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Virginia
CARES, Inc. is a state wide non-profit Community Action Agency which
assists newly released parolees and their families in making a
successful transition from prison to their community. Once
released ex-offenders usually return to the environment from which they
came. Hanging out with the same friends who got them in trouble in
the first place is typical behavior. Through guidance and
counseling Virginia CARES continues to strive to fight the battles to
reduce crime and recidivism by providing an opportunity for ex-prisoners
to become self-sufficient, law-abiding, taxpaying, family-oriented
citizens of society.
Emergency needs are met first, food, clothing, transportation and
shelter. Guidance is given to prepare for job interviews and job
leads are given to potential employers. Virginia CARES contacts
employers personally to present our agency and finds those who are
willing to interview participants and give them a second chance.
Virginia CARES has a vast array of employers in their job bank.
Referrals to other agencies for medical, legal, substance abuse and
other assistance also given. Group counseling and Job Readiness
workshops are also conducted.
At present Virginia CARES provides post-release services in 37 cities
and counties throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia
CARES assists the Department of Corrections in 20 correctional
facilities with their Life Skills classes. The curriculum includes
sessions such as Employment Motivation, Anger Management, Money
Management, Family Matters, Parenting, Community Resources and other
topics.
According to the Justice Department, as of midyear 1997, one in every
155 U.S. residents were in the prison system. That is an increase
of six percent over the previous year. The United States is now
second only to Russia in its rate of incarceration. Virginia CARES
is the only program of its kind in the nation that deals with the
multiple problems of the ex-prisoner, the correctional system and the
individual community on a statewide basis. Virginia CARES is a
proven cost-effective alternative to continuing crime, prison
overcrowding and soaring construction and maintenance costs. |
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Virginia CARES History
Building a
structure such as Virginia CARES is no easy task nor one that can be
done over night. Through years of achievements as well as
disappointments CARES has never balked for the job that lies ahead.
1975 - Citizen coalition approaches Total Action Against Poverty to
develop re-entry program for local parolees.
1976 - STOP-GAP program funded to provide training, counseling and
temporary employment. Upon program completion, 87% of customers
placed in permanent employment or training positions.
1978 - Implementing first statewide pre and post release program,
working in 12 prisons and five major locations.
1979 - Virginia CARES incorporates as private, non-profit agency.
1981 - Pre-release expanded to 20 prisons and post release to 52 cities
and counties.
1982 - Federal funding discontinued. CARES receives $50,000 from Ford
Foundation and an interim grant of $175,000 from VA General Assembly.
Post release continued in three localities.
1985 - Receives "Outstanding Organization" award presented By
VA Council on Social Welfare for contributions in the field of Adult
Corrections.
1986 - Awarded "Bristow Hardin Virginia Community Action Exemplary
Award" for "Project Producing Most Long-Term Impact".
1987 - Selected as national finalist in "Innovations" awards
sponsored by Ford Foundation and Harvard University.
1988 - Executive Director receives "Special Recognition Award from
National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. Post release
sites total 16, pre-release conducted in 40 state institutions.
1989 - Devastating fire destroys Central Office and local field office
in Roanoke, Virginia.
1996 - CARES vetoed as line item in State budget. Pre-release
discontinued as mandated by Department of Corrections. CARES
looses four post release sites.
1997 - CARES Executive Director retires.
2003 - Ann Fisher appointed Executive Director Position |
