United Way of Greater Williamsburg started a ‘Guest House Re-entry Program’ for recently incarcerated individuals in 2011. We currently have three male houses with nine residents and a house manager for each house. The Re-entry Program provides free shelter for up to 12 months, in some cases longer, to those accepted into the program. The graph below illustrates a cost comparison showing that the Re-entry program can provide housing for one-third of the cost of Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail (VPRJ) which saves taxpayers money. Statistically, if a male getting out of VPRJ is homeless, he will be back in jail within 45 days. With the Re-entry Program, we try to break that cycle and provide safe, free, and supportive housing for these former inmates to increase their chances of a successful transition back into the community.
Jonathan Martinez, 32 years old, moved from Michigan to Williamsburg, VA several years ago to attend a nearby culinary school. He was incarcerated for three years at Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail (VPRJ) for crimes related to alcohol abuse which provoked domestic violence charges. Jonathan admittedly has struggled with alcohol dependency for years. While incarcerated, Jonathan became committed to his sobriety and mentored others who also suffered from alcohol and drug addictions.
Jonathan was released from VPRJ and entered in the Re-entry Program in May 2014. He began volunteering several days a week with different organizations including the Habitat for Humanity Re-store. He performed well at his duties and after several weeks, Habitat for Humanity offered him full-time employment and almost a year later he was promoted to a management position.
Jonathan is devoted to his recovery and building healthy relationships with his two children, family, and friends. Since his entrance into the Program, Jonathan started paying his child support right away and has paid all his fines and court costs. Due to his extensive fines and fast track in which he elected to pay them off and his success in the program, Jonathan was granted an extension to remain in the Re-entry Program to save enough money to live independently. He regularly attends sobriety meetings, volunteers his time for United Way projects and events, advocates on behalf of the Re-entry Program, and is very active in his Church.