OAR is on a journey with individuals who are currently experiencing incarceration and those on the journey home from incarceration. Individuals with the wisdom and insight of shared experiences lead supportive programs in our local detention facilities in Arlington and Alexandria. OAR’s pre-release programs include evidence-based cognitive-behavioral, fatherhood, individual, and group psychotherapy programs and vocational, educational, personal development, transition planning, and reentry readiness programs. Post-release, OAR’s Reentry Program has become a welcoming, warm, and loving community. OAR provides individuals and their families with individualized coaching and assistance with transition, employment, housing, cell phones with minutes and data plans, laptops with internet access, clothing, food, and more. At the same time, they secure a safe reentry back into the community for themselves. OAR also offers a comprehensive Employment Program, which assists with resume building, vocational skills assessments, mock interviews, job searches and connections, and more. The OAR Collective believes that participants are experts on themselves and the agenda in all circumstances is to empower participants toward the goal of self-sufficiency and liberation. We support individuals of all genders through significant life transitions directly or indirectly related to the individual’s criminal justice status or history. Eligibility for these services is contingent on a conviction record and certain residency requirements. Individuals have different needs and each eligible participant works with the team to develop an individualized plan that may include assistance with emergency shelter, transportation, clothing, food, identification, medication, mental health, medical care, and a wide range of social service referrals are provided. To be eligible for post-release services, individuals must be referred to OAR within 90 days of release from incarceration.
