By Richard Johnson

As I move around the community, I constantly find people who feel the recent election results mainly benefit certain powerful groups that had spent a lot of money to get their candidates or issues supported.

When some voters, especially some first-time voters, see the results of how these powerful groups use their money, they become dismayed, and they feel that the election results are flawed and tainted.

And, at the end of the day, they feel like they are held hostage and those harmed are mainly the people.

To be frank, these feelings come from realizing that we the people lack a voice that is heard and respected.

The Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back (FIGB) organization seeks to change this sense of powerlessness by creating a new narrative of hope.

FIGB by going out and registering and educating more voters. This door-to-door, person-to-person approach will increase turnout and give them their own platform and voice at the polls. There is a huge population of potential voters that for the most part have been ignored and left out of the voting process.

Recently, laws have changed that allow for empowering formerly incarcerated men and women the right to vote and express their concerns in matters that affect their lives as well.

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FIGB is in collaboration with Charles Reed, a formerly incarcerated advocate, along with the aid of volunteers such as Maureen Forney and Ruth Schoenbach, are on the front lines daily to make this happen daily.

They certainly would welcome and appreciate other volunteers that want to assist as well. Voting is a right that could potentially correct the wrongs which confront society in every manner. However, unless we take full advantage of this protected right, nothing will happen to halt the trajectory of wrong that is permeating our culture and our society.

Voting is the key to a much-needed change in the electoral process because we have a vested interest in the outcomes that promote the betterment of communities.

The Third Act Organization of FIGB, Charles Reed, and associates is dedicated to working diligently to achieve these goals.

They need the help of volunteers who also share their belief that increased voter participation can strengthen our democracy.

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