The Veterans Treatment Court of the Second Judicial District of Wisconsin is looking for volunteer peer mentors to help provide an individualized support system for veterans going through the court.
Peer mentors are intended to be a guiding influence, a shoulder to lean on, and a buddy who can relate to the unique experiences gained through military service.
Mentors must:
- Be a veteran
- Be stable, without current criminal offenses
- Be free from drug/alcohol addiction
- Undergo mentoring training
- Be non-judgmental
- Be confidential
- Be willing to serve at least 12 months as a mentor
- Be willing to contact a mentee at least twice a week
Mentors are asked to reinforce the mentees’ commitment to the court and reinforce military bearing in the courtroom and with the Veterans Treatment Court team. Mentors are asked not to be a counselor, to order participants around, or to contradict the court team’s recommendations and rulings.
The mission of the Veterans Treatment Court is to honor veterans by restoring them to a public life by providing judicial support, treatment and supervision, thereby enhancing public safety.
“The American people recognize the importance of Veterans Treatment Courts and the issues faced by many veterans, especially those returning home from combat,” said Ali Nelson, director of the Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services. “As a Navy veteran with almost 29 years of service, I am convinced that the Second Judicial District of Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court is equipped to handle the special needs and circumstances of our veterans involved in the criminal justice system. I ask for your support and assistance to become a volunteer mentor for the court.”
The court serves the Second Judicial District, which includes Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties.
To be eligible for the court, defendants must be diagnosed with a substance abuse or treatable mental health disorder, have a pending misdemeanor- or felony-level offense and be approved by the district attorney’s office from which the charges originated.
For more information about serving as a mentor, please contact Kenosha County Veterans Benefit Specialist Oscar Rodriguez at 262-605-6690 or Oscar.Rodriguez@kenoshacounty.org.
More information about the Veterans Treatment Court is available at https://racinecounty.com/government/clerk-of-circuit-court/veterans-treatment-court.