Offender Aid & Restoration Arlington Co Oar Arlington Alexandria Falls Church

“The Board of Directors makes all decisions for OAR. Board committees do not have authority to act on behalf of the Board, only to make recommendations to the Board.”

“A copy of the Form 990 is first reviewed by the Controller and reviewed and approved by the Executive Director. Upon Executive Director's approval, it is forwarded to the Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Upon Treasurer's approval it is forwarded to the Board of Directors prior to submission.”

“Each director, officer, and key staff is required to review a copy of the conflict of interest policy yearly, which requires each person to disclose any relationships, positions or circumstances in which he or she believes could contribute to a conflict. Following full disclosure of a possible conflict of interest, the Board of Directors shall determine whether a conflict of interest exists and, if so the Board shall vote to authorize or reject the transaction or take any other action deemed necessary to address the conflict and protect OAR's best interests.”

“Compensation decisions for the Executive Director are made using comparability data for similar positions in comparable organizations, and are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The organization currently has no other compensated officers or employees meeting the key employee definition.”

“OAR makes its governing documents, certain policies (including conflict of interest policy) and financial statements available upon request based on discretion of management.”

“Founded in 1974, OAR is a community-based nonprofit working with individuals of all genders returning to the community from incarceration and offering alternative sentencing options through community service to youth and adults. Race equity is a core goal at OAR, and we seek to promote equity in the legal system and across all systems. We envision a safe and thriving community where those impacted by the legal system enjoy equal civil and human rights. The Offender Aid and Restoration movement was launched in 1968 by citizens responding to a prison riot in southern Virginia. These individuals wanted a justice system based on restoration, not retribution. They believed that incarceration should prepare people to return to the community. The goal was to break the cycle of recidivism that made prison a revolving door for many. OAR of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church was established in 1974 by individuals from local faith communities who were volunteering in the local jail. Early efforts included community service, mentoring, and job search assistance. OAR first received funding from Arlington County in 1981, and the County remains an important partner along with the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church. In recent years, OAR and others have recognized and started to challenge the systemic racism responsible for mass incarceration and other structural inequalities in our community and country. We now address incarceration, the legal system, and all systems "upstream" (calling out the racism that permeates these systems and seeking social justice) and "downstream" (providing services to specific individuals). OAR journeys with individuals who have been affected by mass incarceration and works to end the systemic injustices created by racism across all systems. Through our upstream work, OAR is confronting and challenging racism in the legal system and other societal structures. We are in the process of creating an anti-racist culture both within OAR and externally. All OAR team members have responsibilities related to this work, and all contribute to its success. OAR's downstream social service efforts address three areas: Community Service, Pre-Release Reentry Services, and Post-Release Transition Services. OAR is the only nonprofit in the area that not only journeys with adults and youth impacted by the criminal legal system and their families but that also addresses the systemic racism responsible for mass incarceration and other structural inequities in our society. We are unique in that our efforts actually reduce incarceration by providing courts with alternative sentencing options for adults and youth. No other reentry programs in our area offer intensive and highly individualized services to individuals of all genders before and after they are released from jail or prison. Our level of access and ability to work both in groups and one-on-one with individuals within correctional facilities is unmatched. Our pre-release programming includes assessments of needs and risks using validated instruments, and we are the only provider in the area that develops individual plans that incorporate these assessments, and that offers appropriate individuals the opportunity to participate in group psychotherapy. OAR's uniqueness continues in our post-release programming, where participants are greeted by Community Service volunteers completing hours at the OAR office, a therapy dog, and team members with shared experiences. OAR also uses people-first and strength-based language and sees participants as experts on themselves and leaders for their own life and plans. We continuously seek feedback and guidance from participants and pride ourselves on having an ethical storytelling philosophy that respects the dignity and protects the privacy of each person we work with.”

“The organization strategically launched The Ant-Racism, Racial Justice, and Liberaton Initiative. See schedule O for additional information.”

