It was a full house in the multi-purpose room of the Kosciusko County Justice Building Friday morning.
The Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program held a graduation ceremony for ten individuals graduating from the program after four months of multiple classes and counseling hours five days a week.
Sheriff Kyle Dukes began the program thanking everyone involved in the JCAP program that volunteered their time to work with the individuals. He also went on to thank one of the individuals, (name), who Dukes said was a leader for the entire group and kept them all on track.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer spoke briefly spoke of his experiences meeting the JCAP group. “I was very honored to get to see what these individuals were going through, and the commitment they have.” Thallemer also expressed his gratitude toward those who were involved with the boys.
Dukes made comments to the boys, “Men, life’s tough. Fall back on your training. When things get tough, you can fall back on us. Always remember what you did here, and when you need it, fall back on your training. We have your backs.”
Kosciusko County is one of three counties in the state of Indiana that runs a JCAP program, with the other two being Montgomery and Dearborn counties. Dukes commended Program Coordinator Courtney Jenkins on her work with the program. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.” Dukes to the Warsaw City Council and Mayor Thallemer, “Thank you for giving me (Courtney).”
Community organizations made individual presentations during the ceremony that were involved with the JCAP program, including The Bowen Center, The Beaman Home, Kosciusko County Purdue Extension Office, Warsaw Community Schools Adult Education, Lake City Bank, New Life Christian Church and World Outreach, True Purpose Ministries, Fellowship Missions, Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition, Before5.org, Kosciusko County Human Resource Association, A Bridge to Hope, Haymaker Fitness, and SMART Recovery.
A couple of the graduates spoke after the individual presentations, thanking Jenkins and Sheriff Dukes for all the time and commitment they dedicated to the group. Each graduate then gave a white rose to Jenkins.
