Iron Gate, VA (Dec. 11, 2025)— This afternoon, the Journal sat down with local couple, Channing and Andrea Davis, who recently started up a nonprofit called "Light Beyond Bars." The purpose of "Light Beyond Bars" is to provide resources, hope, and encouragement to those coming out of incarceration and reentering society. It also provides a support system for those struggling with the stigma of the "formerly incarcerated" and/or the urge to become a repeat offender.
The nonprofit began when Blue Ridge Community College's CDL instructor, James "Jim" Butler invited the Davis' to be guest speakers at an event geared at discussing education in the prison systems. The Davis', both formerly incarcerated, have over the years abstained from becoming repeat offenders, turned their lives around, and have become well-respected, contributing members of society. An inspiring story indeed.
Knowing the Davis' background and current state, Butler reached out for the pair to share their stories. Afterwards, as they say, it snowballed. They found themselves being asked to speak at one prison, then another, and another, and another. Because they loved what they were doing and, essentially, providing hope and inspiration to others behind bars, the idea for "Light Beyond Bars" was born.
Now a nonprofit since April of this year, it has operated solely at the expense of Channing and Andrea Davis. As their mission statement goes, "We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals through impactful programs and initiatives. Our focus is on fostering sustainable development, promoting equality, and supporting those in need within our community."
Although small, "Light Beyond Bars" will have a big future if the Davis' have anything to say about it. They are currently awaiting funds to help grow their idea into, first, a "Transition House." The transition house will operate as a co-living space, with multiple bedrooms and shared living spaces in the bathroom, living room, kitchen, etc. It will provide outgoing inmates with a stable home environment until they can get out on their own and have their own living quarters, thus reducing the chances of homelessness after prison.
"We not just talking [about former inmates], we'll pick up the phone when they call, just call and check on them," Channing Davis said. "We would like to get to the point where we can keep in contact with people's employers, just to keep some fire behind them when they get out because me and her [Andrea] had the fire behind us from each other."
"We tell the guys, 'It's not easy out here.' It's not," Andrea Davis said of the temptations of being a repeat offender. "What keeps me is the consequences. I don't want to lose my husband, I don't want to lose my kids, I don't want to lose my business, my house."
Instead, she and her husband, Channing, pour their energy into helping others resist those temptations and provide them resources so they, too, can reenter society and become a functioning member of it.
The Davis' have applied for grants and are currently awaiting the funds needed to catapult their nonprofit to the next level. For those who may wish to help the Davis' in their endeavors or provide a donation, please visit lbbfinc.com, give Channing Davis a call at 540-958-8543, or send a check or money order to:
Light Beyond Bars Foundation
P.O. Box 22
Iron Gate, VA 24448
All checks should be made payable to "Light Beyond Bars Foundation." |  | (Photo Courtesy of Light Beyond Bars Foundation)
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