2023 Annual Statewide Banquet
Business Operation Hours:
To protect the health of our visitors, staff, and community, Virginia CARES Inc. will be conducting all communication through phone calls, email, and appointments ONLY.
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 9am- 5pm
If you need assistance please call 540-342-9344 or Staff emails:
We will keep you updated as the situation develops in our community and how it will affect our operation hours. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate our way forward.
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 9am- 5pm
If you need assistance please call 540-342-9344 or Staff emails:
- Ann Fisher / Executive Director: afisher@vacares.org
- Anthony West / Chief Operations Officer: awest@vacares.org
- Donald Jones / Chief Financial Officer: djones@vacares.org
- Aisha Bailey / Executive Assistant-Training Coordinator: abailey@vacares.org
- JoAnne Carter/HR Coordinator:jcarter@vacares.org
We will keep you updated as the situation develops in our community and how it will affect our operation hours. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate our way forward.
Virginia CARES
Virginia CARES (Community Action Re-Entry System) is a heralded, statewide network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) originally formed in 1981 to address the successful reentry and deinstitutionalization of returning citizens in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The agency presently provides pre-release services in 14 prisons and 9 city/county jails and 6 regional jails, as well as post-release programs in 26 cities/towns and 32 counties in Virginia. Since 1981 Virginia CARES has worked with more than 104,000 returning citizens. In FY 2018-2019, Virginia CARES:
Virginia CARES is part of a Virginia coalition of re-entry services providers known as the Pre- and Post-Incarceration Services (PAPIS) Coalition, which is funded by the Virginia General Assembly through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). PAPIS consists nine community-based non-profit organizations across Virginia that have been providing transition and reentry services since the early 1970s.
Virginia CARES, like the other PAPIS organizations, works to reduce recidivism and to provide education, job training and other support services to released individuals, an important part of the last three Governors’ enhanced emphasis on re-entry initiatives. In order to improve public safety outcomes Virginia CARES, in partnership with the other PAPIS providers and DCJS, has worked hard over the past several years to implement evidence-based practices. As a result, CARES can focus on data-driven results to reduce re-offending and further victimization, thus improving the public safety of Virginia’s communities. Virginia CARES’ staff are trained in the Carey Guides, a proven, evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy program used to provide alternative thinking processes and reactions to everyday living situations and issues in order to deter criminal behaviors.
- Provided pre-release services to 567 individuals;
- Provided post-release services to 925 returning citizens;
- Assisted 409 individuals find employment;
- Provided 1,400 instances of career counseling;
- Provided 1,381 instances of family counseling;
- Provided financial assistance to 987 returning citizens;
- Provided 1,101 individuals with substance abuse referrals;
- Provided housing referrals to 1,135 individuals; • Provided 1,278 financial referrals;
- Conducted 497 Peer/Educational Workshops; and
- Conducted 262 3-hour Job Readiness Workshops.
Virginia CARES is part of a Virginia coalition of re-entry services providers known as the Pre- and Post-Incarceration Services (PAPIS) Coalition, which is funded by the Virginia General Assembly through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). PAPIS consists nine community-based non-profit organizations across Virginia that have been providing transition and reentry services since the early 1970s.
Virginia CARES, like the other PAPIS organizations, works to reduce recidivism and to provide education, job training and other support services to released individuals, an important part of the last three Governors’ enhanced emphasis on re-entry initiatives. In order to improve public safety outcomes Virginia CARES, in partnership with the other PAPIS providers and DCJS, has worked hard over the past several years to implement evidence-based practices. As a result, CARES can focus on data-driven results to reduce re-offending and further victimization, thus improving the public safety of Virginia’s communities. Virginia CARES’ staff are trained in the Carey Guides, a proven, evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy program used to provide alternative thinking processes and reactions to everyday living situations and issues in order to deter criminal behaviors.
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Congratulations!! JoAnne Carter from TAP- Roanoke Site received the first EVER Tedlich award. |
“To lead a state-wide network of reentry programs that reduces recidivism, promotes public safety and provides supportive services to assist returning citizens lead successful lives.”
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We strive to provide our participants with a complete program that assists them with all of their reentry needs. Our program offers support and educational opportunities for all participants.
If you are interested in our services, please recognize one key fact: we are interested in participants. Our Case Mangers, many are ex-offenders themselves, are dedicated to and will put as much effort into your reentry as you do. |
VIRGINIA CARES STATEMENT AGAINST RACISM AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE
As a community action agency, Virginia CARES pledges to take an active role against the social injustice and rampant racism that plagues our nation. Virginia CARES stands firm in the belief that everyone should be equally treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to working towards the end of changing the status quo in our country and making equality for all a reality in not only our local communities, but across our nation.
Ann Fisher – Executive Director
Ann Fisher – Executive Director