,

Wow 2019 is going fast! Thanks to your support, 2018 was another fantastic year for OAR's participants and we can't wait to see all of the accomplishments and successes 2019 has in store! 

I am excited to introduce you to Jessica, an OAR community Service participant. I hope as you read her story, you continue to be inspired by the power of restorative justice which you make possible and the great purpose it serves in our community. 

Also be sure to read below about our 11th Annual Second Chance Fundraising Breakfast on April 9th! 

Thank you again for your heartfelt support! I'm thrilled to continue to work together to strengthen our community through second and fair chances. 

Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, MA, CVA
Executive Director

A Participant Story: Meet "Jessica"*

Jessica had over 100 hours of court-mandated community service to complete through OAR's Community Service Program. Having trouble finding out how to balance her community service hours with her work schedule, Jessica came in to meet with an OAR Case Manager to figure out how she could best organize her time to complete all of her hours by her deadline. Jessica had very minimal experience volunteering before, but after her first meeting with her Case Manager, she stated she was excited about the opportunity to work with different nonprofits in the area. Over the next few months, Jessica volunteered regularly at two different local nonprofits and also helped out at OAR events to complete her hours. She was always a huge help and a bright light of energy wherever she went to volunteer. One of Jessica's site supervisors even emailed her OAR Case Manager to tell her wonderful it was to have Jessica volunteer with them. Her site supervisor stated, "Jessica's time has been a valuable piece of the work we are doing to build communities that include people of all abilities and we thank her for all of her help and support." Jessica successfully completed all of her hours and closed out her case. She had such a wonderful experience working with the OAR Team and the organizations she volunteered for, that she told her Case Manager she is going to continue to find more ways to volunteer in her community in her own time. 

If you are a nonprofit, faith community, civic or government organization, contact us at communityservice@oaronline.org to learn how Community Service volunteers can support your organization and events! 

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

Volunteer Spotlight

This month, we would like to dedicate our Volunteer Spotlight to all of the volunteers who came to complete a service project for us on Martin Luther King Jr. Day! In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, OAR along with many other local nonprofit organizations, worked with Volunteer Arlington to bring you a Day of Service, making it a "day on, not a day off." Thank you to all the individuals who came out to serve our community and to remind us that acts of service truly make a difference! 

Interested in volunteering with OAR? Here are some upcoming volunteer opportunities!

Represent OAR at a Mission Fair

Sunday, March 31, 2019, 11:00am - 12:30pm

On Sunday, March 31st, OAR will participate in Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ's Mission Fair. Two volunteers are needed to set up OAR's table and serve as OAR representatives. You don't need to be an OAR expert - we can provide you with all the materials and information you will need. A volunteer would need to come to the OAR office on a weekday prior to the event to pick up the materials. Please sign up by emailing Heather Pritchett at hpritchett@oaronline.org.  

Organize a Shoe Drive for OAR

Host your own shoe drive for OAR! Our Reentry Team is always in need of new men's shoes in a variety of sizes to give to participants returning home to the community from incarceration. We are particularly looking for work-related shoes, no-slip shoes, and casual shoes for men. Please keep in mind that we only accept donations of new shoes! If you have any questions about organizing a shoe drive for OAR, please email hpritchett@oaronline.org. 

Create Welcome Home Kits for OAR participants

Put together "Welcome Home" kits for OAR participants who have been recently released from incarceration. Examples of items that are needed are: long johns, long sleeve t-shirts, travel size toiletries, socks, hoodies, gloves, hats, and sweatpants. A complete kit does not have to include all of these items, these are just examples of items that are helpful. These kits can be packaged together in backpacks or tote bags. Please label the kits by size since many of the needed items are size-dependent. Keep in mind that over 90% of OAR's Reentry participants are men!  

For all of the opportunities listed above, please contact Heather Pritchett at hpritchett@oaronline.org to sign up!  Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Second Chance Month

April, 2019

The month of April has been established by the United States Congress as "Second Chance Month" to honor the work of communities, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, employers, and individuals to remove unnecessary legal and societal barriers that prevent an individual with a criminal history from thriving in the community. At OAR, our mission is to strengthen our community through second chances and we hope you can join us in spreading awareness about Second Chance Month! 

OAR's Second Chance Fundraising Breakfast 

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Save the date for OAR's 11th Annual Second Chance Fundraising Breakfast! Come join OAR for a free, hot breakfast and to experience an amazing program about OAR's mission and hear participant stories. RSVP is required. Email Heather Pritchett at hpritchett@oaronline.org to RSVP. 

Spring2ACTion 

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Mark your calendars for Spring2ACTion 2019! Spring2ACTion is the City of Alexandria's very own Giving Day. OAR is proud to be participating in this event once again this year to celebrate the commitment of local nonprofits to make Alexandria a better place to live, work, and serve! We will be posting more about Spring2ACTion on our website and social media as the event approaches, so make sure to give us a follow! 

Learn more about OAR at a free tour!

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: 

  • Wednesday, February 13, 8:00am 
  • Tuesday, February 26, 12:00pm
  • Thursday, March 14, 6:30pm
  • Wednesday, March 27, 12:00pm
  • Tuesday, April 16, 8:00am
  • Tuesday, April 23, 12:00pm
  • Monday, May 13, 6:30pm
  • Wednesday, May 22, 12:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 12, 8:00am
  • Thursday, June 27, 12:00pm

 

 

Support OAR

  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/

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