Richard Walker's journey is a powerful testament to personal transformation and systemic change. After experiencing incarceration, he didn't just rebuild his own life; he devoted himself to building a pathway for other returning citizens in Virginia. His experiences ultimately led him to found Bridging the Gap in Virginia (BTGVA) in 2009.
🌉 The Call to Action
Walker's motivation came directly from his own struggle with reentry after his release in the mid-2000s. He noted the immense challenges faced by people with a criminal history, particularly the loss of civil liberties and the difficulty in securing stable employment, which can contribute to the cycle of recidivism.
He was instrumental in advocacy efforts to expedite the restoration of rights for individuals with felony convictions. This includes the right to vote, serve on a jury, and run for public office—rights that Virginia, as the only state with a permanent ban unless an executive pardon is granted, makes exceptionally difficult to regain. Having successfully had his own rights restored, Walker has even run for the House of Delegates.
🌱 Bridging Gaps with Green Jobs
BTGVA's approach goes beyond advocacy and directly addresses employment and environmental justice. Key programs include:
• Workforce Development: BTGVA focuses on providing specialized skills training, notably in solar installation and energy efficiency conversion initiatives. This work aims to equip returning citizens with in-demand, marketable skills in the renewable energy sector, reducing barriers to employability.
• Environmental Justice: Walker's personal ties to the historic Union Hill community in Buckingham County inspired him to rally against a proposed compressor station that threatened the community’s environment. BTGVA combines restorative justice with positive environmental impacts, such as incorporating solar power and rain-catching systems into community gardens to address food insecurity.
• Reentry Services: The organization is committed to helping individuals who are struggling with addiction, incarceration, and chronic homelessness. They provide services like mental health support, substance abuse recovery, and referrals for housing, fulfilling their mission to empower marginalized communities, veterans, and returning citizens.
Richard Walker's work demonstrates that community leadership, focused policy reform, and innovative job training are essential tools for ensuring that people who have paid their debt to society can achieve sustained success.
The following video features Richard Walker discussing the solar training programs for returning citizens through his organization:Â
Solar Training for Returning Citizens featuring Saint Richard Walker of Bridging the Gap of Virginia.Â
https://youtu.be/4AHyoSTffXE?si=LvnO1uW2tS4TVB8S
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