The St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Arlington’s youth group and members prepared and donated 29 hypothermia kits for OAR’s clients.
“As winter approaches, these kits will be invaluable,” said OAR Executive Director Gail Arnall.
Each kit includes thermal underwear, socks, underwear, long sleeved t shirt, $10 Subway cards, shaving cream, razors, soap, q-tips, deodorant, toothbrush/paste, hand sanitizer, and snacks.
“We have men and women coming to our office directly from the Arlington and Alexandria detention centers with nothing,” explained Katy Steinbruck, OAR’s Director of Reentry. “To have these small backpacks with all of the supplies that they contain, means that these clients will have warm clothes and supplies to help them in their first few weeks out of incarceration,” she said.
When OAR clients receive a kit, staff tell them that their community, this time in the form of St. Mary’s, has come together to prepare for them returning home. It is a nice message to be able to give someone who is coming back to the community not sure that anyone cares.
These kits, along with OAR’s reentry services, go a long way in helping OAR clients during this difficult transition time. If you would like to make a donation to OAR please contact Lindsay at 703-228-7031 or by email at lcaldwell@oaronline.org