Family Drug Court hosts online video graduation ceremony

Though they couldn't pack a courtroom to support her, more than 50 people logged into a web conference to take part in a graduation ceremony for a client of the Lorain County Domestic Relations Family Drug Court program Wednesday. At least 57 people were logged in Wednesday afternoon to watch Miss T (not her real name) earn a certification of completion and celebrate her graduation from the program. The graduate and her family attended in person in Domestic Relations Judge Sherry Glass' courtroom, but maintained 6 feet of social distance throughout, the judge said. The courts have come up with rules and technology-based solutions to not having more than 10 people together in one place at one time during the COVID-19 crisis. Glass said Miss T was the first graduate of 2020 — the 20th year of Family Drug Court's existence — and the court "wasn't going to let COVID-19 slow us down." "We were not going to let your progress slow down," Glass said. "We are here to celebrate you and celebrate your accomplishments. Thank you for being here and we hope you are remaining happy, healthy and at home." The court helps mothers and fathers who are battling addiction issues and works to reunite them with their children in a safe and sober environment. Multiple mental health, counseling and advocacy agencies work with the clients. Miss T "overcame and conquered" her addiction on her second go-round with the court, Glass and Kerns said. She attended three recovery meetings per week, got a job and now has her own residence, visited "consistently and constantly" with her four children and has now been reunited with them full-time. "The first time, you were not as successful, but you didn't give up," Glass told Miss T. "You are a strong woman, you came back, asked to participate again and you didn't look back. You looked forward and conquered it." Miss T received flowers and gifts from court personnel, whom Glass said wanted to "praise you for all your accomplishments." "We know that you have had to fight for your life and a life with your children every single day. Not every other day or for a weekend, but every single day," Glass said. The word court personnel chose to represent Miss T on her journey was "strength," the judge said, continuing a 20-year tradition of choosing a single word to represent graduates. "You have shown that you are one of the most strongest women I have ever met," Glass said. "I applaud all your accomplishments." The judge then gave an "air hug," an "air high-five" and an "air fist bump." "Thank you for not giving up on me, and for encouraging me to move forward," Miss T told the judge. Partner agencies involved in Family Drug Court include Lorain County Children Services, The LCADA Way, the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office, the YWCA and Faith House. Family Drug Court coordinator Jennifer Kerns said Miss T worked even harder the second time through the program, during which she gave birth to a child free of addiction or any substances. She attended treatment, used the support of the program team and "asked for help when you needed it." "You didn't like it, but you did it," Kerns said. "It is very hard work. It's hard work (to ask for help) for people not battling addiction, but for people battling addiction it's 10 times worse. You stuck with us and we stuck with you." Glass said it was for health and safety that the Zoom web-based conferencing platform was used to keep the courts operating and open throughout the global pandemic. "We have to stay optimistic and creative to continue to safely celebrate important milestones and accomplishments in the lives of the families that come before the court," she said. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com. Follow him @daveobrienCT on Twitter.