Americanism: Help for Veterans Comes in Many Forms

A Buffalo, New York bank helps to set the stage for some alternatives to aid veterans. Americanism values in our own home towns can make a huge impact in the lives of veterans and their families. The country has done a great job of honoring recent veterans but we must also reach out and support their return to society and a productive future as they re-integrate into civilian life.

Back in 2008 a Buffalo City court judge, Robert T. Russell Jr., launched the first ever Veterans Treatment Court. This was one of the very first efforts to support and rehabilitate veterans, rather than incarcerate them.

Large numbers of veterans have been returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of them experience problems re-entering civilian life after nightmarish experiences in the Middle East. This Veterans Treatment Court links veterans to support and treatment resources, including substance abuse, mental health services, academic aid, vocational skills improvement, housing assistance and even job placement services here in Western New York.

Many of these services are paid for through existing governmental agencies but many veteran participants dropped out due to the cost of transportation to and from various sites. For the past two years the Buffalo based, M&T Bank, has supported the program by funding to help out with this very specific need that is not covered by any other entity.

The cost to the taxpayer for the incarceration of a person runs about $32,000 a year. Treatment through this new Veterans Court runs less than $7,000. This investment is certainly worthwhile. Ninety percent (90%) of the veterans participating have completed the Buffalo program without a single case of recidivism. From this initial effort over 95 similar courts have been set up across the country where veterans are often given a second chance to become a productive members of society once again.

Gregg “Doc” Gibbs – Americanism Chairman

Judge Robert T. Russell Jr. M & T Bank – Buffalo New York