PACE/OAR
Public Action In Correctional Effort
Offender aID and Restoration
OUR MISSION
To provide a variety of services to help offenders, ex-offenders, and their families to lead productive and responsible lives in their community.
Who are we?
PACE/OAR is a non-profit organization that provides services exclusively to ex-offenders and their families. In 2002, PACE (Public Action in Correctional Effort) and OAR (Offender Aid and Restoration) merged. We provide a range of services from referrals for basic needs to employment services. All services are provided free of charge because of grants and donations we receive.
Who Qualifies?
PACE/OAR only provides services to individuals who have felony convictions living in Marion County. PACE/OAR services are voluntary. No services are court-ordered or required. This means that clients must be motivated to make a change in their own lives.
SERVICES:
Pre-Release
: While offenders are still incarcerated, we assist with transition planning that develops a plan for a support system, housing and employment. Pre-release services take place in partnership with the Marion County Jail and various Department of Correction facilities around the State of Indiana for offenders returning to Marion County.
Post-Release: After release, ex-offenders receive assistance with resume development, are connected to job leads and receive referrals to partner agencies that can provide clothing, food, substance abuse counseling, housing, and other services. Employment is a key to reducing crime and ensuring the success of our clients. Post-release services help ensure they are prepared for the workforce.
Job Development:
On the employer side, PACE/OAR develops relationships with employers who are willing to consider employees with felony convictions. We document the skill/experience requirements of employers, as well as help determine what crimes they will and will not consider.
Employment Services:
We help ex-offenders prepare for the workforce by helping them develop resumes and make themselves marketable. We match their skills and experience with the opportunities and restrictions of the various employers. We work to break down the barriers ex- offenders face to employment by only providing company information on those employers who will not automatically say “NO” based on criminal history. Additionally, we seek to find quality jobs, paying more than minimum wage and offering benefits. Depending on various funding sources, PACE/OAR can also provide connections to bus tickets, educational opportunities or other support services.
How do clients access services?
Information materials are provided to re-entry workers in correctional facilities around the State. At the Marion County Jail, prisoners can access educational and substance abuse programs provided by PACE/OAR and learn about post release services. Some clients seeking services were convicted of a felony but never served any prison time. Others were released from prison a long time ago, but are looking for employment again. Their felonies present a major challenge in finding employment. These individuals find PACE/OAR via word of- mouth from other clients who have been successful or are referred by other employment agencies who know we specialize in ex-offender services. Please contact (317) 612-6800 for more information.
How You can Help:
Employers: If you are an employer willing to consider hiring individuals with felony convictions, please contact our Employment Director, Rhiannon Williams, at (317) 612-6800 x18 or email rwilliams@pace-oar.org.
Donations:
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please contact Marcia Gray-Inskeep at (317) 612-6800 x10 or email mgray-inskeep@pace-oar.org.
Volunteers:
PACE/OAR has a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from internships to mentoring to serving on our Board of Directors. For more information on current volunteer opportunities, please contact Debbie Lockett at (317) 612-6800 or email dlockett@pace-oar.org.
Join our mailing list by sending an email to
professional@pace-oar.org.
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed for lunch daily
12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Our Partners:
PACE/OAR works with more than 95 employers who are willing to consider hiring individuals with felony convictions in a variety of employment positions. For basic needs, substance abuse, housing and other social services, PACE/OAR maintains a referral relationship with many agencies in the community.
Our Funders (2007):
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Dollar General Foundation
Hoover Family Foundation
Indianapolis Foundation
Indianapolis Private Industry Council
Making Connections Indianapolis
Marion County Jail
Marion County Comm. Corrections
Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
Season for Sharing
Second Presbyterian Church
United Way of Central Indiana
Verizon Foundation
PACE/OAR, Inc. ● 2855 N. Keystone Ave., Suite 110 ● Indianapolis, IN 46218 ● (317) 612-6800