Judge Julie Cantrell hugs Veterans Treatment Tribunal participant Anthony Drake on Wednesday as mentor Tommy O’Penson looks on. Drake plans to finish the program in December and says he’ll likely never drink alcohol again.
Jerzy Dunlap and mentor Joseph Simonetto exchange a smile Wednesday during graduation from Lake County Veterans Treatment Court.
Joseph Lowe smiles at his family as Judge Julie Cantrell congratulates him on Wednesday at the Lake County Veterans’ Treatment Court graduation ceremony.
Graduates from the Lake County Veterans Treatment Court pose for a photo with Lake Superior Court judge Julie Cantrell.
Judge Julie Cantrell presents gift baskets to Veterans Treatment Tribunal graduate Xavier Kuhn and his mentor Dr. Henry Hitchcock on Wednesday in a ceremony at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Judge Julie Cantrell compliments Jesus Arce at a graduation ceremony Wednesday for attendees at the Lake County Veterans Treatment Court.
Judge Julie Cantrell, left, presents Jerzy Dunlap, center, and mentor Joseph Simonetto with gift bags Wednesday at a graduation ceremony for attendees at Lake County Veterans Treatment Court.
Roy Reese kisses Judge Julie Cantrell at the Lake County Veterans’ Treatment Court graduation ceremony Wednesday at Crown Point.
CROWN POINT – Some of the 14 attendees at the Lake County Veterans’ Treatment Court who celebrated their graduation ceremony on Wednesday appeared through Zoom, while others brought their families.
Lake Superior Court judge Julie Cantrell congratulated them all on their hard work.
“Sometimes we make big strides. Sometimes we make little strides. Sometimes we do things with big expectations, and sometimes it takes a lot of pushing, pushing, begging and pleading,” Cantrell said.
“I tell veterans that I will be happy to be your teacher, your mother, your babysitter, your best friend, your cheerleader – whatever role you need me to get you through. this program is what I’m willing to do. “
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Cantrell, its staff, program mentors and participants have done things, she said.
It’s not easy to get to know someone through Zoom, so she and her staff have started hosting weekly meetings in a Crown Point park to spend face-to-face time outside of the classroom. hearing.
Graduate Jerzy Dunlap started a family during the program, so Cantrell and her staff watched her baby grow as he attended outdoor gatherings, she said.
“We had to be more innovative,” Cantrell said.
Dunlap, a Navy veteran who joined the program after being charged with operating while intoxicated in Jasper County, said the Veterans Treatment Court was such a positive experience it now hopes to become a mentor for new participants.
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