The Friends of the Veterans Treatment host their annual fund raiser, July 19, at Pine Knob Golf Course. Last year, they raised over $100,000.
Those who wish to participate can have fun playing golf, sponsoring a hole or being one of the major program sponsors, said Pat Kittle, Independence Township supervisor and supporter of the program.
‘We all know someone, be it a neighbor, a friend or a family member who served proudly in the U.S. military and who is struggling to adjust to civilian life. Someone who is hooked on some coping mechanism to help block the horrors of war,? Kittle explained.
His son David Kittle is the reason Pat serves on the Veteran’s Treatment Court Board of Directors
‘I am asking for your help,? he said. ‘Help prevent another parent from losing a veteran son or daughter.?
David served in the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division in Iraq and Afghanistan for over five years.
He was discharged from the Army in 2008 with a 100 percent service related disability. When he came home he faced severe depression and post traumatic stress disorder.
‘In 2013, David took his life after a five year struggle battling his demons,? Pat said.
If the VTC was available when David was in need, perhaps it would have made all the difference, he added.
Friends of the Oakland County Regional Veterans’ Court helps soldiers who come home with physical, mental, and/or emotional injuries who may not know where to turn for help, instead turning to substance abuse and getting in trouble with the law. Participants in the program are not violent offenders.
‘There are thousands of Michigan veterans out there struggling just like this every day,? Pat Kittle said.
‘That’s why the North Oakland County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was formed. The VTC helps these at-risk veterans; concentrate on treatment, create a structured care plan and focus their efforts on changing their lifestyle.?
Volunteer mentors, social workers, VA counselors and therapists are part of the team. District judges Jodi Debbrecht Switalski and Kelley Kostin created the court to help serve the men and women now need help after they have served their county in some of the most horrible situations imaginable.
Kittle was asked by Kostin to serve on the board of directors after becoming aware of David’s story.
North Oakland County Veterans Treatment Court is anon-profit organization serving veterans in Independence and other northern Oakland county communities.
Kittle said what makes the court so successful is all the people who care so deeply to make a difference.
“Each and every person involved do it free,” he said. “The volunteers, the mentors (all veterans), judges, counselors, attorneys, social workers and board of directors. Not one penny of donations goes for any salaries.?
Every dollar raised is spent providing services to the vets, he said.
Administrative costs for the program are funded with state grants and in the budgets of local or county budgets.
Funding the court saves lives and money, Kittle insists.
‘The value proposition of the Veterans Treatment Court is in the results,” he said. “The VTC has had great success with lower recidivism rates, lower incarceration costs, a growing family of program graduates who want to volunteer as a way of giving back to their brothers in arms and most importantly, our veteran sons and daughters who have turned their life around.?
The Veteran’s Treatment Court’s 5th Annual LaLonde Charity Open at Golf Course will be at Pine Knob at 5580 Waldon Road in Clarkston.
For more information on the golf outing visit visit www.LaLondeCharityOpen.com