Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, MA, CVA | Pronouns: she, her, hers
Executive Director

Support OAR's Children and Families Programs!

Current: Project Connection (year-round)

Upcoming: Project Winter Cheer (November 2021 - January 2022)

Firstly, a special thank you to all those who supported the most recent children and families program: Project Backpack in any capacity! Whether it was making a gift towards the program, volunteering to help purchase and mail gift cards on the parent's behalf, or helping to spread the word. We are so grateful to you. Because of your support, the children and families had a little bit more joy.

You can now support the children and families programs currently running and upcoming. Project Connection, the year-round children and families program. Through this pilot year, the families involved in this program received $50/per child per month (in the form of gift cards/e-gift cards/cash/check/etc) along with a handwritten note from their parent. The feedback from the families has been great, so we will continue this program, but we cannot do this without your help!

Additionally, we have Project Winter Cheer starting up soon; the annual program supports children and families impacted by incarceration during the winter holidays (November 2021-January 2022). Our goal for this program is to provide each child with a $50 gift card/e-gift card/cash/check/or direct deposit. This way, the families can choose to use these funds for whatever they need. Along with the $50, each child receives a note from their parent experiencing incarceration, letting them know that the gift is coming from them and wishing them love during the winter season.

If you are interested in learning more about OAR's Children and Families programs or want to get involved, please see the links below or email Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Click here if you would like to make a gift online towards OAR's Children and Families Programs

Click here to read an update on Project Winter Cheer Program

Meet "Isaac"*

Isaac was assigned 50 hours of community service by the Courts to complete with the support of OAR. During his virtual intake appointment with one of OAR's team members, Isaac secured a volunteer position at a local community-based nonprofit near his home. This organization is dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals with rare diseases and syndromes while educating the public. As Issac had some background experience in virtual design and media content, for part of his volunteer experience with the organization, he developed their website, created new social media content, and assisted with their newsletter design. Isaac was immersed in the organization's mission and loved the work he was doing with them. Even after completing his 50 hours of community service, he continued to do pro-bono work with the organization, sharing his skills in design and media. His site supervisor at the organization sent a friendly letter to OAR after Isaac completed his hours, stating, "we will continue to use Isaac's design services in the future as we resume our fundraising activities. He was timely and professional throughout this entire process and a pleasure to work with."

We are grateful for the incredible work participants are continuing to do in their communities. Your support helps us continue to be on the journey with participants like Isaac. Thank you.

*Name changed to protect the privacy of the participant. The photo is a stock photo and not necessarily representative of the participant. Click here to learn more about OAR's Ethical Storytelling policy.

OAR is a Beneficiary Organization of the

16th Annual Arlington Turkey Trot

Celebrate the 16th Annual Arlington Turkey Trot hosted by Christ Church of Arlington! The Arlington Turkey Trot takes place on the morning of November 25, 2021. OAR is grateful to be one of the six beneficiary organizations of the Arlington Turkey Trot this year. When you sign up for the Arlington Turkey Trot, you are supporting OAR participants and programs. For more information on how to register and participate this year, please visit the official Arlington Turkey Trot website.

Click here to register

Racial Justice and Liberation Virtual Cohorts -

Register for our 2022 Sessions Today!

Register today! We are still accepting applications for OAR's 3-Month Racial Justice and Liberation Virtual Cohorts for our 2022 sessions (Jan-Mar 2022, Apr-Jun 2022). These virtual cohorts include a curriculum focusing on racial justice and liberation for all. Cohorts are separated between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and WP (White People).

The BIPOC cohort will take place on Thursdays from 1-4pm (EST) and the WP cohort will take place on Mondays from 6-9pm (EST).

To participate in these virtual cohorts, you must have a working computer/laptop device with a video camera. If you are interested in participating in one of these upcoming cohorts, you must fill out the application online on the OAR website. If you are chosen to participate in one of the cohorts, the date, time, and payment invoice will be provided to you.

We would also like to share that if you have already participated in and graduated from any of the past cohort sessions, you are still eligible to register for another upcoming cohort session at NO charge. We are ever evolving and growing throughout each cohort session, which is why we are inviting all cohort graduates to join us. If you are a cohort graduate and would like to re-register for another session, there is now a section in our registration form to indicate this.

We also offer scholarships for individuals formerly incarcerated and personnel (sworn and civilian) in Law Enforcement, Corrections, Court and Judicial Services, Fire and Rescue, Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management. There is a section on the application form where you can apply for a scholarship.

If you have any questions or would like to sponsor a few people, please email racialjustice@oaronline.org.

Click here to learn more and apply

Sign Up for a Virtual Chat with OAR Executive Director

Elizabeth Jones Valderrama!

