This fall, 11 seminary students from the Virginia Theological Seminary came to OAR three times a week for 8 weeks to work with OAR clients coming out of incarceration.
“We had such a good experience,” said one Seminarian. “It was eye opening to see what barriers face those with a criminal record.”
The students came to OAR to complete their required internships as part of their Social Ministry degree program. While at OAR, they created a module on interviewing skills, developed an intake form for OAR’s employment program, assisted with the facilitation of reentry workshops and supper clubs, and volunteered with our evening Post Release Employment Program (PREP).
“These men and women were incredible,” said Katy Steinbruck, Director of OAR’s Reentry Department. One of our clients said: ‘I look forward each seek to the fun that Seminarians would bring.’ Me too!” Katy said.
OAR is clear that an effective Reentry Program means that our community must become knowledgeable about the challenges those coming back home from incarceration face. We are one community; we all need help occasionally. These 11 Seminarians “get it!” If you would like to have a similar volunteer experience, please contact Lindsay Caldwell at lcaldwell@oaronline.org.