VETERANS TREATMENT COURT: SERVING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED US  

Pete, a 36-year-old Army veteran, lost his job due to COVD-19. Then, he lost his home. Pete stayed with friends, but it was a temporary situation, and soon he was living in an abandoned home with no water or utilities.  

A vagrancy charge brought him to United Way’s Veterans Treatment Court*, a voluntary program for veterans charged with misdemeanors. The program provides area veterans the help they need to get back on their feet and become self-sufficient rather than serve jail time.  

Through the program, Pete was partnered with a case manager who was an Army veteran himself. Working with United Way community partners, our case manager got Pete into a new home within two days. Pete was provided food, as well as household and personal care items. The program covered the cost of his phone and gave him a donated computer to stay connected with his case manager and mental health professionals for ongoing support. 

“Having someone there to work through those obstacles and be supportive goes a long way to managing these difficulties and overcoming the despair that comes with them,” our case manager said.   

“I’m proud to be able to work for an organization that mobilizes so quickly to help our most vulnerable make it through a crisis.”   

*The Veterans Treatment Court is a collaboration with the Honorable Judge Weinstein and the Baltimore City District Court.