A Message from the Director

During the past six months, OAR’s post-release and administrative staff have been reviewing current service delivery procedures in an effort to reduce the amount of time clients have to wait in the reception area to see their case manager and to further strengthen the continuity of our services and support.  One result of our review is that clients no longer change case managers when they become employed—they stay with the same case manager who did their intake as long as they continue to come into the office for services.  Even though the number of clients has increased only slightly during the past three years, there has been a 65% increase in the number of service units provided during that time period.  Clients come into the office more frequently and their service needs have increased significantly.      

We are gradually making these and other changes and making sure that our clients understand each change before we implement the next one.  Within the next couple of months we will be instituting a “levels” system for our clients which will provide incentives as they move up to the next level, but also require more accountability from them.  We will be adding a Problem Solving/Goal Setting group and a Job Club while continuing our FOCUS group, GED classes, and Substance Abuse counseling group.  These groups provide clients constructive activities and additional opportunities to interact with others in their same situation.

As with others in our community, this past year has been difficult for many of our clients who have experienced layoffs, homelessness, and increased depression and frustration during their job search.  We are hoping that by offering more educational and support group opportunities, they can make it through these tough times without re-offending.  We are very appreciative that we have so many supportive staff, volunteers, and community partners to help guide our clients through their everyday ups and downs.           

Barbara A. Slayden

Volunteer News

From July through December, 2009, 86 volunteers have provided 1,364 hours of their time to OAR and our clients as mentors, group facilitators, and Board members.

Several volunteers participated in special projects recently.  Nathan Hamm, Shelby Vincent, and Pamela Wilson volunteered at Project Homeless Connect in November helping us to connect Richmond’s homeless to appropriate services. Monica Behney, Hiawkal Gizachew, OAR intern, Nathan Hamm, Karen Kelly, Susan Webb, and Pamela Wilson were instrumental in helping provide holiday programs for OAR clients. 

Welcome to the following volunteers who recently came onboard:  Cynthia Booker, Sean Booty, Carolyn and Malcolm Briggs, Lorrie Brooks, Guenter Gensbygel, Clarence Harris, Kenneth Harris, Annie Henderson, Deloris Jordan, Rose Muse, Lindsey Oliver, Diane Saltzburg, Karen Sandoval, Tracey Williams, and Pamela Wilson.

 Get to Know an OAR Volunteer

Carolyn and Malcolm Briggs contacted OAR some time ago about “doing something to help”.  At that time the Briggs were closing out businesses they had owned and operated in the Richmond area for over 40 years.  When OAR was awarded a Second Chance Mentoring and Transition Services grant, we thought this would be a perfect opportunity for the Briggs.  After orientation, training, and obtaining prison clearances, Carolyn and Malcolm began as Second Chance coaches in the fall of 2009.  They were paired with a Richmond Regional Reentry Program participant, Tommy, who is currently incarcerated at Powhatan Correctional Center and nearing his release.  As expected, the Briggs and Tommy hit if off from the beginning and are building their relationship through the Briggs’ monthly visits.  They are assisting him with setting goals for his release and studying for his GED test; they will continue to develop their mentoring relationship with him in the community after his release. 

Carolyn and Malcolm have volunteered in a similar capacity before, but they were on their own.  This time, they like being part of the OAR and Richmond Regional Reentry Program teams.  As members of the team, Carolyn and Malcolm believe they can learn to more effectively coach individuals going through the challenging process of reentry and help them identify and access crucial resources.

The couple believes that what they’ve been able to learn (and they know there’s more to learn) about the difference between the culture of life in prison and the culture of life outside of prison is essential to their ability to work with this population.  Carolyn believes that “until we understand that those who live in prison and those who live outside of prison need to find ways to become members of one community, we won’t be able to provide the support needed by our neighbors who face the challenges of reentry and rehabilitation”.

 Volunteer Opportunities

 Volunteers are needed to facilitate several educational groups for inmates at the Henrico County Jail, Henrico County Regional Jail, Chesterfield County Jail, Pamunkey Regional Jail, and Petersburg City Jail. 

