OAR of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church

Founded in 1974, OAR of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church 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. Our mission includes upstream (social justice) and downstream (social services) work.

Through our upstream work, we confront and dismantle racism in the legal system, across all systems, and in ourselves. We lift the voices of those who’ve experienced racism and other intersecting forms of marginalization. Our work challenges those who’ve benefited from systemic racism to become leaders in eliminating these injustices and redressing the harm caused by personal racism.

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. 

We work with people and their families both before and after they come home. Our services in detention facilities include reentry readiness workshops, group psychotherapy, transition planning, and efforts that keep families connected and thriving. After release, OAR provides help with housing, food, transportation, and other needs and a comprehensive employment program.

We also offer alternative sentencing options and community service to youth and adults. Participants keep their jobs, stay in school, remain with their families, give back to their community, and avoid the trauma and lifelong burdens of incarceration.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

We are raising funds to expand our Direct Services program for individuals coming home from incarceration and their families. We want to meet more needs for more people over a longer time. This project builds on an existing effort that focused on immediate needs and limited ongoing assistance. The new program will provide wraparound assistance for individuals and families before and after release. Our goal is to journey with individuals as they shape a safe reentry for themselves -- a reentry that includes strong family connections and economic stability.

Check out our website at: www.oaronline.org

Watch our latest 2021 OAR Video on Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/539325187