Mark was ordered by the Arlington courts to complete 25 hours of community service through OAR. Mark was extremely worried about this whole situation, but his OAR Community Service Case Manager made sure to accommodate to Mark's schedule and needs and communicated with him regularly over the phone for appointments. Mark knew that OAR had a number of weekend events that he would be able to volunteer at, he expressed to his Case Manager that he really wanted to give back to the Arlington community since he was so grateful to OAR for helping him through this process. Mark volunteered at OAR events, completed his 25 hours of community service, and successfully closed out his case. His site supervisors only had good things to say about Mark to his Case Manager and many of them said they would ask him to volunteer again! After successfully completing all of his hours, he told his Community Service Case Manager, "Thank you for the opportunity to give back to OAR and the Northern Virginia community and for being so available. I have learned a lot through this experience and hope to find an organization where I can volunteer." 

Your support gives individuals like Mark the opportunity to experience giving back to the community through meaningful volunteer work. 

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

OAR’s community-based Racial Equity & Inclusion Action Network hosts monthly meetings to create a space to openly discuss race-related subject matter that centers the lives of those impacted by the criminal justice system. We aim for this to be a group of committed and passionate volunteers who will mobilize with an understanding of historical and current issues impacting our men and women. By empowering and amplifying the voice of those who have been marginalized through systemic racism we aim to challenge racist laws, regulations, programs, policies, and beliefs that dominate our society and culture. 

OAR's Racial Equity and Inclusion Action Network meetings take place on the third Thursday of the month and are open to the public. The next meeting will take place on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at the Arlington Central Library and will be facilitated by OAR's Director of Racial Equity & Inclusion, Bryan W. Jackson. For more information about OAR's Racial Equity & Inclusion Action Network and to RSVP to the next meeting click here. 

This month's "Volunteer Spotlight" features one of OAR's Board of Directors, Mara D'Amico. Mara has served as a member of OAR's Board of Directors since 2017 and is the current Chair of OAR’s Development Committee. Her passion for restorative justice and wanting to engage the Northern Virginia community on issues of mass incarceration led to her involvement with OAR. Mara regularly volunteers at many of OAR's special events throughout the year, including OAR's Project Winter Cheer Wrapping Party event, the Arlington County Fair, and the Project Backpack Packing Party event. Mara has also volunteered at the OAR office to help with guardian outreach calls for OAR's Project Winter Cheer program and represents OAR at community events. When asked about her involvement and volunteer work with OAR, she stated, "This is the first nonprofit Board of Directors that I've served on, and I could not have found a better organization to serve. OAR is impeccably run, has loyal staff and volunteers who care deeply about the participants they are on the journey with and is constantly striving to grow and improve as an organization. I am so grateful to be engaging with OAR as it infuses a racial equity mindset throughout its work, knowing how deeply tied it is to real justice. I've learned a lot  in my two years on the OAR Board and look forward to many more years of supporting second chances and racial equity in Northern Virginia through OAR." OAR is so grateful to have you on our Board and as a dedicated volunteer Mara! 

Would you like to share your OAR volunteer story for a chance to be featured in future e-newsletters and on our social media? Contact sku@oaronline.org. 

People of Color Caucus/White People Caucus 

More information about how to join the People of Color Caucus and the White People Caucus will be provided soon! Completing an "Undoing Racism" is required to join these Caucus'. In the meantime, if you are interested and would like more information about either of these Caucus', please contact OAR's Director of Racial Equity & Inclusion, Bryan W. Jackson at bjackson@oaronline.org.   

Annual Toy Drive

October 2019 - December 6, 2019

Every year, OAR hosts a Toy Drive to collect holiday gifts for children of parents incarcerated as a part of OAR's Project Winter Cheer Program (formerly known as Project Christmas Angel) and to support OAR's programs. You can donate gifts and send them straight to the OAR office through our Amazon Wishlist. To find out other ways to support OAR's Toy Drive collection and for more information, click here. 

Giving Tuesday

December 3, 2019, All Day 

Save the date for Giving Tuesday 2019! After Black Friday and Cyber Monday comes Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back to your favorite charities and nonprofits. OAR is part of the Giving Tuesday movement this year and we hope that you keep OAR on this day that kicks off the charitable season. Visit OAR's official Giving Tuesday Campaign Page to donate and for more information.

Project Winter Cheer Wrapping Party Event 

December 11, 2019, 6:30pm - 9:00pm

This year's Project Winter Cheer Wrapping Party will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm in Arlington. Join more than 200 volunteers in wrapping holiday gifts for children of incarcerated and recently released parents donated through the annual Toy Drive. RSVP is required for this event. Click here to RSVP. 

Racial Equity & Inclusion Monthly Action Network Meeting 

December 19, 2019, 7:00pm - 8:30pm 

Join OAR for the Racial Equity & Inclusion Action Network meeting, hosted on the third Thursday of every month. The next meeting will take place on Thursday, December 19th at the Arlington Central Library. Come learn more about OAR and their efforts to address and dismantle racism. This event is open to adults and will be facilitated by, Bryan W. Jackson, OAR’s Director of Racial Equity and Inclusion. Click here to RSVP and for more information. 

OAR's 12th Annual Second Chance Fundraising Breakfast

April 2, 2020

Save the date for OAR's 12th 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? 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 and hear participant success stories. We promise to end on time. Below is a list of upcoming dates and times. For more dates and to sign up click here or contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Upcoming Tour Dates:     

Wednesday, December 4, 8:00am

Thursday, December 19, 12:00pm

We will have tour dates for 2020 posted soon, stay tuned!

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