 Volunteers are especially needed to carry NA recovery meetings to Chesterfield County Jail, Pamunkey Regional Jail, and Richmond City Jail and to carry a Spanish-language AA meeting to Chesterfield County Jail.  Lastly, volunteers are needed at the Central Office to conduct mock interviews and help with client resumes.  Call Matthew Crawford at 643-2746 for more information.

 Client News

Kay began working with OAR and the Richmond Regional Reentry Program Services Team in April, 2008.  During the six months prior to her release from Fluvanna Correctional Center, Kay and the team developed a plan to address many of the challenges she would face in the community.  She was referred to Jim Temple, McGuire Hospital’s Reentry Veterans Specialist.  Jim met with Kay before her release and determined that she was eligible to receive much needed medical and substance abuse recovery services from the VA.  DOC Probation and Parole staff arranged for Kay to enter the Stellar House upon her release.

After Kay was released, she quickly accessed both Veteran’s Affairs and OAR services.  Her OAR Reentry Specialist assisted her with her job search, community referrals, and obtaining identification.  Three months after her release, she gained full-time employment at a local hotel and has been enjoying that job ever since.  After securing a stable job, Jim referred Kay to the HUD-VASH program, which provides supportive housing vouchers to eligible veterans.  With her voucher, Kay was able to move out of Stellar House and into her own townhouse.  She has now been working for over 6 months and received her 6-month employment incentive from OAR last fall.  While Kay has recidivated numerous times in the past, she feels confident that following the release plan that she developed with the reentry team will help her break that cycle.  She continues to be extremely grateful to the reentry team and others who have been involved in her successful reintegration into the community. 

 Staff News

 In October, OAR welcomed our newest staff member,   Tony Mines, intake case manager in the Central Office.  Mr. Mines lived in Spain for a number of years and is fluent in Spanish which is a very helpful addition to our organization. 

 Holidays Come to OAR

This year, OAR case managers selected 27 client families, including 60 children, to participate in our  annual Adopt-a-Client’s Family Christmas program.  While these clients were incarcerated over the holidays, gifts were generously donated by the Church of the Epiphany congregation, Inside Out Reach RVA, OAR staff and Board, and the Urael Sisterhood so that their families might have a more enjoyable holiday season.  Gifts included children’s toys, clothing, and gift certificates to local stores. 

Our annual holiday party for post-release clients was held Thursday, December 17.  Everyone celebrated the holidays enjoying refreshments while clients took turns “shopping” in our Christmas store for two gifts for themselves or loved ones.  Staff and volunteers helped with the store—even wrapping gifts. The opportunity to see the smiles on the clients’ faces as they selected their gifts quickly got us into the Christmas spirit.   

 Board News

The OAR Board of Directors held its Annual Meeting on December 1 at the Richmond Police Academy.  Board President Katie Campbell moderated the event, which was kicked off with a performance by the Richmond Police Choir.  Our speaker, LaTonya Reed, Policy Analyst with the Virginia Interfaith Center, spoke about restoration of rights issues effecting thousands of residents in our community.  Guests had the opportunity to ask questions about the topic.  The event was catered by Breadwinners.  

Thank You To….

Janis Bowyer, Virginia Brown, Katie Campbell, Capital One, Brian Cassel, Chesterfield County Jail Canteen Fund, John Cobb, Jan & Bob DeLaney, Christine Eacho, Laura Finch, Jessica & George Forsythe, Susan Gibson, Diana Gray, Healing Connections, Charlene Hodges, Pamela Holmes, Jackson Law Group, P.C., Dr. Suzanne Jenkins, R. Kirk Jonas, Anne Louise Mason, William Massey, Alane & Scott Miles, Dubois Miller, Tony Mines, Suzanne Munson, Ross Patterson, Mr. & Mrs. R. Ford Reid, John Rice, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, David Schottel, Nancy & Paul Springman, Gail & Harold Straus, Urael Sisterhood, Frank Wood, and Martin Younker who donated money, gift certificates, or other items during the last quarter.