“Pre-release Services include risks and needs assessments, intensive reentry programming (including participatory workshops addressing reentry readiness, workforce readiness, substance use, fatherhood, wellness, social justice, and healthy relationships), one-on-one transition planning, group psychotherapy with licensed clinicians, family reunification activities, and vocational, educational and personal development classes. OAR's Transition Services program ensures that individuals have access to continued coaching and a comprehensive array of services that help them have a safe reentry. OAR efforts include job search coaching and extensive employment assistance, family reunification, help meeting basic needs (such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation), and referrals for health care, substance use support programs, and other social services. No other reentry programs in our area offer intensive and highly individualized services to individuals of all genders before and after they are released from jail or prison. Our level of access and ability to work both in groups and one-on-one with individuals within correctional facilities is unmatched. Our pre-release programming includes professional assessments of needs and risks using validated instruments, and we are the only provider in the area that develops individual plans that incorporate these assessments, and that offers appropriate individuals the opportunity to participate in group psychotherapy. OAR's uniqueness continues in our post-release programming, where participants are greeted by Community Service volunteers completing hours at the OAR office, a therapy dog, and team members with shared experiences. OAR has longstanding partnerships with the Arlington County Sheriff's Office, the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, and the Virginia Department of Corrections, which manage the correctional facilities where we work. Our partners also include the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Arlington and Alexandria probation and parole offices, the Arlington and Alexandria Reentry Discharge Committees, and the Arlington and Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Boards.”

“Some also get their cases dismissed altogether. OAR Community Service participants provide more than 100,000 hours of service to more than 300 nonprofits or public sector organizations in the DC metro area and beyond each year. Several have actually have been hired at their service sites because of their hard work and dedication. OAR also enjoys long-established connections with both public social service agencies and other nonprofits in our area who team with us to assist our Reentry program participants. We have access to a network of more than 300 nonprofits, government organizations, and faith communities that welcome our Community Service participants as volunteers.”

“OAR journeys with individuals who have been affected by mass incarceration and works to end the systemic injustices created by racism across all systems. Through our upstream work, OAR is confronting and challenging racism in the legal system and other societal structures. We are in the process of creating an anti-racist culture both within OAR and externally. All OAR team members have responsibilities related to this work, and all contribute to its success. Due to the pandemic, we have canceled all 2-day in-person Undoing Racism workshops this year. Instead, OAR is facilitating several 3-month long Anti-Racist and Racial Justice virtual cohorts. Current efforts include: Full team engagement in a facilitated process to determine where OAR stands with respect to achieving an anti-racist culture within the organization and to identify and prioritize actions for continuing this transformation. Presented a series of Undoing Racism workshops for members of the community. Facilitation of ongoing caucuses for those who complete this training to ensure that the learnings conveyed become daily practices and lived truths. Launching of several 3-month long Anti-Racist and Racial Justice virtual cohorts that will focus on a curriculum about racial justice for members of the community. Use of "scholarships" waiving registration costs for OAR's 3-month Anti-Racist and Racial Justice virtual cohorts for OAR program participants and officials from the law enforcement community. Facilitation of an ongoing Anti-Racism and Racial Justice Action Network to seek changes in laws, regulations, programs, and policies. Preparing the launch of a Racist Anonymous group in Spring 2021.”

“Members of OAR's Board of Directors assume responsibility for oversight of the audit, including selection of independent accountant. This process is consistent with prior years.”

“OAR is the only nonprofit in the area that not only journeys with specific adults and youth impacted by the criminal legal system and their families but that also addresses the systemic racism responsible for mass incarceration and other structural inequities in our society. We are unique in that our efforts actually reduce incarceration by providing courts with alternative sentencing options for adults and youth. OAR also uses people-first and strength-based language and sees participants as experts on themselves and leaders for their own life and plans. We continuously seek feedback and guidance from participants and pride ourselves on having an ethical storytelling philosophy that respects the dignity and protects the privacy of each person we work with. OAR actively recruits team members, volunteers, and Board members who have shared life experiences with OAR program participants. Program participants staff our front desk and help with OAR special events as part of their community service. Reentry participants are active in our Action Network and other community programs for racial justice (always with stipends to compensate them for their time and travel costs), not only sharing their knowledge of, and lived experience with, racism and mass incarceration with others but also emerging as advocates and leaders for racial justice and liberation whose voices carry the same weight as those of others in the room. In 2019, we started a new partnership with the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, a nonprofit that has been working to dismantle racism for 40 years. Together we presented a series of two-day in-person intensive Undoing Racism workshops for the community with a particular focus on those who work for the criminal legal system, those who make policy decisions, and those who have been impacted by racism and mass incarceration. Our reputation and impact in the community have allowed us to convene leaders and mobilize them to move the needle forward on racial equity. Due to the pandemic, we have canceled all 2-day in-person Undoing Racism workshops this year. Instead, OAR is facilitating several 3-month long Anti-Racist and Racial Justice virtual cohorts.”