About

Who We Are

The Williamsburg Walk The Talk (WWTT) Mentoring Program is designed so that volunteer mentors can meet with mentees at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail (VPRJ) prior to their release to guide them in making preparations for their release and to be available for advice and moral support after release. The purpose is to encourage a smooth and successful transition from incarceration to finding a better quality of life in the greater Williamsburg area. The long-term objective is to reduce the jail’s recidivism rate.

There is the constant need to assist released inmates who have no supportive family in the area with clothing, food, transportation, jobs, and housing needs. This Mentoring Program is supported by the limited donations and voluntary time given by some of the local churches, service groups and individuals.

Our History

The Williamsburg Walk the Talk volunteers initiated this Mentoring Program in the spring of 2003 when local residents held a “walk” up Route 143 from the jail to make the community aware that those being released often have no means of transportation when leaving the jail. The closest bus stop is three miles away.

Our Current Work

WWTT operates with about 8-10 volunteers who provide one-on-one mentoring to clients. In a typical year, mentors made 275 jail visits, provided 147 car rides, drove 10,393 miles, for a total of 903 person hours expended. There were 333 contacts in the community with wrap-around services, as well as a good number of food cards, bus tickets, hygiene packets, backpacks given out, and some 109 motel nights. Each year, the mentors see between 40-60 clients. On average, mentors spend between 2-4 hours per week in mentoring clients, both within and outside the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail (VPRJ).

WWTT is aligned with Williamsburg's Colonial Community Corrections (CCC)

Training Manual

If you are interested in receiving a copy of our training manual please send a request to wwttalk@gmail.com