Improving Wellbeing in Amherst County
ID
VCE-1177-6NP
Sharing Knowledge
Many criminals return to prison because they were not rehabilitated while incarcerated. They struggle to find a job and often return to crime. Two-thirds of all parolees are rearrested within three years.
Through the Build a Bigger Bucket program, inmates learn to identify their spending leaks, create a workable budget, battle debt, and create a financial plan. Inmates who complete the program receive a voucher for access to additional financial literacy workbooks and resources.
Upon completion of the program, all inmates had prepared a working budget and could identify at least three spending leaks that they believe they would be able to prevent upon release. To date, 38 vouchers have been redeemed, and 14 inmates have contacted the office for additional resources and information.
Community Voices
“As the director of Second Stage Amherst, an art and community nonprofit, I am honored to be selected to provide space and encourage participation in the Bridge2Health program. Watching the multi- generational collaboration between teens and adults is heartfelt and a necessary addition to our society. My daughter chose to participate in the program last year and looks forward to another successful year with Bridge2Health. ”
Jessie Shipe
Director, Second Stage Amherst
1,803
Participants in Local Programs
Partners for Solutions
“As a 4-H adult leader for the past 22 years, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to become the 4-H technician. This
past year I worked diligently to continue the fourth grade 4-H in- school programming and served as one of the camp directors, which ensured our strong summer camp program continued.”
Louis Goldman
4-H Technician
To find out how you can support your local Extension office,
visit www.cals.vt.edu/make-a-gift.
100 Goodwin Street
Amherst, VA 24521
434-946-9365
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.
Publication Date
June 10, 2024
