PRESS
'A lot of the folks we're talking about have zero income,” Ioanide said. “They're returning from state prison or from the local jails or they have a history of houselessness, chronic houselessness in particular, in part because of that criminal history that then provides barriers to them accessing other forms of housing. So you can think of it both as an intervention in reducing houselessness and in assisting people with past criminal records.'
'OAR was founded in 1976 by a group of volunteers who relayed messages from people in the county jail to their loved ones. It has since expanded its services to include affordable transitional housing through the Sunflower and Endeavor Houses, college preparation and support through the College Initiative Upstate, advocacy, and a charitable bail fund. Regardless of their background, OAR meets its clients where they’re at. “People can walk in and tell us what they need. If we can’t do it, we’ll find somebody who can,” explained Peebles.'
'The organization’s approach is built on the understanding that when individuals are given the tools to reintegrate successfully, the entire community thrives. OAR’s support network helps break cycles of incarceration, which can otherwise have lasting effects on families and neighborhoods. Their small, but mighty staff works tirelessly to address not only surface-level concerns but also the root causes of justice system involvement, helping individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. This mission strengthens the social fabric of Tompkins County, making it a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.'
'Not only is recidivism a setback for the person trying to re-enter the community, it’s a financial burden for the county as well. On the low end, the cost of incarcerating someone in Tompkins County is about $325/day. The average of the past several years shows about 47 people are re-incarcerated every year, they typically wait about sixty days to see a judge and likely be turned over to the Department of Corrections. The cost of keeping them in the Tompkins County Jail comes out to over $900,000 per year.'
