EPHRATA — Grant County Community Court celebrated its second graduate, a military veteran who – the first vet in the program – had run into issues with overuse of alcohol and was facing his sixth DUI conviction prior to entering the program.

“This is where the work begins. I don’t have anybody pushing me along or watching over my shoulder or (ordering urinalysis) or anything like that. This is all on me, and it’s up to me to do it.” said Bill, who had completed his Community Court program. 

Bill’s full name is not being used because of the negative impacts it could cause with his employer.

Earlier in Wednesday’s community court proceedings, Bill pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless endangerment and Grant County District Court Judge Brian Gwinn suspended the resulting sentence of a $5,000 fine and 364 days in jail in light of Bill successfully completing the community court program. Community court is a diversion program that involves the court overseeing participants as they work toward sobriety, taking responsibility for their actions and addressing the situations in their lives that push them toward addiction. Often, that includes a sobriety program and mental health treatment to find healthier mechanisms to address traumatic events in their lives. 

Gwinn commended Bill for his dedication to the program, getting sober and staying that way. 

Bill is one of the older people participating in the program, and some people were unsure that an older participant would be able to stick to the regimented structure the program calls for. A Community Court specialist oversees the person on a nearly daily basis, checking in on their progress, and ensuring they get to treatment and legally mandated appointments. Even suggesting court actions to Gwinn based on the participant’s success. 

Community Court Specialist Alma Farias said Bill had requested counseling when she first met with him as he entered the program. She said Bill had shown that he was ready to get the help he needed, he just needed some guidance in getting started. 

“I think, before community court, Bill kind of knew what he needed, he just needed the little push we were providing,” Farias said. 

During the program, Bill completed a lot of hours of substance use treatment and mental health counseling, Farias said. His counselor had positive reports and said Bill was always available to take care of unexpected situations that came up during the course of the program and was proactive and cooperative in getting things done. 

“I did want to point out one of the things he said on his writing assignment for graduation was that he wished he had a program like this decades ago, and he thinks things might have turned out a little differently for him,” Farias said in her final report on his progress. “... But it’s never too late. We’re all proud of you.”

As a veteran graduate, Bill sets an example for other veterans, Gwinn said. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 10% of active duty military members and American veterans have a diagnosed substance use disorder, making current and former service members one of the most at-risk groups when it comes to substance abuse, including alcohol and other substances.

Gwinn’s mother, Alice Gwinn, presented a quilt from the Quilts of Valor Foundation to Bill in honor of his service and the progress he’s made through the program. 

“It’s a civilian lifetime award made by volunteers to honor those who have served in our country’s military,” she said. “It cannot be bought or sold. It is never a gift. A quilt of valor is our thank you for your service and your sacrifice. It comes from the heart and hands of the makers. Simply stated, our mission is to cover service members and veterans with healing and comforting quilts of valor.” 

Bill said he was grateful for the quilt and all of the other support he’s gotten along the way. He said he feels he’s better equipped to deal with things than when he first started, but was a bit nervous about moving forward without the structure Community Court provides. Still, he knew there would be consequences if he didn’t push to stay on the right track.

“I know that if I try to go back to my old ways, I know where I’m going to wind up being, and that’s the nature of this addiction stuff that sucks,” Bill said. 

Gwinn said he expects three more participants to graduate from the Community Court program in September.

Editor’s Note: Many veterans in the United States face a variety of mental health and substance abuse challenges. After more than two decades of the War on Terror, that need is important. I want to encourage my fellow veterans to seek the help they need. There’s no shame in asking for help. For information on available resources, contact the Veterans Affairs Mental Health hotline at 877-927-8387. If you are considering suicide or know someone who is, please dial 9-8-8 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 

    The pattern on the Quilt of Valor award earned by Bill as a veteran of the U.S. military. The Quilts of Valor Foundation works to provide quilts to comfort veterans and recognize them for their service regardless of branch. Each has a set pattern. This one is known as “The Courthouse Steps” and has Bill’s name and the names of the quilters who made it embroidered onto it.