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Build a Strong Community

Walter firmly believes that Arlington’s strength is the diversity of its people. Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly in bringing diverse groups together to build positive change through collaboration and trust.

Walter gives opening remarks at the Buckingham Talent Show held at
the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, May 14, 2011

During his tenure on the County Board, he has:

  • Established the Office of the Public Defender to serve Arlington and the City of Falls Church, ensuring legal representation for our indigent residents
  • Created the Arlington Non-Profit Assistance Initiative to provide support and resources to strengthen non-profit organizations that serve our neediest residents, for which he received the prestigious Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award from the Center for Non-Profit Advancement
  • Created the Community Volunteer Network, formerly known as the Community Role Models, promoting civic engagement and leadership development among young adults through educational and community service opportunities, and recognized with an Acts of Caring Award by the National Association of Counties
  • Created the innovative Diversity Dialogues to bring Arlingtonians together to share their diverse points of view, a process which has been adopted by school and community groups as an important tool in discussing meaningful issues
  • Partnered the Arlington Economic Development Office with the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to help minority business owners strengthen their businesses and open up opportunities for new entrepreneurs
  • Established the quarterly Latino Roundtable, providing a public forum for Spanish speaking residents and other immigrants to discuss county, regional, state and national issues
  • Strengthened youth leadership development through supporting organizations such as the Buckingham Youth Brigade and Phoenix Bikes, and motivating thousands of young people through mentoring and frequent speaking engagements with youth groups and at schools
  • Expanded diversity of county commissions through recruitment and appointment of candidates representing different perspectives
  • Partnered the Department of Human Services with pro bono attorneys and community groups for the New Arlingtonians Initiative to assist eligible immigrants in becoming full members of our American society
  • Established the Attention to Prevention Initiative, partnering with non-profit community organizations to prevent youngsters from joining gangs

Walter is committed to involving Arlington’s extensive diversity in age, race, gender, ethnicity and national origin, sexual orientation, and ability, and is committed to bringing new points of view and ideas to Arlington’s policy decisions and community life.