A Message from the Director

This fiscal year has started off with a number of challenges for OAR as we continue to adjust to funding cuts and increases in health insurance costs and other operational expenses.  Just like the rest of the country, we are feeling the impact of the economy.  Our response to the situation has been to “tighten our belt”, keep submitting funding proposals to potential new funders, and maintain uninterrupted services for our clients. 

In the midst of these challenges there have been some bright spots--thank goodness--that keep us going.  We were recently notified that we were selected to receive a U.S. Department of Justice Second Chance Mentoring and Transition Services grant.  This new funding will enhance our reentry services by providing volunteers to serve as “Second Chance Coaches” for clients from our partner prisons participating in the Richmond Regional Reentry Program and will somewhat lessen our current funding deficits by helping to cover some current operational costs.  As a “seasoned” nonprofit administrator, I have a habit of saying “things will work out”.  We are all hoping this will be the case for the rest of this fiscal year as we continue to face our fiscal challenges while assisting our clients to face their personal challenges.

Barbara A. Slayden

OAR Service Highlights for Fiscal Year ‘09

Ø       2,045 pre-release and 2,229 post-release clients served at a total of 10 locations

Ø       19,174 units of job search assistance and employment services provided

Ø       12,242 education and support group sessions attended

Ø       1,006 identification documents secured

Ø       868 clients received housing assistance

Ø       151 full-time and 21 part-time jobs obtained

Ø       123 clients received incentives for maintaining consistent employment

Ø       120 community volunteers and interns provided 3,779 hours of service to the organization and our clients  

Volunteer News

From July, 2009 to September, 2009, 65 volunteers  provided 536 hours of their time to OAR and our clients assisting with client resumes and serving as mentors, interns, group facilitators and board members.  These hours do not include service hours provided to clients by our collaborative partners.

Get to Know an OAR Volunteer

Shelby Vincent, a Virginia Department of Health employee, has been volunteering with OAR for almost one year.  During that time, she has facilitated two different courses, Money Management and Life Without a Crutch, at the Pamunkey Regional Jail and assisted in our Christmas store for post-release clients.  Shelby just finished facilitating an 8 week course at Pamunkey and is already signing up new inmates to begin another group.  Shelby is a delight to work with and is eager and willing to learn new curriculum so she can provide information that will benefit OAR clients when they release.    

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed to facilitate several educational groups for inmates at the Henrico County Jail, Henrico County Regional Jail, and Petersburg City Jail.  Volunteers are especially needed to carry NA meetings to Chesterfield County Jail, Pamunkey Regional Jail, and Richmond City Jail and a Spanish-speaking AA meeting to Chesterfield County Jail.  Lastly, volunteers are needed at the Central Office to conduct mock interviews with clients.  Call Matthew Crawford at 643-2746 for more information.

The Volunteer Coordinator at Riverside Regional Jail, Babette Coleman, is recruiting volunteers for Anger Management, Financial Management, Art Instruction, and Fatherhood programs in the jail.  Call Ms. Coleman at 524-6600 ext. 6052 for more information.   

Client News

Josey first requested services from OAR about 8  months ago.  Having just been released from Richmond City Jail, she was eager to see what kind of post-release services OAR might have for her.  During her intake interview, Josey realized that all of her problems, whether legal or personal, were the result of her alcohol use.  While previous substance abuse programs had not worked for her, she was determined that this time would be different and immediately began working on the service plan she and her OAR Case Manager developed.

Since then, Josey has enrolled in GED classes at OAR, begun seeing the OAR substance abuse counselor, obtained employment at McDonalds, and started attending parenthood classes in hopes of regaining custody of her daughter. 

Josey has been clean and sober now since her release from jail and beams with pride at that accomplishment.  She has truly been a delight for OAR staff to work with while witnessing her transformation from a saddened young woman to an individual glowing with satisfaction and constantly talking about her goals for the future--regaining custody of her daughter and passing her GED test.    

Staff News

OAR bid farewell to Monica Behney, Valens Barthelus, and Shanika Chattar during the last quarter.  Monica is attending VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs on a full scholarship; Valens returned to his home state of New Jersey; and Shanika left to pursue her goal of working with children.

The following new staff have joined OAR since the last newsletter:  Joyce Fountaine, Receptionist, Grace Camillo, Pre-Release Case Manager at the Henrico County jails, Megan Kirkland, former Pre-release Case Manager at Pamunkey Regional Jail and now our Special Programs Case Manager, and Matthew Crawford, Community Resources Coordinator.  Hiawkal Gizachew, a graduate student at the VCU School of Social Work, is serving her internship as an OAR Case Management Assistant at the Richmond City Jail.  Barbara Delbridge, Goodwill one-stop liaison, is now providing on-site services for post-release clients at OAR’s Central Office.

Board News

We were saddened by the August death of LaShaun Evans, a board member, good friend, and former OAR client, who was on the waiting list for a liver transplant when she died.  Those of us who knew LaShaun were inspired by the way she continued to pursue her goals no matter what obstacles she encountered.  We will remember her ever present optimism, happy demeanor, and laugh even during her most difficult times.     

 

 

 

News in Brief

·       OAR staff members recently participated in Homeward’s 2009 Regional Conference on Best Practices.

·       In addition to OAR of Richmond, other Second Chance award recipients in Virginia were the city of Richmond for a family reintegration reentry project at the Richmond City Jail and OAR of Fairfax.

·       Project Homeless Connect will be held on November 19, 9:00 to 3:00 at the Richmond Convention Center.  This Homeward event connects the homeless with over 40 service providers during the day.  Volunteers are needed.  To find out more, go to www.homewardva.org. 

Thank you to….

Charles Adcock, Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office, Susan Gibson, Dr. Suzanne Jenkins, Tony Jennings, Richard Massey, Jamie Reeser, and Ukrop’s Golden Gift Program who donated gift certificates, money, or other items to OAR during the last quarter.

 

Your support of the 2009 United Way campaign is a powerful way to reach out a hand to one and influence the condition of all.  When we support United Way, we help all children have an equal chance to succeed, assist older adults in maintaining health and independence, and provide adults and families with resources to achieve and maintain financial stability.  When supporting United Way, you enhance OAR’s capacity to combat the challenges of offender reentry.  Please give as generously as you can.