Register for an upcoming 30-minute virtual chat with OAR Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama! You will have the unique opportunity to learn more about OAR's mission, programs and simply get to hang out and connect with Elizabeth. The next chat is on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from 1-1:30pm (EST). Check out the registration form on our website for additional dates as well.

Click here to register

Recommended Reads from OAR's Racial Justice Library

The recommended read for this month is, American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment, by Shane Bauer. In 2014, Shane Bauer was hired for $9.00 an hour to work as an entry-level correctional officer at a private prison in Winnfield, Louisiana. An award-winning investigative journalist, Bauer weaves a much deeper reckoning with his experiences together with a thoroughly researched history of for-profit prisons in America from their origins in the decades before the Civil War. For, as he soon realized, we can't understand the cruelty of our current system and its place in the larger story of mass incarceration without understanding where it came from. Private prisons became entrenched in the South as part of a systemic effort to keep the African-American labor force in place in the aftermath of slavery. The echoes of these shameful origins are with us still.

Here are some local Black-owned bookstores within the DMV to purchase from: Harambee Books (VA), Mahogany Books (DC), Loyalty Bookstores (DC), Solid State Books (DC), or from Everyone's Place (MD). Visit their websites for more racial justice reading recommendations!

Finished reading? We'd love for you to share your thoughts with us! Mail us at racialjustice@oaronline.org.

OAR Latest Videos

Upcoming Events

Arlington Turkey Trot (Thursday, November, 25, 2021)

Sign up for the Arlington Turkey Trot 16th Annual Fun Run today! OAR is grateful to be one of the six beneficiary organizations of the Arlington Turkey Trot this year. When you sign up for the Arlington Turkey Trot, you are supporting OAR participants and programs. For more information on how to register and participate this year, please visit the official Arlington Turkey Trot website here.

Giving Tuesday (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)

After Black Friday and Cyber Monday always comes Giving Tuesday! OAR is participating in the Giving Tuesday movement this year. Giving Tuesday is a global movement that dedicates the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday to giving back to your favorite nonprofits and charities. This year, OAR's goal is to raise funds for the Direct Services Fund so that we can continue to support participants with food, clothing, housing assistance, laptops, smartphones, and more during this unprecedented time. We will be sending out Giving Tuesday communications soon with how you can support on this day. If you would like to make an early gift to OAR, please visit our donation page on our website here.

Chat Sessions with OAR Executive Director (Monthly)

We are hosting 30-minute chat virtual chat sessions with OAR Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama! To register for one of the upcoming virtual chat sessions below, click here or contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 1pm-1:30pm (EST)
Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 1pm-1:30pm (EST)

Free One-Hour Virtual Tour of OAR's Mission

Want to learn more about us? Join us for a free one-hour virtual tour of our mission via Zoom! Guests will hear about OAR's programs and services from the team members who are working directly in the programs. We promise to end on time. To register for one of the tour dates below or to check out additional tour dates, click here or contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Monday, November 8, 2021, 9am-10am (EST)
Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 1pm-2pm (EST)
Monday, December 6, 2021, 10am-11am (EST)
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, 1pm-2pm (EST)

Project Connection (year-round)

Project Connection supports children and families impacted by incarceration year-round. Each family participating in this program will receive a $50 gift card/cash/check/or direct deposit along with a handwritten note from their parent each month to remind them that even though they are not able to physically be together at the moment, they are always keeping them in mind. Click here to donate to Project Connection. Your gifts will help us provide gift card/cash/check/or direct deposit for each family. If you have any questions or would like to get involved in any way contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Project Winter Cheer (November 2021 - January 2022)

Project Winter Cheer kicks off soon! This is another one of OAR's programs that support children and families impacted by incarceration, specifically for the winter holiday season. Each child in the program receives a $50 gift card/cash/check/or direct deposit along with a handwritten note from their parent to send their love during the winter holidays. How can you support? If you would like to make a gift towards Project Winter Cheer online, please click here. Your gifts will help us cover the costs to purchase and mail out gift card/cash/check/or direct deposit for each family. For more ways to support and volunteer for Project Winter Cheer, please visit our website here. If you have any questions, would like to volunteer or get involved in any way contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Interested in Volunteering with OAR?

American Sign Language (ASL) Facilitators (Virtual)

We are looking for several American Sign Language (ASL) Facilitators to do virtual course for residents of Arlington County Detention Facility. You must have access to the internet and a computer with a webcam. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, please email Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Clinical Volunteers (Virtual)

Looking for volunteers with experience in the clinical field or have a clinical background to help support participants virtually. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity email Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Court Volunteers (In-Person and Virtual)

We are looking for volunteers who will go to to the Arlington County General District Court and Circuit Court sessions on a weekly basis every Tuesday (in person) and Friday (virtual) between the hours of 9am to 5pm to represent OAR for Community Service. All information needed will be provided for you and you will receive training from an OAR team member and will have the opportunity to shadow them in Court. If you are available for any or or all of these days and interested in learning more about this opportunity, please email Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Data Entry Volunteers (Virtual)

