walter “wally” clare

Walter “Wally” Clare is a passionate circle keeper and restorative justice advocate with a giant heart and a famously colorful vocabulary. Grounded in accountability and healing, Wally leads by example, modeling the power of radical vulnerability in every space he enters.Wally has been practicing restorative justice (RJ) for nearly a decade, beginning with programs he participated in and helped lead at MCI Norfolk during his incarceration. When asked what first drew him to RJ, Wally laughs and says, “Bobby’s punk ass” (told you he’s colorful). While his friend Bobby may have been the spark, it was the transformative power of the work that kept him committed.

“I was doing a lot of mentorship and helping to lead multiple programs in the prison at the time, including Alternatives to Violence, Emotional Awareness, and the CRA. What was special about RJ is that it helped me start to understand the true power of community, and the impact of one person’s actions on a whole. Through sitting in circle with survivors, I began to realize all the ripples of people I had impacted, even if I never intended to. RJ gave me a way to give back and make amends.”

Wally is especially committed to young people, viewing his lived experience as a tool to help others avoid the same traumas and pitfalls. “My heart is for kids. Whenever I see them, it’s all about them. We’ve already lived that life. It’s our job to protect and support them so they don’t have to.”

Less than a year after returning home, Wally has already made a profound impact, jumping in headfirst and playing a key role in overhauling and organizing TPP’s curriculum. He is driven to expand programming and increase access so more people can experience the power of restorative justice. Deeply spiritual, Wally sees a clear alignment between his faith and his work: “The gospel and RJ have always lined up for me. They’re both about reparations and service to those who most need it.”

Wally believes “it’s our responsibility to create systemic change that ripples into community,” and he shows up every day ready to do exactly that. We’re so thankful to have him!