History​

The Bedford Area Resource Council (BARC) was initially created to comply with Governor McDonnell’s request that localities create Prisoner Re-entry Councils to help offenders successfully assimilate back into their community after incarceration. The group formed in 2012 and was named the Bedford Area Re-entry Council. The mission of the Council at that time was “Community partners to work together to help identify problems/stressors, provide education, improve services, decrease recidivism and ultimately create a safe and healing environment for people reentering society”. The organization met monthly and included many community non-profits, faith organizations, and state and local government agencies.
 
In 2012 Bedford County Social Services received a grant from Casey Family Programs and the Virginia Department of Social Services. This funding was to be used to improve Family Engagement and Strengthen Families with a specific focus on Fatherhood Programs. Some of this funding was used to bring in a trainer from AHA Process to introduce the “Bridges Out of Poverty” philosophy. This training was initially provided in December 2012. This philosophy was then used by community leaders to organize the community collaboration needed to develop the Council and community networking.
 
In early 2014 Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital pulled together a focus group to help them work on action plans/identified needs in their Community Health Needs Assessment.  During that process it was decided that this focus group and the BARC should consider joining forces to address Bedford County’s community needs. On March 27, 2014 the two groups met together and decided to change the name to the Bedford Area Resource Council (BARC).  The organization more than doubled in size at that time and added new subcommittees needed to address community needs pertaining to Prisoner Re-Entry as well as those outlined in the Centra Health Needs Assessment. ​​