Statement of Solidarity from Arlington’s Safety Net Nonprofits
As Arlington safety net nonprofits working with marginalized people in our community, we feel and recognize the pain and suffering of so many over the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and many more not caught on camera. These deaths are reminders of just how far we still must go in the name of racial justice, while the protests are a sign that many Americans are sick and tired. Within our network are leaders and staff who, as people of color, also regularly face biases from the police, general public, and colleagues.
Safety Net Arlington stands by protestors who step up in the name of eradicating racism and advancing racial equity. The very fact that the majority of the families we serve are people of color is a result of systemic oppression and racism, which lies deeply rooted in the foundation of our nation and our own history here in Arlington.
As safety net providers, we pledge to redouble our efforts to serve and connect in solidarity with our community members who are people of color and to influence change to elevate their dignity and humanity.
- AHC, Inc.
- Arlington Community Foundation
- Arlington Food Assistance Center
- Arlington Free Clinic
- Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
- Arlington Thrive
- A-SPAN
- Aspire!
- Bonder & Amanda Johnson CDC
- Bridges to Independence
- BU-GATA
- Doorways for Women and Families
- Edu-Futuro
- Northern VA Family Service
- OAR of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church
- Phoenix House MidAtlantic
- Shirlington Employment and Education Center
- Virginia Cooperative Extension, Arlington
- Wesley Housing
Safety Net Arlington is a group of Arlington nonprofits who provide direct safety net services to Arlington’s most vulnerable residents in partnership with Arlington County. Arlington Community Foundation serves as its convener.
June 10, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, OAR
703-228-7441
ejonesvalderrama@oaronline.org
OAR NAMED “ONE OF THE BEST NONPROFITS” IN THE WASHINGTON AREA
By the Catalogue for Philanthropy
OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church has been selected as one of the best nonprofits in the DC metropolitan area by the Catalogue for Philanthropy – an independent organization that spotlights the work of small nonprofits in the community.
“We’re proud to be chosen for this honor, especially since this will be our third time receiving it,” said OAR Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama. “We expanded our mission several years ago to include social justice work to confront racism and mass incarceration as well as social services for those impacted by the criminal legal system. Selection for the Catalogue will help us expand our outreach to the community and connect with those who share our commitment to racial justice.”
As a member of the Catalogue’s 2020/2021 “class” of community-based nonprofits, OAR will be featured in the print edition of The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington for 2020/2021, which will be published later this year, as well as on the Catalogue’s website.
The Catalogue, which spotlights a network of vetted nonprofits, is the region’s only locally-focused guide to giving and volunteering. Every organization selected for listing is evaluated for excellence by a team of local experts who assess each nonprofit for impact, community need, and financial transparency.
Founded in 1974, OAR journeys with those returning to the community after incarceration, manages an alternative sentencing program for the Arlington County and City of Falls Church courts that allows others to avoid that life-altering experience, and works to achieve race equity in the criminal legal system and society at large. The organization addresses incarceration, the legal system, and all systems “upstream” (calling out the racism that permeates these systems and seeking social justice) and “downstream” (providing services to specific individuals).
Last year, OAR worked with 708 individuals who were experiencing incarceration or who had recently come home to the community as well as 1,334 adults and youth who performed community service under its supervision. Since last fall, OAR has hosted four intensive two-day anti-racism workshops for some 180 members of the community, including law enforcement partners, and has presented its racial justice work to over 700 people.
OAR is the only nonprofit in the DC metropolitan area that works with specific individuals of all genders impacted by the criminal legal system and also challenges the systemic racism responsible for mass incarceration and other structural inequities in our society.
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OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church is a community-based nonprofit that journeys with individuals of all genders who seek a safe reentry as they return to the community from incarceration. We also offer alternative sentencing options through community service to youth and adults, reducing incarceration and helping individuals avoid the life-altering trauma of that experience. We promote justice in the legal system and across all systems by addressing the systemic racism responsible for mass incarceration and other structural inequities in our society. We envision a safe and thriving community where all people – including those impacted by the criminal legal system – enjoy equal civil and human rights.
To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.OARonline.org or contact OAR Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama at 703-228-7441 or ejonesvalderrama@oaronline.org.
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June 1, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, OAR
703-228-7441
ejonesvalderrama@oaronline.org
WE CAN’T BREATHE
OAR Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama
Issues Statement on Deaths by Racism
George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day and the rage that has erupted across this country in response to that death come as no surprise.
