Projects & Advocacy

Bridging the Gap in Virginia (BTGVA) proudly led the "Take a Stand" Initiative to promote voter rights and civic empowerment throughout Central Virginia. In partnership with the Southern Leadership for Voter Engagement Network (SOLVE), Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged & Disenfranchised (RIHD), Richmond Crusade for Voters, and the Richmond Democracy Center, this collaborative effort—led by BTGVA’s Executive Director Richard Walker—brought together community leaders, advocates, and residents to work toward a shared goal: ensuring that every Virginian had the resources and opportunity to fully engage in the democratic process.

Mission and Objectives

BTGVA's Initiative focused on expanding voter access, educating citizens on their rights, and strengthening civic engagement, especially in communities historically affected by voting barriers. Through voter education programs, community events, and policy advocacy, the initiative strove to dismantle these obstacles and empower Virginians with the information needed to exercise their rights fully.

Achievements and Milestones

One of  BTGVA's Initiative was the Central Virginia Justice Tour, where BTGVA, Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged & Disenfranchised (RIHD), and others engaged communities with open discussions about voting rights, the restoration of rights, and legislative impacts on local lives. This tour provided residents with valuable insights and fostered crucial conversations about the challenges and responsibilities tied to civic participation.

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BTGVA also organized "Take a Stand" voter education fish fries in partnership with Richmond Crusade for Voters and the Richmond Democracy Center. Held at accessible locations like Gilpin, Mosby, Whitcomb Courts, and other neighborhoods; these events provided vital educational materials and community resources, creating a welcoming setting for civic engagement. Furthermore, BTGVA has actively pursued legal advocacy, including a lawsuit against Governor Youngkin, to address systemic barriers that prevent Virginians from exercising their right to vote. This combined advocacy underscores BTGVA’s and its partners' commitment to protecting voting rights and fostering a fair, inclusive electoral system for all Virginians.

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Community Impact and Legacy

With the partnership and support of SOLVE, Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged & Disenfranchised, Richmond Crusade for Voters, and the Richmond Democracy Center, BTGVA fostered a legacy of civic empowerment and advocacy for voter access that continues to inspire. The initiative left a lasting impact on the Central Virginia communities it reached, building a foundation for future efforts to protect and expand civic participation and equity in Virginia's democratic landscape. Through these collaborative efforts, BTGVA and its partners contributed to a stronger, more just, and representative society for all Virginians.

“I am a resident of the city of Richmond, but I’m here, and I will be here to help that fight. At some point they will not get those permits,” said Richard Walker Tuesday, while referencing past court decisions that have overturned air permits for other controversial energy projects, including one for an Atlantic Coast Pipeline compressor station in Buckingham County. “We went to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and that three judge panel told them, ‘You do not have sufficient evidence for us to agree to grant you this permit.’ That needs to happen here.”

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CHESTERFIELD – About 150 Chesterfield County residents showed up Tuesday to again oppose Dominion Energy Virginia’s proposed gas plant that the utility says is needed to meet rising energy demand in the state.

The Friends of the Chesterfield, a group formed to push back against the plant, held their own “People’s Hearing”  in lieu of a public hearing they’ve requested but that the County Board of Supervisors hasn’t held.

Maria Alvarado, a representative of the Central American Solidarity Association, or CASA, a group advocating on behalf of Black, Latino, Afro-descendent, indigenous, and immigrant communities, called the planned plant “a ticking time bomb” threatening residents’ health. 

“Every breath we take is at risk. It is not just about today, it is about long term health and survival of our community,” Alvarado said in Spanish, a translator rendering her words in English to the crowd.

Virginia is the only state that permanently bans all ex-felons from voting unless they receive an executive pardon. Richard Walker uses his nonprofit – and cooking skills – to help other former felons win back their voting rights 

BY CIANNA MORALES

WHRO

Richard Walker toiled over a sizzling deep fryer, dropping breaded fish into the hot  oil on a late summer afternoon. People lined up at a park shelter in Richmond’s Gilpin Court public housing complex, waiting for a fish dinner — and also getting an election message from Walker.

Walker’s mission was to get people ready to vote in the upcoming election — by helping people with prior felony convictions check their voting status or apply to have their voting rights restored.

“Fish brings out the best in people,” he said. “It at least brings people out.” 

Virginia is the only state that permanently suspends a person’s voting rights and other civil liberties after a felony conviction, regardless of the crime or completion of their sentence. Other states with strict restrictions restore rights depending on the type of felony conviction

Under Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, people with a felony conviction must apply to the governor’s office, which decides on a case-by-case basis to restore voting rights. 

The Richmond community event was a block party and voter mobilization effort all at once. Walker’s organization, Bridging the Gap in Virginia, was joined by booths with information about registration and local politicians campaigning among residents of one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. 

People waited in long, snaking lines to pick up fried fish dinners. Kids played basketball on the court next door. Groups from the neighborhood were drawn by the food, music and social activities. 

