All posts tagged: First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court

Grace and Grit – March ’23 Recovery Court Graduation

Life-changing. Miraculous. Empowering.

These three words were chosen by Danny, Jerry, and Tabitha to describe their time in the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court program.

Last night, we gathered to congratulate our most recent graduates and celebrate their hard work and achievements. Since 2017, 28 people have completed the recovery court program, and now Danny, Jerry, and Tabitha can be counted among those who have walked alongside their peers in recovery.

FJDFRC Team members Judge Lisa Rice and Judge Stacy Street commended the graduates and thanked them for their hard work. “This group is phenomenal. I think they are some of the best we have ever had. We are grateful, thankful, and proud of you. We are so excited for this group,” Judge Rice said.

“Grace and grit are what it takes to succeed in the program. Grit comes from the hard work you must put in and is present every single day. But there’s a point that you reach before grace and grit. Before you can do that in the program, a relationship, or your job – you have to surrender. You have to surrender to recovery and trust the team. Our graduates realize that’s the only way they are going to succeed. That’s where the grit comes in and what gets you grace.” Judge Street said.

These three have shown exceptional determination and strength, and the FJDFRC team is immensely proud of their accomplishments. We are excited about their futures and the positive impact they will make in their communities. #LoveRestores

Thanks again to Judge Rice, Judge Street, and Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby for speaking at last night’s ceremony. We loved seeing family, friends, current and past program participants, and members of the First Judicial Felony Recovery Court team come out to support the graduates and honor them on this occasion.

Sam Buchanan of ColorWorks and Andy Wilson of Mapes Piano String Company were in attendance last night, and we wanted to echo Judge Rice’s gratitude for these businesses. They ensure employment with benefits for those in our program, and they also accommodate recovery schedules. This understanding helps ensure they have time to attend classes, stay active in support groups, and maintain a solid foundation for their recovery.

*Programs partially funded by the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS)

March 9, 2023 Meredith Success Stories

Recovery Court Graduation – December 2022

When asked, “How do you grow up to have that type of career?” Professional Football Player Jason Witten’s answer is always the same: “The secret is in the dirt. I was never the most talented, never the flashiest, I relied on grit.”

Witten’s speech was referenced during our latest Recovery Court graduation for honoree Kevin Woodby. The theme of the ceremony, “Grace and Grit,” is one that resonates with both our recovery court team and past and present program participants that were in attendance. It takes grace and grit to engage with the program and to take the necessary steps toward recovery and restoration.

Our team congratulates Kevin Woodby on his hard work in the Recovery Court program, and we all look forward to seeing how he grows and impacts our community. We also want to thank speakers Judge Lisa Rice, Judge Stacy Street, Rep. Tim Hicks, Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby, and Kevin’s brother Lee Woodby for their support. #LoveRestores

*Programs partially funded by the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS)

December 20, 2022 Meredith Success Stories

Recovery Court Graduation – August 2022

Families Free is honored to co-host the combined graduation of two individuals from the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court and six individuals from the Washington County Misdemeanor Court.

It was also our pleasure to take part in the retirement celebration of Judge Don Arnold and to honor the positive impact he’s had on our region. Judge Arnold started the first recovery court in Washington County, and he leaves behind an indelible legacy.

Congratulations Matt, Kate, Tony, Rich, Morgan, and Stephen! We look forward to your bright futures. #LoveRestores

August 11, 2022 Meredith News

Congratulations Tabatha!

Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed May 2022 as Recovery Court Month, and the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court and Families Free want to take this opportunity to celebrate by recognizing one of our alumni. We want to congratulate Tabatha Fatolitis on graduating from Northeast State Community College with her Associates in Behavioral and Social Science. We are so proud of her accomplishments and look forward to her amazing future. #LoveRestores

May 13, 2022 Meredith Success Stories

“Love and justice go together. Justice without love can be brutal, and love without justice can be banal. Love is the heart of justice, and justice is the social form of love.” – Richard Rohr.

We shared with you earlier this month that the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court was named one of 10 national mentor treatment courts by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. We are still very grateful for this honor! #LoveRestores

Thank you to WJHL for featuring this recognition and our hopes to expand FJDFRC’s treatment program. Click here to view their coverage of our honor.

*Families Free is a licensed outpatient/co-occurring treatment center through the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS).

