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Mentors' Mission Statement

The Collier County Veterans Mentor Group Program’s primary goal is to assist Veterans from all branches of the military who are in the Veterans Treatment Court and would likely benefit from having a fellow Veteran with whom they could informally talk and be their friend and ally during this often difficult and challenging time.

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Mentors are also available to work with Veterans not in the court system who could benefit from our varied services or perhaps might just like spending some time with a fellow Vet.  Mentors are available to work with anyone who has served in any branch of the military – including Regular, Reserves, or National Guard regardless of discharge status.

The Mentors Program

The volunteer mentors of this VETERANS HELPING VETERANS program assist fellow Veterans through the Veterans Treatment court process. Veterans in this Court are normally receiving treatment for PTSD, TBI, and/or substance abuse and anger management issues. These affected Veterans have "pled out" of a crime and have agreed to treatment in lieu of incarceration. In addition to assisting the Veteran through the court process, the Mentor and the Veteran may privately discuss life topics and items of common interest.

 

The Mentors in the ‘Veterans Helping Veterans Program’ are not counselors and do not give medical or legal advice nor are they enforcers or court advocates. Typically, a Mentor will have an initial personal meeting with the Veteran to establish a relationship. The visit will be followed by face-to-face meetings and ongoing phone/email contact as appropriate. Although the Mentor is endorsed and supported by the Court, it is important to note Mentors do not report to the Court.

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How Mentors Help

As a Veteran makes their way through the Veterans Treatment Court, we are here to help during the journey.  On their first day in court Veterans will be assigned a mentor.  Within our mentor group we have Veterans who have served from World War II and Vietnam through today.  When a Veteran completes all of the court requirements, the judge presents the Veteran with a “Certificate of Graduation.”  Photo: Court team, Veteran Graduate and Mentor.

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The Veteran is also presented with a commemorative coin depicting the court symbol and the following words on the front and symbols of all branches of the service shown on the back.

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EFFORT
COMMITMENT

SUCCESS

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What Mentors Do

  • Stress compliance with the court “rules”

  • Emphasize this is a second chance and noncompliance has serious consequences

  • Emphasize that honesty to all is of critical importance

  • Be a friend, ally, perhaps coach and build trust through confidentiality

  • Contact regularly-initially at court appearances; follow up calls, texts, and emails

  • Relate as a Vet, but try to find a common interest

  • Meet outside of court as makes sense: coffee, perhaps lunch, Veterans activities, etc

  • Discuss job search process, community service work, and court directed activities

  • Remind (not monitor) veterans of appointments

  • Listen for “needs”

  • Openly communicate, encourage, listen to issues, but bring reality as required

  • Has patience: it may take a long time to build a relationship

  • Relate relevant issues and needs to the Mentor Coordinator, Case Manager and/or VJO

  • Contact case manager/police if made aware of a dangerous situation.

 

What Mentors Don't Do

  • Work VA issues

  • Solve serious financial problems

  • Try to be a counselor

  • Give out personal information

  • Report back to the judge.

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Mentor's Resources

Mentors direct Veterans towards all the resources Collier County has to offer for Veterans and their families.  This includes but is not limited to:

  • Vet Center - group and individual counseling

  • Veteran Service officer - claims, discharge upgrades, etc.

  • Employment and educational resources: VA, CareerSource Southwest Florida, Goodwill, etc.

  • PAWS - service or companion dogs

  • Sporting events - Everblades Hockey and baseball

  • Freedom Waters - fishing trips and cruises

  • Home Base –health and wellness

  • Wounded Warriors – disabilities and general

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Officers:

                                   President and CEO: John McLean       

                                      Vice President and COO: Tom Buckley

                                      Vice President: Bill Dalton
                                      Treasurer: Bob Benbow
                                      Secretary:  Michael McComas

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Address:

10546 Smokehouse Bay Drive  #101 
Naples, FL 34120

Phone:  630.294.5646 

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For more information contact: John McLean or Bill Dalton at veteransmentor@gmail.com

Collier Veterans Mentor Group, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization

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