Offender Aid & Restoration (OAR) from Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church has launched a new initiative – Project Connection – to provide community support to strengthen relationships between adults currently in custody and their children.

Program participants write monthly notes, cards or letters to their families. The notes will be sent to the parent or guardian at home with a $ 50 gift card per child / family member so that they can be spent for the good of the family if needed.

“OAR program participants and their families continue to have an unprecedented need,” said Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, executive director of OAR. “Jobs with living wages are rare, the next mail delivery could result in an eviction notice, and for many, hunger is now a weekly occurrence.”

The organization is seeking both one-time financial support to fuel efforts and those who are willing to provide monthly support.

“Our goal is to reach at least 100 children / families by 2021,” said Jones Valderrama.

OAR is already running a number of seasonal support initiatives, including Project Winter Cheer and Project Backpack, to support families at risk and maintain a bond between detainees and their children.

Information on the initiatives can be found on the website at www.oaronline.org.

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