ICBF gives $5K to Veterans Treatment Court

The Ingham County Bar Foundation presented a $5,000 grant to Friends of the Ingham County Veterans Treatment Court on Nov. 13 during its board meeting. The grant is the largest amount the ICVTC has received since being established in March 2010 as well as the largest amount given by the ICBF. "This grant permits us to continue to assist with the ongoing costs for training and to expand our assistance with expenses of the veterans within that court," said ICVTC Board President Larry Salstrom. The ICVTC is designed to assist veterans from all branches of the military who are currently involved in the criminal justice system. Their overall goal is to deter eligible veteran-defendants from a traditional court process and instead place them in a specialized criminal court. The ICVTC also provides a Veteran Mentoring Program which matches a veteran-defendant with a veteran mentor who will provide guidance during the court process while guiding and supporting the defendant through other treatment programs if needed. They have served approximately 150 veterans to date. The ICBF was established in 2002 for Michigan lawyers and other interested citizens to be able to make charitable contributions that provide meaningful benefits for the community. This particular grant amount was raised during the 10th Annual Memorial Golf Classic held this past summer. Previous grant funds from the ICBF paid a January 2014 fuel oil bill for a veteran without home heat and has assisted with numerous other emergency or unpaid bills for indigent veteran-defendants. This grant will be instrumental in funding the weekly Veterans' Support Group for veterans before the court. Published: Thu, Nov 20, 2014