‘Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving this lady a chance’: Problem-Solving Court honors graduates

QUINCY — It’s rare for each person in a courtroom to be smiling, but Courtroom 2A at Adams County Courthouse was filled Thursday morning with jubilant hoots, hollers and whoops.

“This is always the best time of the year,”  RISE Court probation officer Justin Brock said.

Problem-Solving Court is a type of probation that people charged with a crime or their lawyers can request. Established in 2006, it is far more intensive than regular probation, requiring sobriety through random drug tests, participation in classes and support groups and immense motivation.

Problem-Solving Court does exactly what its name says: solving problems and putting citizens back on the right track.

“I just want to say thank you to Mental Health Court for saving my life,” said graduate Jenna Miller, keeping her remarks brief and powerful.

Seven graduates were honored from Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and RISE Court (an acronym standing for Reinforcing behaviors, Individualized case plans, Skill-building and Engagement).

“I thought for sure that I was going to go to prison, because I thought the whole court system was tired of dealing with me because I was tired of dealing with me,” graduate Erin Goodwin said. “They sent me to jail, and I was able to get sober and clear-headed and realize everything that drugs were doing in my life.”

Relationships and trust are a big part of the program. Spectators of past graduates, current members of the program, family and friends filled the courtroom benches and stood in the back of the room.

“They were so patient with me. They’ve gotten me back in contact with my family. My kids are proud of me. I’m doing better now after my addiction than I ever did before,” Goodwin said.

Kayli Sparks was the final graduate to be recognized during the ceremony. The room erupted into applause and cheering as she approached the podium.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving this lady a chance,” she said.

Since joining the program, Sparks has completed inpatient and outpatient treatment, remained compliant on her probation, reconnected with family, found a job she loves at Texas Roadhouse and already has received a promotion.

Sparks credits the community with helping her succeed.

“I don’t even know how I’ve made it (before this) without them,” she said, “I’ve just built such a huge relationship with everybody, and they’re all always willing to help.”

The other graduates were:

• Tamra Roberts
• Antwyon Bias
• Rodney Belden
• Gary Toolate

Annie C. Reller is a Seattle native and a recent Stanford graduate working as an intern for Muddy River News this spring.