We live in a nation built on racism where being born Black or Brown (or any color that is not white) is a crime. As a Person of Color, I live in fear and know that there are no safe spaces for people like me.
Most OAR program participants are also People of Color. As OAR’s executive director, I witness the devastating effects of racism on these individuals and their families and grieve at the way systemic inequities undermine every aspect of their lives – of our lives. I know that they are resilient people who have been failed by the legal system and all systems, that Michelle Alexander was right when she called mass incarceration the “new Jim Crow,” and that “liberty and justice for all” is a lie.
I am sad, but I am also angry — angry that Black lives clearly do not matter, angry that being a Person of Color makes you disposable, angry that racism lives in this country and in our community, angry that it kills and traumatizes my siblings of color.
This is why the work that we do at OAR is so critical. OAR is both a social service provider and an advocate for social justice. We work upstream to call out and challenge racism and downstream in solidarity with those whose lives have been – and continue to be – poisoned by it.
Last September, OAR began conducting a series of anti-racism workshops for members of the community as part of our racial justice work. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to cancel workshops scheduled for this spring and summer. But it didn’t cancel our commitment to racial justice and to continuing this conversation in the community. We will be offering Anti-Racism and Racial Justice virtual training and cohorts starting this September.
Why talk about race? Because Oscar Grant III, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Botham Jean, Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Alton Sterling, Eric Harris, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, George Floyd, and too many others are dead, and the killing continues. Because there are too many others who were killed, brutalized, accosted, and traumatized, but no video existed for any to see. Because families and communities are forever impacted. Because it feels like this country has not moved an inch. Because voices calling for justice are met with violence. Because none of us can breathe as long as racism remains a force that defines who we are, how we live, and how we die.
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OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church is a community-based nonprofit that journeys with individuals of all genders who seek a safe reentry as they return to the community from incarceration. We also offer alternative sentencing options through community service to youth and adults, reducing incarceration and helping individuals avoid the life-altering trauma of that experience. We promote justice in the legal system and across all systems by addressing the systemic racism responsible for mass incarceration and other structural inequities in our society. We envision a safe and thriving community where all people – including those impacted by the criminal legal system – enjoy equal civil and human rights.
To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.OARonline.org or contact OAR’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, at 703-228-7441 or ejonesvalderrama@oaronline.org
May 18, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, OAR
703-228-7441
ejonesvalderrama@oaronline.org
OAR SELECTED AS FINALIST FOR BEST NONPROFIT HONOR
OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church has been recognized by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce as one of three community nonprofits being considered for that organization’s Best Nonprofit Award for 2020.
“We’re excited to be a finalist for this honor from the Chamber,” said OAR Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama. “We’re proud to be part of this community and to share its commitment to equity and prosperity for all.”
The Nonprofit Award is one of six Best Business Awards presented each year by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce to honor organizations for their contributions to the community. As the Chamber explains, the awards “recognize businesses in Arlington that go above and beyond to make Arlington a great place to work and live.”
Winners in each category will be announced this fall at the Chamber’s annual Best Business Awards celebration. This event was originally scheduled for May, which is Business Appreciation Month, but has been postponed because of public safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
A panel of past winners selected the finalists for each award. They looked at evaluation factors that included the organization’s consistent delivery of exceptional service; leadership in its field; and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Founded in 1974, OAR journeys with those returning to the community after incarceration, manages an alternative sentencing program for the Arlington County and City of Falls Church courts that allows others to avoid that life-altering experience, and works to achieve race equity in the criminal legal system and society at large. We address incarceration, the legal system, and all systems “upstream” (calling out the racism that permeates these systems and seeking social justice) and “downstream” (providing services to specific individuals).
Last year the nonprofit worked with 708 individuals who were experiencing incarceration or who had recently come home to the community as well as 1,334 adults and youth who performed community service under OAR’s supervision. Since last fall, OAR has hosted four intensive two-day anti-racism workshops for some 180 individuals most of whom live or work in Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. OAR has also presented its racial justice work to over 700 people.
OAR is the only nonprofit in the DC metro area that works with specific individuals of all genders impacted by the criminal legal system and also addresses the systemic racism responsible for mass incarceration and other structural inequities in our society.
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If you would like to learn more about OAR visit our website at www.OARonline.org or contact OAR’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, at 703-228-7441 or ejonesvalderrama@oaronline.org