Veteran Mentors Needed!

The mission of the Buncombe County Veteran’s Treatment Court is to promote public safety through accountability and responsibility, and to assist and support Veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among the court and community-based Veteran services –

thereby leaving no Veteran behind.

Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) of Buncombe County is looking for mentors for participating Veterans. At the present time, 27 Veterans are in the VTC which includes two women Veterans.

What is a Veterans Treatment Court (VTC):

A Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) provides Veterans facing criminal charges an alternative to incarceration by integrating alcohol/ drug treatment and mental health services with justice system case processing. Instead of a traditional court system, VTCs use a team-based approach that includes the judge, prosecuting and defense attorneys, probation officer, Veteran mentors, treatment providers and others within the justice system, Veterans Administration (VA) and the community. The team works together to support the Veteran on their journey to recovery from addiction, serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders.

What is a Mentor?

Veteran mentors are volunteers who provide support by engaging, encouraging and empowering the participant as they move through the Veteran’s treatment court program.

Each mentor is assigned a participant and meets with this same participant throughout their time in the program unless a concern arises that requires a change in mentors. Building a consistent relationship allows the participants to trust the mentor.

Mentors act as a coach, a guide, a role model and an advocate for the participant. They listen to the concerns and problems of participants and assist them in finding solutions, not by

fixing it themselves, but by working together to set goals and action plans. Mentors provide supportive feedback to participants and highlight their successes. This relationship lasts for the duration of the 18-month VTC program.

Requirements:

-Must be a Veteran

-Must be willing to attend VTC Court once a month (virtually during a pandemic)

-Must be willing to make weekly telephone contact with your assigned Veteran

-Must maintain confidentiality standards

-Must serve as an example to the Veterans, promoting honor, dignity, and courage

For more information on the VTC and the Mentor Program, Mentor requirements and to apply to become a Mentor, please contact:

the VTC mentor coordinator Allan Singer, awsinger44@gmail.com.