We are thrilled to be sharing with you all of the successes and accomplishments that OAR participants have achieved through our programs from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. With your help and support, OAR was able to provide the following assistance:

Overall

• 2,014 total individuals were supported 

Community Service 

• 1,432 individuals were enrolled in the Community Service Program, including 230 boys and girls under the age of 18
• 89% of Community Service participants successfully completed all of their hours
• 127,000 total hours of community service were completed by OAR participants
• 2.5 million dollars worth of community service work was given back to the community 
• Community Service participants volunteered at over 100 community-based events

Reentry  

• 635 individuals received Reentry assistance (both pre and post-release)
• 100 units of food, 850 units of transportation, 373 units of clothing, and 15 IDs were provided for Reentry participants 
• 47 total classes were offered to individuals in the Arlington County Detention Facility (ACDF) including Employability Readiness, Addiction Awareness, Parenting, Health Awareness, Money Management, Creative Writing, Fatherhood, Math for Building Trades, Ethics, Reentry Readiness, and Wellness among others
• 394 ACDF residents participated in at least one class 
• 19 OAR volunteers and 4 staff members taught classes in ACDF
• OAR's Intensive Reentry Program (IRP) has seen 50 participants since July 2015 and they have a 14% recidivism rate which is much lower in comparison to the 54% in the state of Virginia for medium to high-risk individuals within 1 year 

Thomas's involvement in the criminal justice system began at an early age. Since he was eleven years old, Thomas had not spent a Thanksgiving or Christmas at home. He was finishing an eight-year sentence at Coffeewood Correctional Center in Culpeper, VA, which he received in 2010, less than four months after being released from a twelve-year sentence. However, this time around, Thomas was looking to do something different with his life upon his release. 

Thomas first encountered OAR while he was incarcerated at Coffeewood Correctional Center. From July 2017 until his release in January 2018, Thomas met with OAR staff once every week for two-hour sessions to work on his reentry plan. He worked with OAR's Reentry team to identify his major criminogenic risk factors and through behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care, the OAR team was able to assist Thomas in his process of self-discovery. OAR also worked with Thomas to reconnect with his family prior to his release, which was a huge step in his journey. 

After his release in January 2018, OAR continued to assist Thomas with transition planning and provided him with basic needs such as transportation assistance, hygiene items, clothing, and OAR even provided Thomas with a cell phone and helped with the monthly payments. OAR was also able to support Thomas with his mental health needs by helping him develop a medication adherence regimen, working on strengthening his interpersonal skills, as well as connecting him with mental health services provided from other public and non-profit social service agencies. 

With your support, OAR is able to help individuals like Thomas through their reentry journey. Thank you for joining us in giving these individuals the second and fair chance they deserve in this community. 

*Name changed to protect the privacy of the participant. The photo is a stock photo and not necessarily representative of the participant.

For this month's Volunteer Spotlight we are highlighting all of our wonderful volunteers who were recognized at Volunteer Arlington's "Arlington Cares" event for completing over 100 hours of service over the past year! Thank you to all of these individuals for their service and support of OAR's mission:

• Elizabeth "Ms. Betty" Ahern
• Mike Bates
• Karin Battle
• Katie Brown
• Margeret Clark
• Sandy Cleva
• Natalie Cote
• Brett Covington
• Mara D'Amico
• Kathleen Deal
• Kathy Dwyer
• Marilyn Falksen
• Tim Felker
• Gladys Jones
• Sharon Kotok
• Shani Kruljac
• Barbara Lowrey
• Kate Miner
• Caitlyn Moravecek
• Peter Mueller
• Susan Olson
• Nora Palmatier
• Karin Price
• Fatma Saeed
• Alejandra Santaolalla
• Christine Searle
• Ann Springer
• Wendy Webb
• Douglas White

OAR could not function without the work of all our dedicated volunteers! Thank you to each and every one of these individuals for devoting their time and effort to OAR and for believing in our mission! For more information on the awardees of Volunteer Arlington's "Arlington Cares" event, visit their website. 

Want to find ways of volunteering with OAR? Come to a free 1-hour tour of OAR's mission and learn about volunteer opportunities! Click here to RSVP. 

Arlington County Fair

August 15, 2018 to August 19, 2018  

Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street S., Arlington, VA

Save the date for the Arlington County Fair this summer! The Arlington County Fair is a non-profit volunteer-driven organization that embraces a diverse community by educating, entertaining, and showcasing the best of Arlington for the past 40 years for all ages! Admission to the fair is free there will be shuttle services provided from locations throughout Arlington. OAR will have a booth indoors starting from Friday, August 17 to Sunday, August 19 so stop by and say hello when you have the chance! For more information about the Arlington County Fair, click here to visit their website.

Sing Out For Second Chances

October 28, 2018

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 711 N Columbus St, Alexandria, VA 

Join OAR for an evening of inspirational music presented by local faith community choirs and guest speakers from OAR to discuss the power and importance of second chances! The event will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. More details about the event are soon to come, but for now save the date on your calendars. You don't want to miss out! 

Arlington Turkey Trot

November 22, 2018

Mark your calendar's for the 13th year of the Arlington Turkey Trot coordinated by the Christ Church of Arlington! OAR is honored to be a beneficiary organization for this year's event. Your registration will help to support OAR, as well as five other local nonprofit organizations. Online registration will open on September 1, 2018, so be on the lookout! In the meantime, visit the Turkey Trot website here for additional information. 

OAR's Second Chance Fundraising Breakfast 

April 19, 2018

Save the date for OAR's 11th Annual Second Chance Fundraising Breakfast! Come join OAR for a free, hot breakfast and to hear an amazing program about OAR's mission and hear participant stories. Registration and additional details for the Breakfast will be up on our website and social media closer to the date of the event so stay tuned! 

Want to learn more about us? Want to volunteer? Join us for a free one-hour tour of our mission at the OAR office! Guests will hear about OAR's programs and services from the team members who are working in the programs, tour the OAR office, and hear participant success stories. We promise to end on time and to have snacks you can enjoy! Below is a list of upcoming dates and times. Please sign up here or contact Heather Pritchett at hpritchett@oaronline.org.

Upcoming Tour Dates: 

• Thursday, August 23, 12:00PM
• Thursday, September 13, 6:30PM
• Tuesday, September 25, 12:00PM
• Thursday, October 11, 8:00AM
• Wednesday, October 24, 12:00PM

1. Make a monetary donation to OAR by clicking here
2. Donate Target and/or Amazon gift cards in increments of $10 each for OAR participants
3. Shop on our Amazing Wish List: OAR's Amazon Wish List 
4. Donate through United Way designation #8078
   • additional fees by UW are applied 
5. Donate through CFC designation #26226
   • additional fees by CFC are applied
6. Attend a free 1-hour OAR Tour or an OAR Event and bring your friends: http://oaronline.org/oar-tours-upcoming-events/