March 24, 2022 Meredith News

FJDFRC Named National Drug Court Mentor Court

The First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court was named a national adult drug court mentor court by the NADCP National Association of Drug Court Professionals! The FJDFRC provides evidence-based holistic treatment for individuals involved with the criminal justice system rooted in substance use. This treatment includes intensive outpatient services, gender-specific trauma groups for males/females, outpatient groups/individuals, parenting education, and family therapy. The NADCP mentor courts host teams from other jurisdictions for observation and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. We are honored to be one of ten adult drug courts chosen to advance the valuable work of recovery courts. #LoveRestores

March 11, 2022 Meredith News

Congratulations March Recovery Court Graduates

We want to congratulate the six graduates from the combined First and Second Judicial District Felony Recovery Courts and Washington County Misdemeanor Recovery Court graduation! We enjoyed celebrating their hard work, and Families Free wants to extend a sincere thanks to all the community partners for showing their support. #LoveRestores

March 10, 2022 Meredith Success Stories

Congratulations November Recovery Graduates!

This past Tuesday, November 30th, we had the great privilege of honoring our First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court graduates Kelsey, Savannah, Ira, and Matthew. Rep. Tim Hicks was our keynote speaker for the ceremony, and we enjoyed music by Matthew Owen. It’s always a joyful time when we get to celebrate this important milestone for our graduates. We know their futures are full of hope and look forward to seeing them flourish. #LoveRestores

Families Free is a licensed outpatient/co-occurring treatment center through the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS).

December 3, 2021 Meredith Success Stories

Celebrating Our Recovery Court Graduates

Often it’s the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self. – Karen Salmansohn

There are a great many things that seem uncertain. That’s why Families Free believes that now more than ever we need to highlight the good and champion positive outcomes. We want to celebrate the graduation of Danny, TK, and Nena from the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court program.

On Wednesday, March 4th, our graduates were honored by members of the Families Free and First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court teams, as family, friends, and current program participants gathered together to congratulate them on their hard work and achievements.

Graduates Danny Hawks, Nena Thrift, and Torry “TK” Kelly

We want to thank Keynote Speaker Tim Hicks, Judge Lisa Rice, and Judge Stacy Street for speaking during the graduation ceremony. We also want to thank the other members of the FJDFRC team, which include additional recovery agencies, judges, law enforcement members, district attorneys, and public defenders who work to ensure the success of the participants. We are excited to see how Danny, TK, and Nena continue to make strides in their recovery and bring about positive change within their own families and our community as a whole. #LoveRestores

The First Judicial Recovery Court program is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

March 23, 2020 Meredith Success Stories

2019 Recovery Court Graduation

“It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness …”

On Tuesday, November 26th, Chris and Kristin were honored by members of the Families Free and First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court teams during our second annual Recovery Court Graduation. Along with current program participants, family, and friends, we all gathered together to celebrate their hard work and success.

The First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court provides alternatives to jail time, such as counseling, curriculum, and access to several opportunities that are designed to support their sobriety. It’s an important tool for those who need help staying out of the cycle of jail time, being released, and then returning.

Through this opportunity, both Kristin and Chris completed the five phases of the program and met personal goals along the way. Kristin maintained two jobs during her time in our program, bought a vehicle, has been sober since July of 2018, and she’s investing in her future by attending classes at Northeast State.

Chris has been sober since October of 2017, completed the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court, had his license reinstated, and he continues to support his success through our program by securing safe and sober housing. Both graduates have displayed perseverance in achieving goal after goal, and in combination with their hard work, the accomplishment of completing the Recovery Court program serves as an inspiration to not only their fellow participants but also every person they meet.

Joshua Rice shares a poem he had written honoring a friend he had lost due to a substance abuse disorder

Rachel Roden – Felony Recovery Court Coordinator

Graduate Chris Hagy with Judge Stacy Street

Graduate Kristin Nelms and Judge Lisa Rice

Jason Abernathy and Brian Bowman (who performed at the graduation), Judge Lisa Rice, Families Free Executive Director Lisa Tipton, and Clinical Director Robin Ledford

The FJDFRC team and participants invited community members to join us in lighting a candle to join in the work we are doing in the area.

We want to once again congratulate our 2019 graduates, and our team looks forward to seeing how Chris and Kristin continue to bring about positive change not only for themselves but for our community as well. #LoveRestores

We want to extend a special thank you to Judge Stacy Street, Judge Lisa Rice, Joshua Rice, Jason Abernathy, and Brian Bowman for speaking and performing during the graduation ceremony. We also want to thank the other members of the FJDFRC team which include additional recovery agencies, judges, law enforcement members, district attorneys, and public defenders who work to ensure the success of the participants.