Transitioning to civilian life can be tough for many veterans. Dante, who had served in the Marine Corps, felt alone and lost as he struggled with legal issues trying to adjust to post-service life. The Central Maryland Regional Veterans Treatment Court offered him a lifeline. This comprehensive program tackles the unique needs of our returning veterans who find themselves facing misdemeanor charges.
Supported by United Way of Central Maryland, the Veterans Treatment Court provides an alternative to jail time for minor offenses—which can impact a veteran’s ability to find a job or housing.
Completely voluntary and tailored to each veteran, this program helps men and women who have served our country rediscover the strength and resiliency they had by providing support for employment, mental health and substance use issues, housing, and more.
Veterans work closely with mentors: fellow veterans who offer guidance on various aspects of life, including health, legal matters, and financial counseling. The support of another veteran who’s been there—and our compassionate team—goes a long way in helping participants overcome their challenges and face civilian life with strength and pride.
For Dante, this support was life-changing. “Yes, I’ve made mistakes, but that doesn’t have to be the defining moment of my life,” he said. He’s seen friends lose their lives simply because they couldn’t find help in time, and he knows he could have been one of them. What made the difference? Someone stepping in, not just offering words of support but taking real action.
“At any point, I could have been one of those people. And then, out of nowhere, somebody says, ‘We have you. We genuinely care. We’re here to help you.’ And they don’t just say it—they do it.”