Several people with felony convictions approached Walker and his colleague, Charles “Blake” Deyhle, about their voting status. Some had automatically regained their voting rights under previous governors. Deyhle looked up residents’ names on the Secretary of the Commonwealth website to check their registration status. He had some fill out applications to start the process of restoration. (Click here for the full article)

Bridging the Gap in Virginia (BTGVA) is excited to announce our Voter Information and Education Rallies, taking place in the BIG 6 Public Housing Projects in Richmond in preparation for the 2024 elections. These rallies aim to empower residents with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions at the polls.

In partnership with Richmond Crusade for Voters and the Richmond Democracy Center, our rallies will focus on critical issues such as criminal justice reform, emphasizing the importance of voting to voice your opinions and drive change. We will also address environmental justice and the urgent need for sustainable practices that benefit all communities. Additionally, we will highlight the value of education in fostering a more informed and engaged electorate.

Join us as we take a stand for a better future. Your voice matters, and your vote is the key to making it heard. Together, we can create a more just and equitable society. Stay tuned for dates and locations, and learn how you can get involved in these vital efforts to shape our community's future.

Bridging the Gap in Virginia (BTGVA) is thrilled to announce our partnership with the City of Richmond Mayor's Youth Academy to provide a comprehensive 6-week Solar Training Program for high school students in Richmond. This innovative program is designed to equip young individuals with essential skills and knowledge in the burgeoning field of renewable energy.

The program includes:

- NABCEP Solar Installation Training: Participants will receive training aligned with the standards of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), preparing them for certification and careers in solar energy. NABCEP training is provided via Sean White Solar.

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- OSHA10 Certification: Students will earn their OSHA10 certification, ensuring they understand the safety protocols necessary for working in the renewable energy industry.

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- Hands-On Training: Participants will engage in practical, hands-on training in community gardens, applying their newly acquired skills in real-world settings.

In addition to technical training, the program features speakers from various environmental groups across Virginia. These experts will broaden participants' understanding of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the environmental impacts of our energy choices.

This partnership underscores our commitment to empowering the next generation with the tools they need to succeed in the green economy while fostering a deeper appreciation for sustainability and environmental stewardship. We are excited to see the positive impact this program will have on the youth of Richmond and the broader community.

Stay tuned for more details on how to get involved and support this transformative initiative.

BTGVA's innovative Community Garden Solar and Rain Catching Irrigation Project is a testament to our commitment to environmental sustainability and community empowerment. In collaboration with Richmond's Office of Sustainability, we are outfitting 11 community gardens with solar panels and rain-catching systems at no charge to the communities. By harnessing solar energy and collecting rainwater, we create an environmentally friendly irrigation system that promotes water conservation and energy efficiency. This project not only supports the growth of healthy, organic produce but also reduces reliance on traditional water and energy sources, contributing to a greener, more resilient community. Through this initiative, BTGVA demonstrates its dedication to environmental stewardship and empowering communities to cultivate thriving, sustainable gardens.

The Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance makes an annual award recognizing an individual or organization for significant contributions advancing renewable energy in Virginia. This year, Richard Walker was nominated and chosen for the award. The Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance cited the following when presenting the award to Mr. Walker: “Richard Walker is a mental health professional and Founder and CEO of Bridging the Gap in Virginia, a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to empower ex-offenders, veterans, persons in substance abuse recovery, and those experiencing chronic homelessness. A strong advocate for environmental justice and renewable energy, Richard developed a green workforce development program that has already facilitated free clean energy career trainings to 52 vulnerable individuals and returning citizens, providing them a crucial path to overcoming barriers to change; as well as a Virginia Energy Workforce Consortium committee member for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Richard’s work across Virginia as an advocate for rights restoration and “Ban the Box” (Fair Chance hiring) ordinances has assisted over 10,000 individuals in getting their civil rights restored. Richard has served on the Stakeholders Group for Restoration of Rights for three governors and is a Federal Bureau of Prisons Certified Offender Workforce Development Specialist. He also serves as a Committee Member for multiple Regional Reentry Councils, facilitated “Overcoming Barriers” employment workshops for the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building, and is a certified VADOC Statewide Volunteer for Cognitive and Reentry Community Units. He has advocated for Expungement, ending Solitary Confinement, fair access for public housing, and other legislation that has adversely affected all Virginians. For many years, Richard has been a strong community advocate and through his work, Richard continues to uplift vulnerable individuals and advance justice.” (Click here for the full article)

Opponents of a five-year-old plan to build a natural gas compressor station in a historically black community of Virginia say they've scored a "major victory" for environmental justice after a federal court invalidated a key permit for the project.

In announcing its decision, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond unanimously agreed that Virginia's Air Pollution Control Board failed to consider how the project would disproportionately affect residents of Union Hill, some of whom can trace their lineage to slave ancestors and freedmen who settled in rural Buckingham County after the Civil War.

The ruling is a setback for Dominion, which has seen its larger effort — a 600-mile, multistate natural gas pipeline project known as the Atlantic Coast Pipeline — hampered by delays. 

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In the end Dominion Energy abandoned the project due to public protest, legal issues, and exorbitant delays.