Thank you to all who supported OAR for #GivingTuesday this year! We exceeded our goal and raised over $2,000! All the funds raised on Giving Tuesday will go toward Project Christmas Angel Program specifically for mailing holiday gifts to boys and girls who have a parent who is incarcerated locally. Thanks to you, these children will receive gifts with a handwritten gift tag from their parent for this holidays. You are making a direct impact on the lives of these children and on their relationship with their parent. If you were not able to participate in Giving Tuesday this year and still want a chance to give, you can still visit our Giving Tuesday Campaign Page until Monday, December 10, 2018 or donate on our website here and make sure to write "Giving Tuesday" in the comment section. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of OAR participants and their families! 

Alaina was ordered to complete 125 hours of community service through OAR. In the initial meeting with her OAR Community Service Case Manager, Alaina was able to find a site in her area where she could complete her hours at. With hard work and dedication, Alaina completed over 125 hours of community service at a faith community in her neighborhood. She helped with cleaning and building maintenance at the church. Her site supervisors, the church's office manager, and a pastor at the church, were so pleased with Alaina's work and positive attitude that they sent this message to Alaina's Case Manager: 

“Alaina was such a blessing to have around.  She is a hardworking, pleasant, loving, sweet person and such a joy to have had. Our church building has never been so clean and organized, and our outdoor furniture looks freshly painted and in good order. Alaina was a dependable, reliable worker and a great asset to our community.”

Individuals like Alaina get to stay out of incarceration and instead perform meaningful work in their communities because of your support of OAR's programs. Community service not only benefits the individual completing the hours, but it also benefits the organizations who need these volunteers as well as reducing the cost and strain on the system which benefits taxpayers and helps make communities safer! 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 privacy of the participant. Photo is a stock photo and not necessarily representative of the participant.

Jeff began volunteering with OAR in 2013 when he first moved to the DC metro area from California.  When asked why he chose to begin volunteering with OAR, Jeff stated, “I believe that communities get stronger the more we care for each other.  This includes people who are, or have recently been incarcerated.  When I learned about OAR and its mission, I instantly wanted to get involved.”  Over the past five years, Jeff has contributed his time in a variety of ways.  He has volunteered in the Reentry program, helping participants to update their resumes, apply to open jobs, and prepare for interviews.  When asked about his volunteer work in the Reentry program, Jeff shared, “Seeing a participant get a job is an incredible experience.  And so is witnessing an organization open their arms to someone looking for a second chance.”  Jeff has also volunteered in various ways for the past few years.  Jeff shared, “At first it was about the participants, but now it’s also about the team.  Knowing budgets and resources are tight, I want to help the staff get things done!  So lately I’ve been spending more time in the office working on strategic projects such as Project Christmas Angel and building out the new contact management database.  It’s been a lot of fun.”  Jeff, we are so grateful to you and all the dedicated volunteers who support OAR’s participants, both directly and behind-the-scenes.  We could not do this work without you!

Pick Up Donated Holiday Gifts

Friday, December 7th and Monday, December 10th (Exact date and time is flexible)

Drive to businesses around the community to help collect the donated items for Project Christmas Angel.  Let us know your availability between December 5-10 (including the weekend), and we will let you know when/where to pick up the items.  Volunteers will need their own vehicle and should be able to lift/carry a large donation box and garbage bags filled with toys.

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

Annual Toy Drive

October 2018 - December 2018

Every year from October to December OAR hosts a Toy Drive to collect toys and gifts for children of parents incarcerated as a part of OAR’s Project Christmas Angel Program. For more information about this year’s Toy Drive and how to support click here. 

Project Christmas Angel

December 12, 2018 

This year’s Project Christmas Angel Wrapping Party will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from 6:30PM-9:00PM in Arlington. Join OAR in wrapping holiday gifts for children of incarcerated and recently released parents donated to us through our annual Toy Drive. Click here to RSVP to the event!  

OAR's Second Chance Fundraising Breakfast 

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. 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, December 6, 8:00am

• Wednesday, December 19, 12:00pm

• Tuesday, January 8, 6:30pm

• Thursday, January 24, 12:00pm

• Wednesday, February 13, 8:00am

• Tuesday, February 26, 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/

@OARJustice