A program aimed at helping veterans stuck in the legal system is looking for some help.
Shelby County Veterans Court is a specialty court that provides treatment and services for veterans who have been arrested and may be struggling with substance abuse or mental issues.
Court leaders are looking for fellow veterans to volunteer their time as mentors to assist those in the program.
The next mentor training session is on Saturday, March 10th. The training is a vital part of the program as mentors play a major role in getting veterans back on their feet.
“What we try and do is to get them to a point where we, as a group, where our entire court feels comfortable that this person is ready to go back where they we before they were arrested and hopefully live the same life that we’re entitled to live,” says Judge Bill Anderson with the Shelby County Veterans Court.
Only about 5% of veterans who complete the program get arrested again in Shelby County. Judge Anderson credits the mentors for the high success rate of the court.
If you are a veteran interested in becoming a mentor, you can call the Shelby County Veterans Court at 901-258-5151 or email them at llatham@memphisalumni.org.
The next training session will be held in the Veterans Court at 201 Poplar on March 10th starting at 9:00 a.m.
