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Veterans Treatment Courts on The Liberty Coast
Imagine you are sitting on a blue bench in a park near the St. Johns River. There is a man next to you. He is telling you about how his life has changed, gotten lighter. You smile as you look out at the water. He tells you he has hope and even looks forward to the future. He still has bad days— don’t we all?—but he has so many more good days than he did just last year.
“I couldn’t have done this without you,” he says. You feel a little embarrassed by this overt appreciation but also honored because you know there is truth in his statement. You have had quite the year together. In fact, today you are celebrating his graduation. Tomorrow, though, you will be ready to mentor another Veteran through the Veteran Treatment Court (VTC). The feelings of pride and accomplishment for this man (and yourself!) are too great to pass up, given the opportunity to mentor again.
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VTCs on The Liberty Coast have been instrumental in improving the lives and futures of many Veterans, but they need your help. These specialty courts offer a treatment-based, holistic approach focused on the specific needs of Veterans and Servicemembers arrested for certain non-violent felonies and misdemeanors. Mentors are an essential aspect of the program; every participant receives a Veteran mentor who serves as a source of information and support throughout their journey, the average length of which is 12-14 months.
Be a mentor. Call your local mentor coordinator to get started.
Baker and Bradford Counties Mentor Coordinator: Jim Yakubsin, (352) 222-8837, YakMarine@Aol.Com
Clay County Mentor Coordinator: Kim Biddle, (904) 476-0392 HisNewCreation2005@Gmail.Com
Duval County Senior Mentor: David Abramowitz, (770) 688-5847, David.J.Abramowitz@Gmail.Com
Nassau County Mentor Coordinators: John Martin, (904) 261-9015, Beach261@Bellsouth.Net, Bob Sullivan, (904)548-4670, BSullivan@NassauClerk.Com
St. Johns County Mentor Coordinator: John Leslie, (904) 233-4712, John_Leslie15@Yahoo.Com
LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM | NOVEMBER 25, 2020 VOL. 1 / ISSUE 10 | 23