Volunteer to help OAR with database management and data entry. Having access to a computer/laptop/internet and the ability to connect over email and Zoom is required for this opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity email Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Faith Communities- Add OAR Updates in Your Weekly News Bulletin/Communications (Virtual)

Want to receive weekly email updates from OAR to include in your new bulletins or communications? If so, please contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Grant Writer (Virtual) Experience Required

OAR is looking for volunteers to support us with our grant writing. This opportunity is 100% virtual. Experience is required! If you are interested, please contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Press Release Writer (Virtual) Experience Required

OAR is looking for volunteers to support us with our press release writing. This opportunity is 100% virtual. Experience is required! If you are interested, please contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Social Media Advocates/"Voluntweeters" (Virtual)

Volunteer to be a social media advocate or "voluntweet" for OAR! Be an advocate for OAR's mission, for policies and laws that benefit participants, and for racial justice through social media and online by re-tweeting, sharing our posts, mentioning OAR on social media writing to law makers, and more. Visit OAR's official Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Vimeo pages to help share and spread the word of our mission or email Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org if you have any questions.

Spanish Language for English Speakers Facilitators (Virtual)

We are looking for several Spanish Language for English Speakers Facilitators to do virtual course for residents of Arlington County Detention Facility. You must have access to the internet and a computer with a webcam. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, please email Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org.

Special Event/On-Call Volunteers (Virtual and In-Person) - Currently for Project Winter Cheer & Project Connection
Volunteer to help out with special events and project as well as serve as an on-call volunteer when needed. You will be added to a special email/text list when we have a volunteer need or opportunity come up including speaking engagements, helping staff an OAR table at a fair, etc. Right now we are taking volunteers to help out with Project Connection and Project Backpack as well. Please contact Stephannie Ku at sku@oaronline.org if you are interested.

OAR News Features

OAR's work and partnership with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office and Vera Institute to reduce racial disparities in the criminal legal system recognized in the Washington Post with quotes from OAR's Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama and OAR's Board of Director and Commonwealth Attorney Parisa Deghani-Tafti. Read the full article here.
OAR named "one of the best nonprofits" in the D.C. Metro area by the Catalogue for Philanthropy. Read our full press release on our website here.
OAR's Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama was recognized by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement as the 2020 EXCEL Award Winner for outstanding nonprofit leadership. Read more on the Center's website where OAR is featured here.
OAR's Executive Director Elizabeth Jones Valderrama's interview about "Race and Rebuilding" in the community was featured in Arlington Magazine. Read the full interview on the Arlington Magazine website here.

Support OAR

Make a monetary donation to OAR by clicking here
Donate Target and/or Amazon gift cards in increments of $10 each for OAR participants
Shop on our Amazing Wish List: OAR's Amazon Wish List
Donate through United Way designation #8078 (additional fees by UW are applied and come out of your donation)
Donate through CFC designation #26226 (additional fees by CFC are applied)
Shop on Amazon Smile and choose OAR as the beneficiary using this link http://amzn.to/OARsmile
Follow us @OARJustice
Attend a free 1-hour virtual OAR Tour or an OAR Event and bring your friends: http://oaronline.org/oar-tours-upcoming-events/

COVID-19 Health & Safety Resources/Updates - Stay Informed!

We want and encourage our community to stay informed and up-to-date with all of the latest health and safety guidelines and resources regarding the COVID-19 outbreak to prevent the spread of this virus and to keep everyone safe and thriving. Please feel free to share with your family and friends.

General Resources:

Center For Disease Control - https://www.cdc.gov/
Virginia Department of Health - http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/
Governor of Virginia - https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus-updates/

Local Resources:

City of Alexandria

Alexandria Coronavirus Resources - https://www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus
Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates via Alexandria eNews
ACPS Updates - https://www.acps.k12.va.us/domain/1554

Arlington County

Arlington Coronavirus Resources - https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Health/COVID-19
APS Health and Safety Updates - https://www.apsva.us/school-year-2021-22/health-safety-information/

City of Falls Church

Falls Church Coronavirus Resources - https://www.fallschurchva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx
Sign up to receive daily COVID-19 updates from the City of Falls Church Office of Communications
FCPS Updates - https://www.fcps.edu/blog/talking-children-about-coronavirus

More About OAR

OAR is a community-based nonprofit which envisions a safe and thriving community where those impacted by the legal system enjoy equal civil and human rights. Through our upstream work, we are confronting and dismantling racism in the legal system and across all systems. Our downstream work allows us to be on the journey with individuals of all genders returning to the community from incarceration and support their families in the homecoming process. And we offer alternative sentencing options through community service to youth and adults to avoid the trauma of incarceration and instead remain a part of helping the community thrive.