Tim Richardson, The man who raised $30,000 from prison.
From Prison to Purpose:
The Story Behind E.P.I.D.E.M.E.K.
Restored Citizen | Advocate | Builder of Second Chances
​
Timothy Richardson’s life is a testimony to transformation. He was raised in a two-parent home, but after his parents divorced, everything changed. Forced into unfamiliar conditions and instability, Timothy stepped into the role of “man of the house” long before he was ready. Without guidance or support, he turned to the streets — a choice that led to criminal behavior, juvenile incarceration, and ultimately, adult prison.
​
His first adult sentence lasted ten years. “I learned nothing,” he says — not because he didn’t want to grow, but because there were no real tools or support for change. After release, he fell into the same cycle and was sent back to prison for a second time. But that time, something shifted. That second sentence became the awakening that would change his life.
​
Through deep self-reflection, faith, and a desire to break generational patterns, Timothy began rebuilding from the inside out. He committed himself to understanding systems, healing trauma, and using his story to help others escape the trap he once lived in.
​
Today, Timothy leads E.P.I.D.E.M.E.K. — a nonprofit built to empower restored citizens like himself with housing, education, mentorship, and policy advocacy. He’s helped build transitional homes, design reentry programs, and launch campaigns to establish restored citizens as a legally protected class. His work is rooted in lived experience, real change, and radical belief in redemption.
​
“I’m not who I was — and neither are they. That’s what E.P.I.D.E.M.E.K. stands for: restoration with purpose.”-Timothy Richardson
Discover how Timothy Richardson turned incarceration into opportunity. In this compelling talk, he shares how he raised $30,000 while in prison, using initiative, strategic communication, and resilience to build resources and trust inside a correctional environment. This video offers real-world lessons in leadership, restoration, and resourcefulness—highlighting how purpose and mindset can create transformation even in the most challenging circumstances.​​​
​
Inside Pickaway Correctional Institution, Timothy Richardson and the 7th Step Group hosted a powerful presentation where community stakeholders gathered to witness the donation of checks raised through their restorative justice initiative—demonstrating transformation, accountability, and community impact from within.
