Volunteer Opportunities
Training
Benefits
Sunday at the ADC
By Maryanne Yergovich
It was an unusual Sunday in the ADC lobby. The visiting room was calm and uncrowded. The familiar faces had adjusted to the visiting routine; the deputies were friendly and respectful of all. A few children asked for coloring pages.
A couple from Maryland needed directions to the 7-Eleven to get a money order. After their visit they returned for help in completing the money order and where to drop it off. I waited. I read over the training book. I read an article in the substance abuse section. After all these years, I had never heard anyone say what was written: “The criminal behavior is not about the drugs, but rather taking the risk.” A message we had just recently dropped on our 28 year old, again. I waited.
The room emptied and deputies closed the windows. I waited. An anxious looking Mom of an incarcerated 18 year old daughter approached. She was accompanied by her mother. Supportive listening happened. I thought about the article and said, “You did not do this, you have taught her right from wrong. She is not making good choices, she wants her freedom, but has risked criminal behavior to avoid the adult responsibility that comes with freedom. Tears came to her eyes. Her mother said, “You understand.” I said, “Yes, I have been where you are and I encourage you to come to our support group this Thursday, so you can ask more questions and vent your frustrations.” More supportive listening happened. I encourage each of them to use their words to put the responsibility back on the shoulders of the daughter/granddaughter. They seemed calmer and took the brochure about the family support group.
I took the table upstairs. Afterwards, going down in the elevator, I asked a couple how the visit was. The mom said, “So short after the long wait.” I said, “Yes, I understand.”
As I walked out of the ADC, another couple from the elevator approached. We walked and talked all the way to the garage, where they were parked next to me. They were visiting a young friend of their son’s. His family was in Florida. I explained some of the visitation rules and encouraged them to call OAR on Monday. I will make sure next time to carry a few cards in my purse. Maybe this would have been called “supportive walking?”
How you can get involved with
OAR?
OAR Volunteer Opportunities:
- One to One Mentors meet weekly with inmates to set goals and explore solutions to problems. In weekly sessions, they help inmates set realistic goals, foster exploration of possible solutions to problems, and encourage inmates’ efforts to become productive, contributing members of the community. Minimum age: 21. Time Commitment: one hour per week.
- Lobby Outreach volunteers staff an information desk during visiting hours in the Fairfax County jail lobby to answer questions about jail rules and procedures, provide information about OAR and other resources, and be an empathetic listener for family members and friends of the incarcerated. Minimum age: 18. Time Commitment: minimum 2 hours per month
- Teachers/Facilitators provide leadership for inmate support groups and classes sponsored by OAR. OAR classes include Life Skills, Employability Skills, Grief & Loss, Parenting, Keyboarding, Computer Skills, Work Place Skills, Conflict Resolution, Fatherhood, and Financial Planning. Each session runs for six weeks for 1½ hours per class. These volunteers provide crucial training to help clients develop coping mechanisms to improve their life skills. Instructors also teach classes in the Loudoun County Work Release Center. Classes run on Monday evenings only in Loudoun County. Minimum age: 21. Time commitment: 1½ hours per week for six weeks. Teachers have the option to team teach or co-facilitate.
- Volunteer Interviewers screen inmates for OAR’s mentoring program. These Volunteer Interviewers are experienced OAR one-to-one mentors who are interested in assisting OAR to determine if an inmate is appropriate for the mentoring program. Time commitment: on call as needed – usually two hours per month.
- Board Members may serve on the OAR Board of Directors or as a non-board member of one of the board committees; which include Programs, Resource Development, Marketing/Public Relations, and Board Development. Board members meet on a bi-monthly basis. Time commitment: minimum two hours every other month.
- Administrative Volunteer assist staff members in such areas as organizing files, typing and computer entry, photocopying and collating, as well as special projects such as mailings, calling other volunteers and public relations. Time commitment: on call as needed
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Is Training provided?
It is important to note that no special skills are required to become involved with OAR. An initial training program is designed to educate volunteers to become fully functioning members of the OAR team. After a personal interview with the Volunteer Department, volunteers must attend 16 hours of intensive orientation that includes detailed information about:
- Court Procedures
- Probation & Parole
- Communication Skills
- Conflict Management
- Substance Abuse
- Dealing with Offenders
Click here to see what volunteers have said about OAR's training
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What are the benefits of volunteering?
- Personal satisfaction in helping to break the cycle of crime
- Opportunities for training and skill development
- Community involvement
- Quarterly newsletter
- References and experience for a resume
- Annual recognition events and certificates
- A rewarding life experience
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What is the next step?
OAR offers Volunteer Training in the Spring and Fall. To sign up for an interview, or for more information about OAR, please call the Volunteer Department at (703) 246-3033.
You can also reach us by e-mail at volunteer@oarfairfax.org
To fill out a Volunteer Application, click here |
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