Our Story

Everyone wants to belong somewhere, to feel like they have a purpose amongst friends and family. When that feeling of loneliness, rejection, or emptiness presents itself the receiver of that pain feels that it is their fault. That there is some flaw that they possess that makes them less desirable to the people who should love and support them.

This is the reason why Where You Belong exists. We know exactly what it feels like to be alone, feel empty, or to feel like you have no place to belong. We know the experience of it as an adolescent and we now comprehend the actions of our parents. We have taken all of those experiences and combined them, with a goal to blend families.

Our overriding goal is to provide effective and efficient services rooted in inclusiveness, reminding our clients they are a part of something possibly even bigger than themselves. Our mission is to define the wellbeing of individuals and families, in an environment that supports recovery, advocacy, and healing.

We are the missing piece, along with the human service agencies, providers, community, justice system, direct care workers, educators, parents, and youth. It our job to help shape that missing piece and replace that empty space with support so that we can complete the imperfectly perfect puzzle.

Our Team

NIKCOLA WALKER

Creative Director/ Youth Shape Shifter

Nikcola is an eccentric creative visionary; she is what most companies would deem as their secret weapon. Her spontaneous creativity has created many profitable programs for public and private companies around the Hampton Roads regions. She possesses an ability to create a plan and find the resources to see it through even when faced with adversity. Nikcola has an innate skill to help people become the best they can be. "When I asked God to reveal my gift, He showed me my talent through a friend who I helped believe in herself, start a business, and provide a great life for her children.”
Nikcola comes from a family of "little dreamers", however, she broke that curse from her that by learning to lean into her creativity and understanding that she is powerful beyond measure. That provided her with the freedom she desperately sought. Her imagination helps Where You Belong stand out among all others and reach people no one else could impact.

TAMARA VALENTINE

Chief Operating Officer / Outreach Specialist

Tam is the charismatic open-hearted confidante everyone desires to have in their life. She has a natural magnetic pull that allows people to tell her their deepest secrets and feel safe leaving them in her possession.Tam believes in the underdog when the world tells you that you will not survive, Tam knows how to show you and the world otherwise. At the age of 19, Tam found herself at Norfolk State University, like most young adults her age, but life would throw a twist in her journey. Tam's brother was born drug addicted. Doctors began to count him out; they said he wouldn't meet his milestones. They deemed him failure to thrive. Reports indicated the best course of action for him would be disability and medication. Tam had other plans; she put her dreams on hold and groomed a smart, thriving, and now college-educated young man. Tam saw first-hand what drugs could do to the addict and the offspring, but she also saw what love, care, and patience could do to beat the odds.

Our Purpose

To provide effective and efficient services rooted in inclusiveness, reminding clients they are a part of something possibly even bigger than themselves.

Our Mission

To define the wellbeing of individuals and families, in an environment that supports recovery, advocacy, and healing.

Our Vision

To rid traditionalism by bombarding it with unorthodox service delivery.

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Our Core Values

H. O. P. E. E.
Helping, the clients meet their needs. Optimistically, approaching every situation. Providing clients with essential resources. Encouraging healthy lifestyle changes. Excellent quality services.

THIS IS WHERE YOU BELONG