The largest class of Incarceration Doesn’t Define Us (I.D.D.U.) graduates were honored during a ceremony Tuesday, March 12, at 1 Community Way.
On Tuesday, 12 participants in the seventh I.D.D.U. class received a certificate of completion following their commitment to attend weekly training and information sessions about job readiness, housing, education opportunities, budgeting and more. The program now has 59 individuals who have graduated.
“Due to this program, I am going to pursue counseling,” said graduate Bridgett Richardson, speaking before her fellow classmates and those in attendance.
Graduate Gregory Gwynn also spoke Tuesday, and noted what a wonderful program I.D.D.U. has been.
“We’ve been restored back into society and our community, and it’s a great feeling. We have more gratitude and appreciation because the struggle has been real,” Gwynn said. He noted that while he has not been incarcerated, the program has helped him overcome addiction and change the trajectory of his life.
Chief Chris Wiles also spoke during the graduation ceremony, and offered words of encouragement to each graduate to never give in, and never give up.
Participating in the program was Angel Brim, a representative with Virginia Cares, who said she enjoyed the comradery with the I.D.D.U. class each week. She brought each graduate a token of appreciation.
Tuesday’s graduates included Jeremy Elliot, Gregory Gwynn, Rayshawn Allen, Linwood D. Turner Jr., Amber Holland, Shelia Calloway, Bridgett Richardson, Frank G. Scott, Licia Barnes, Jenny Cheeseman, Alexander Johnson, and Terry Orgburn.
I.D.D.U. provides resources and assistance to citizens who have recently been released from jail ease back into the community over an eight-week period.
Since the program’s inception in 2021, Community Relations Liaison Ashtyn Foddrell remains committed to being a reference and resource for all the I.D.D.U. graduates.
The successes of the I.D.D.U. program have been overwhelming, as Foddrell pointed out, because there have been graduates who have returned to school to receive their GED, earn a college degree, and received a commercial driver’s license. Another graduate has also had their CNA license restored to return to nursing full time.
Foddrell was invited to present the I.D.D.U. program at the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in 2022. In addition, other law enforcement agencies have reached out to her to learn how they can implement a similar I.D.D.U. program in their jurisdiction.