MISSION & VISION
OAR (originally named Offender Aid and Restoration) was formed by a group of concerned citizen members in 1976 to address the adverse effects of incarceration and ensure the humane treatment of inmates of the Tompkins County Jail. For its first thirty years, OAR focused solely on those incarcerated in the local jail. For its first ten years, OAR was largely volunteer run.
Beginning in the early 2000s OAR expanded its mission to assure more coordinated and successful reentry into the community. By 2018, OAR had created housing for those returning from incarceration from both the local jail and those residents who were returning home from state prison. Since the hiring of Dave Sanders as OAR's Executive Director, OAR's mission has expanded to include other successful programs to improve reentry outcomes and reduce recidivism.
Our Mission
OAR was founded with a commitment to protecting the civil liberties of those incarcerated in Tompkins County. We continue to fulfill this 50-year pledge by enhancing client trust, working with community partners, upholding human dignity, and improving the quality of life for system involved people.
Our Vision
OAR will assist, support, advocate, and nurture our clients in developing social, mental, and physical well-being through continuously improving programs, the most impactful partnerships, and leading Tompkins County in becoming a community that can both lower crime through opportunities and decrease our jail populations via alternatives and resources.
Our Approach
Empowering Individuals
Assessment
Understanding Needs
We start by assessing the individual needs of each person to provide tailored support and care.
Action
Implementing Solutions
Impact
Measuring Results
Taking action by implementing targeted solutions and programs to address specific challenges effectively.
We evaluate the impact of our interventions to ensure positive outcomes and sustainable changes for those we serve.