helping our Central Office clients with mock interviews as they prepare to seek employment.  Although she has only been with us a short time, she has taken her place at two locations with OAR, making her a valuable volunteer for these programs.

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 an 11 week program. 

J      Introduction to Keyboarding and PC Usage:  Instruct post-release clients at our Central Office in PC usage.

J      Calendar Project:  Provide your graphic arts and software expertise for this short-term project.

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

Board News

We welcome Lewis Parker to the OAR Board of Directors.  Lewis is a former Board member and longtime friend of the agency.  He currently assists us by working in the Boaz & Ruth @ OAR store on Tuesday evenings.

Thanks to everyone that helped make the 2005 Wachovia Securities canalWALK a huge success!

Staff News

We welcome the following additions to our staff:  Ebony Harris, Nicole Sturdivant, and Melvina Goodman Randolph.  Ebony, a former volunteer, is our new case manager who provides services to the Youthful Offender Reentry Program and Pamunkey Regional Jail clients.  Nicole is the new Employment Services Case Manager in the Central Office.  Melvina is our new Associate Director and former Impact of Crime on Victims volunteer. 

OAR needs the following items for our clients:

ü      Black and beige pants for men and women

ü      Black shoes for men and women

ü      Basic work tools such as hammers, levels, tool belts, safety goggles, hard hats, etc.

ü      Personal hygiene items such as soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.

ü      $10 restaurant/grocery store (on the busline) gift card for job retention incentives program

Thank You To…

Jessica Aber, Christy Ellis, V. E. Fleming, Robin Henley, Anne Jones, Robin Jones, Gail Kemper, Bob King, Solon Mitchell, Suzanne Munson, Janis Pritchard, Barbara Slayden, Becky Smith, Alethia Watford, and Gloria Woolfolk for Ukrop's Golden Gift certificates; Penelope Anderson, Nicole Archer, Donna Banks, Vanessa Barber, Lenore Brashler, Jane Brown, Wendy Brown, Patricia Burrell, Allen Chamberlain, Suzen Collins, William Conkle, Keisha Cummings, Gwynne Cunningham, Ihsani Deavers, David Dick, Grace Diliberto, Gilbert Elamin, James Ericson, Christine Gibson, Kay Gray, Deborah Hamlin, Arla Hargrove, Leslie Hawthorne, Daniel Hill, Frances Howarth, Donna Jacobs, Suzanne Jenkins, Sharon Johnson, W. R. Johnson, Jr., Reginald Jones, David Klisz, Charles Lindsey, Karen Lockhart, Dr. Joseph McGreal, Freida McNeil, Rhonda McPherson-Harris, Bennie Miles, Jr., Robin Mills, James Morris, John Myers, Judy Philpott, Carol-Lee Raimo, Crystal Randolph, William Riley, Michael Roberson, Krystal Simpson, Barbara Slayden, Paul & Nancy Springman, Susan Stanbach, Frankie Steele, John Tillman, Cynthia Turnage, Ethel White, Stewart White, James Willett, Pamela Williams-Holmes, and Michael Wright who made a contribution to OAR during the last United Way campaign; Charles Adcock, Tasha Brubaker, Marguerite Foley, Kathleen Harrell, Jenkins Foundation, Richard Massey, New Hanover Presbyterian Church "Tweeners" youth program, Lewis Parker, The Richmond Academy of Medicine Alliance Foundation, Inc., and Gray Wyatt who contributed gift certificates, money, or other items to OAR during the last quarter.

Have a Great Summer!