50th Anniversary
50 Years of Unwavering Commitment to Justice, Joy, and Liberation
At OAR, we believe that the future should not be defined by the barriers of the past.
We have the privilege of journeying with individuals and their families impacted by the inequalities of the criminal legal system—individuals like Jay*, who spent ten years in prison before starting his reentry journey with OAR.
After his release, OAR provided Jay* with critical emergency services and helped him secure housing. We also played a crucial role in helping Jay find a job. With determination, Jay secured an apprenticeship with an HVAC company, thanks to OAR’s support. We also provided him with work attire, boots, and necessary tools and offered additional support when he showed interest in enrolling in night school classes for further training.
“Coming out of prison felt like I was starting from zero. I don’t have any local family; OAR is like my family. They have been such great supporters and have helped me so much. OAR got me back on my feet, got me an apartment, and helped me get a job. I’m making it now.” -Jay*
In addition to our downstream work, we are committed to our work upstream, confronting and dismantling systemic racism and the structural inequalities that plague our society through community education, advocacy, and organizing. OAR dreams of a world where everyone can thrive.
This year, OAR celebrates 50 years of unwavering commitment to justice, joy, and liberation. As we move into the future, we invite you to join us in this vital work.
Please consider a special gift to OAR so we can continue cultivating a world where everyone has access to the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to build their futures.
A world where everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the chance to achieve their dreams. Thank you for your commitment to our mission and for helping us honor 50 years of OAR. We are grateful to have you on the journey with us toward justice, joy, and liberation for all.
*OAR prides itself on having an ethical storytelling philosophy that respects the dignity and protects the privacy of each person it works with. To protect their privacy, OAR does not use participant’s actual names, photos, or videos.