VTC Celebrates 11 Graduates
The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court celebrated the 4th of July early with 11 clients graduating from the Veterans Treatment Court Docket on Thursday, July 2nd.
VTC Presiding Judge Andrew J. Santoli told the graduates it’s fitting that we hold the ceremony before a patriotic holiday because we also thank them for their service to the United States. The graduates included seven Army veterans, two Marines, and one each from the Navy and National Guard.
Approved by the Bench in 2015, the mission of the VTC is to rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system. The program involves a treatment team comprised of the Court, the Veterans Administration, community treatment providers, the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Public Defender.
Keynote speaker and VTC Mentor Nicole Andrako reminded the crowd gathered in the atrium of the historic old courthouse that, “Addiction is the only disease you pay for, but the cure is free.”
Special guests included retired VTC Judge Michael E. Jackson, who presided over the first session in 2015, and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne.
This was also the final graduation ceremony for VTC Probation Officer Stephanie Gilliams, who has accepted a new position the Veterans Service Commission.
More than 250 veterans have successfully completed the VTC program and about 55 veterans are currently participating.
