Alternative Sentencing + Diversion

OAR partners with the local courts to offer community service as a form of alternative sentencing. Through OAR’s alternative sentencing and diversion programs, people are able to stay with their families, continue working or going to school, give back to the community, & avoid the lifelong burdens, and collateral consequences to families and children, that come with incarceration.

Community service is a form of alternative sentencing. OAR’s community service program allows individuals to do volunteer work in the community in lieu of jail time and fines and to work off their accrued court costs. OAR is also implementing a Diversion program in partnership with the Vera Institute and Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney – Arlington County and the City of Falls Church with the goal of reducing recidivism as well as racial disparities amongst individuals sentenced to diversion programs.

The OAR Community Service Department is on the journey with the following participants:

  • Individuals who are court-ordered to complete community service through the Arlington County or City of Falls Church Courts;
  • Individuals who have been approved by a Judge to complete community service in lieu of paying their court costs;
  • Individuals who are referred by their attorney to complete community service pre-trial.

OAR works with individuals of all genders (both youth and adults) in their community service work. A member of the OAR Collective works with each participant to discuss their case, review their requirements, and support them in locating a volunteer site. OAR partners with over 300 nonprofit and government agencies in the area to place our participants for community service work. Some examples of community service opportunities at local nonprofit organizations can include:

  • Helping in a food bank
  • Assisting the elderly
  • Participating in a fundraising car wash
  • Shelving books at the library
  • Tutoring at an after school program
  • Cleaning up a park

OAR participants also help at local community events including the Arlington County Fair, Air Force Cycling Classic, Columbia Pike Blues Fest, and Rosslyn Blues Festival, among others.

If you have been assigned community service hours by the Arlington County or City of Falls Church Courts, please contact OAR at 703-228-7030 to schedule an intake appointment.

If you are a nonprofit or government agency interested in benefiting from community service volunteers, please contact the Director of Community Service at 703-228-7030 or email the community service team at communityservice@oaronline.org.