Our Story

PATH Reentry founders Anthony Gomez and Andrea Edmunds share a connected ​history that spans nearly three decades. Born and raised in the Bronx, Anthony came ​to Virginia at age 17 for a fresh start at life. However, he soon made life altering ​choices that landed him behind bars facing a lifetime of imprisonment. Andrea ​worked for the court system as a P.O. and was tasked with writing his pre-sentence ​report. She could not conceive that the kind young kid she encountered made these ​poor, life-altering choices. So Andrea supported a lenient sentence, but the judge ​sentenced Anthony to life without parole.

While incarcerated, Anthony worked to better himself through educational, religious, ​and rehabilitation programs. He led the prison church, worked in the law library, and ​mentored the reentry community for many years. Andrea moved on from working in ​the judicial system and pursued a successful business career, but she never forgot ​the impact Anthony had on her, often sharing his story to show how easy it is for ​good individuals to make poor and costly choices.

In 2020, and with Andrea being a key proponent for his second chance, Anthony ​became the first individual to be paroled after nearly 24 years when Virginia ​changed the law to provide parole eligibility to youthful offenders. The two founded ​PATH Reentry to provide housing, peer mentoring and transitional services to ​returning citizens for their success and the good of communities.