Pictured from left to right are; Ed Coleman, Director of Virginia’s Victims’ Rights Foundation; Rita Henderson, Director of OMBD; Robert Holmes, OMBD Program Administrator; and Kevin Lucas, OMBD Contract Compliance Specialist.

To help inmates get a head-start on preparing for their new life after incarceration, representatives from the City of Richmond’s Office of Minority Business Development (OMBD) met with Richmond City Jail inmates on Friday, July 11, at the request of Richmond City Sherriff C. T. Woody and Ed Coleman, Director of Virginia’s Victims’ Rights Foundation. The visit is part of the jail’s Belief Program, which is a 12-step peer-to-peer program to assist substance abuse inmates with rehabilitation and their entry back into society.

“Our goal is to offer start-up business information and provide program participants with the knowledge they need to start a new life once released,” said Ms. Rita Henderson, Director of OMBD.  “It’s an opportunity to partner with the Sheriff’s office to provide educational assistance to inmates and hopefully at the same time reduce the jail’s recidivism rate.”

OMBD conducted a presentation for 75 male inmates and another for 20 female inmates and fielded question and answer sessions.  Questions ranged from, “Can I apply for a loan to open a business though I have a felony record?” to “I love catering and want to start a business, where do I begin?”

Contact: Michael Wallace (804) 646-2772