Gemma García: A LEAP of Faith

Gemma M. García’s volunteer work with a church-based prison ministry in South Florida sparked a passion for helping incarcerated women – and an AARP Purpose Prize.

Moved by the harsh realities these women faced, García (67), a retired Wall Street executive, co-founded the Ladies Empowerment & Action Program (LEAP) in 2009. Initially focused on entrepreneurship, LEAP expanded to address critical needs such as trauma, addiction, mental health, and employability. Through initiatives like the Dragonfly Thrift Store, virtual entrepreneurship programs, and Re-Entry Hub, LEAP offers a comprehensive approach to helping women rebuild their lives post-incarceration.

García’s dedication to reducing recidivism and advocating for prison reform has changed not only the lives of hundreds of women but also her perspective. In this interview, García discusses her journey, the challenges incarcerated women face, and how LEAP is making a difference.

Can you talk about a turning point in your life that fueled your passion for founding LEAP?

It was actually when I went to a prison through a faith-based group here in South Florida that the Lord put it in my heart. My heart was touched because I saw such a tremendous need for these women to have support. I have been blessed to be born into a fantastic family, and I realized then that not everyone has the same journey as I did.

Education is a huge value to me; my parents were born in Cuba, and they often said that the only thing Castro could not take away from them was their education. Many of the ladies I met were victims of the circumstances they were born into. The question I always asked myself was, ‘What is the possibility or the probability that these women are going to be able to lead a life that is peaceful and fair to them, as opposed to growing up in homes where there’s addiction, where parents are imprisoned, and they have very little opportunities?’ So that’s really when I realized something had to be done.

Did anyone else help you start LEAP?

Yes, we’re three co-founders. Both of the ladies who co-founded LEAP with me were also part of it. Our original idea was to start a transition home because we realized that the prison was a revolving door — they would get out, you know, and then be back. So that was our original idea.

What is LEAP’s selection process for participants?

We don’t discriminate by age, race, or even the crime they have committed. That doesn’t matter. For the selection process, you have to be within one year of leaving prison. We get many applicants, so they have to complete an application, go through an interview, and then join the program. We offer two five-month programs.

What are common offenses you see your clients being jailed for or imprisoned for?

We often see crimes like theft that are directly linked to supporting an addiction. Addiction drives a lot of this behavior. For instance, some women have accidents and begin taking painkillers. After the doctor cuts them off, they’re addicted and must turn to the black market, which is costly. As a result, they commit crimes like credit card fraud to fund their addiction.

What are your thoughts on the need for justice system reform in the United States?

You know, that’s so important for us—advocacy, realizing that the justice system needs to change. Some states in the United States are much more advanced and forward-thinking than Florida, but overall, we need our justice system to shift from being punitive to rehabilitative. There are many countries with rehabilitative programs that we can certainly learn from. For example, in Norway, I’ve seen documentaries where an inmate comes into prison, and they don’t even wear uniforms—they wear regular clothing—and from the moment they step in, the rehabilitation starts. There’s no reason why we can’t follow that model.

What key elements or principles within the LEAP programs have been the most instrumental in driving your success?

There are three components: education, being able to offer a job when they’re released—employment—and housing. If you have, especially housing and employment, in place, then I can say I guarantee that recidivism in our country would be reduced drastically.

What does “aging with attitude” mean to you?

For me, it’s aging with a young mind, knowing that there are things that we can do to make a difference in this world.

Learn more about LEAP’s programs and support here.

Photo: Stephen Voss for AARP

NaBeela Washington, an emerging Black writer, holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University and Bachelor’s in Visual Advertising from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been published in Eater, The Cincinnati Review, and others. Learn more at nabeelawashington.com.