• Preventing Crime
• Strengthening Families
• Building Better Communities
VA CARES provides emergency, transitional, and long-term assistance for ex-offenders returning to society. Pre-Release Counseling
Many of our service sites send case managers
to local jails, or other institutions, to prepare
currently-incarcerated offenders for their transition back into society. Emergency Aid
We provide fo
od, work clothing, transportation
assistance such as transit fares, and financial
assistance for forms of identification for ex-offenders. Items such as these are not only
necessary for simply surviving, but just as
important for preventing a return to criminal
behavior. Job Readiness Workshops
In-depth preparation helps clients in finding
and keeping jobs by reviewing topics such as
resume writing and interviewing skills. Case Management
One-to-one assistance is provided to all
clients, and is essential for helping ex-offenders
navigate and overcome personal
obstacles. Case management typically
involves addressing family, employment, and
substance abuse issues. Managing all three
is essential to keeping the participants away
from criminal behavior. Our Employment Specialist not only keeps a
thorough database of local employers who
are willing to hire our clients, but regularly
interacts with these employers and also
facilitates the hiring of participants. Support Groups
Support groups form the foundation of VA
CARES. Under a case manager’s guidance,
sessions allow for open and informal
support. Members nurture personal growth
and encourage each others’ resolve to live
a responsible life. Community Engagement
Many former clients return to facilitate
support groups, serve on the board of
VA Cares Inc, and become community
advocates for ex-offenders. Also, current
and former clients appear annually before
the Virginia General Assembly to speak on
behalf of ex-offenders.
