Podcast Summary: "We Believe: A Conversation with Don Williams"

The PM Podcast episode titled "We Believe: A Conversation with Don Williams" delves deep into the transformative journey of Don Williams, one of the founders of JumpStart. Released on September 1, 2024, this episode explores Williams' path from incarceration to becoming a changemaker in reducing recidivism rates through innovative programs in South Carolina.

1. Introduction

Host: Jay Frost
Guest: Don Williams, Founder of JumpStart
Topic: Don Williams' journey from incarceration to establishing JumpStart, an organization that significantly reduces recidivism rates.

2. Early Life and Struggles

Don Williams opens up about his challenging upbringing, emphasizing the influence of his single-parent household and the responsibilities he shouldered from a young age.

Don Williams [00:00]: "We believed that if God changed us, that he can change all of those men and women that we knew... their future could be greater than their past."

Williams recounts being left as the "man of the house" after his siblings moved out and the hardships his mother faced working multiple jobs to support the family.

Don Williams [00:31]: "The neighborhood that I grew up in... it was opportunity to do the right thing, but it was also opportunity to get into some mischief."

3. Descent into Criminal Activity

At 14, facing financial pressures and limited opportunities, Williams turned to selling drugs as a means to alleviate his family's burdens. This path eventually led to repeated run-ins with the law.

Don Williams [02:15]: "I figured out a way to get the money to them, to where, you know, it wasn't as much stress."

Despite attempts to change his trajectory, including a brief stint working in Columbia and starting a janitorial service, Williams found himself returning to old habits, resulting in his incarceration in 1998 for possession with intent to distribute.

4. Turning Point and Realization

During his second incarceration in 2002, a devastating personal loss—his brother's overdose—served as a critical turning point for Williams. This tragedy underscored the gaps in support systems for individuals re-entering society.

Don Williams [09:59]: "When you get out from incarceration... you've got to find some place to stay. And there's no place that I know of."

The death of his brother highlighted the urgent need for programs that provide continuous support both inside and after prison.

5. Founding JumpStart

Upon release in March 2004, Williams wasted no time in channeling his experiences into creating a solution. By April 2005, he began teaching employment readiness, gradually expanding his efforts into founding JumpStart.

Don Williams [25:19]: "I felt that she's pleased because... if she was alive today, she would be wanting me to do exactly what I'm doing."

JumpStart's mission focuses on bridging the gap between incarceration and successful re-entry into society, aiming to drastically reduce recidivism rates.

6. Program Structure and Success

JumpStart's program is meticulously designed as a 40-week discipleship course, utilizing the Purpose Driven Lifebook alongside a tailored workbook curriculum. The program emphasizes leadership, mentorship, and personal accountability.

Don Williams [36:25]: "It's a discipleship program... we also use the Purpose Driven Lifebook."

Key components include:

• Boot Camp (Weeks 1-4): Establishing program foundations and introducing core values.
• Curriculum-Based Learning (Weeks 5-40): Engaging with the Purpose Driven Life book, fostering discussions, and building leadership skills.
• Assessments: Every 10 weeks, participants are evaluated and categorized into tiers (Blue, Green, Yellow, Red) to tailor support and interventions.

JumpStart boasts a remarkable recidivism rate of just 4%, compared to the national average of 70%.

Don Williams [42:14]: "Individuals that have been through our program, only 4% have gone back."

7. Restoration Village: Expanding Support

To further support individuals post-release, JumpStart is developing Restoration Village—a comprehensive transitional housing project. This initiative aims to provide stable housing, financial literacy education, and continuous employment opportunities.

Don Williams [46:46]: "With Restoration Village, our goal is to not only assist the individuals that's come through the Jumpstart program but also for individuals that's within our community that's unemployed or underemployed due to their criminal background."

Restoration Village will increase housing capacity from 50 to 96 participants, offering 22 fully furnished homes and enhancing JumpStart's ability to support more individuals.

8. Addressing Stigma and Building Relationships

A significant barrier to successful re-entry is the pervasive stigma surrounding formerly incarcerated individuals. JumpStart actively works to combat this by educating employers and fostering a culture of acceptance and opportunity.

Don Williams [49:24]: "It's so easy just to throw your hands in the air... when something like that happens."

Through mock interviews and confidence-building exercises, JumpStart empowers participants to present themselves as valuable assets despite their criminal records.

9. Funding and Sustainability

JumpStart operates through a blend of donor support and self-financing strategies. Participants contribute a modest fee once employed, which helps sustain the housing and program operations.

Don Williams [53:00]: "By doing that... we have a commercial landscaping company... we have that as a social enterprise."

Donations are strategically utilized to maximize impact, ensuring that every dollar contributes effectively to the mission of transforming lives.

10. Looking Forward: National Expansion and Legacy

While JumpStart has primarily focused on South Carolina, efforts are underway to replicate its success in other states. By establishing programs in Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio, JumpStart aims to nationwide reduce recidivism and support countless individuals in their journey toward reintegration.

Don Williams [56:31]: "We're looking at a couple other states... we're going to be able to."

11. Reflections and Personal Motivations

Williams attributes much of his commitment to his mother's legacy of community service and his own personal losses. He believes that his work honors his mother's spirit and aims to prevent others from experiencing the pain he has endured.

Don Williams [57:43]: "I think that she would congratulate me and tell me that I'm on the right seat of the bus."

Conclusion

Don Williams' story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of community-driven initiatives. Through JumpStart and the upcoming Restoration Village, Williams is not only transforming his life but also paving the way for thousands of others to break free from the cycle of incarceration. His unwavering belief in second chances and the profound impact of structured support systems highlight a beacon of hope in the challenging realm of criminal justice reform.

Notable Quotes:

• Don Williams [00:00]: "We believe that if God changed us, that he can change all of those men and women..."
• Don Williams [42:14]: "Individuals that have been through our program, only 4% has went back."
• Don Williams [49:24]: "It's so easy just to throw your hands in the air... when something like that happens."
• Don Williams [57:43]: "I think that she would congratulate me and tell me that I'm on the right seat of the bus."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates Don Williams' journey, the foundation and impact of JumpStart, and the ongoing efforts to expand support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Through heartfelt storytelling and a commitment to actionable solutions, this episode sheds light on effective strategies to combat recidivism and foster genuine societal change.