The Path Forward Luncheon was a Success!

Each year, the Thanksgiving holiday focuses my thoughts on what I am most grateful for. As always, I’m thankful for my family and friends first and foremost. But I am also incredibly grateful for my job of running Justice Forward, and for the amazing folks who support our mission every year.

It is in the spirit of this gratitude, that I write this blog on our recent fundraiser. Our Board of Directors wanted to go in a new direction this year, so we decided to host a luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club. Our fundraising committee, led by the industrious and creative Jill Williams, got to work on a theme and decorations. We landed on The Path Forward because it is our ultimate mission to ensure that participants and graduates of Specialty Court programs do have a path forward in achieving the lives they want to live.

With the generosity of our steadfast sponsors, we were able to decorate the tables beautifully (flowers by HEB) and arrange for a wonderful fall-inspired lunch for our guests. Two of our Board members, Dr. Kathy Flanagan and Cathryn Martinez agreed to co-chair the event, and what a fantastic job they did! We honored as our Champion Khambrel Marshall and Treebeards restaurant as our Community Partner. Melanie Lawson agreed to be our emcee for the event. 

 The heart of our program was the two graduates who agreed to share their stories. Monica Golla riveted the audience with her tale of years of substance use disorder culminating in the arrest that saved her life. With the assistance of Justice Forward, she was able to attain her educational goal of a master’s degree.

We also heard from Will Whittington who spoke about being unable to secure safe housing for him and his wife due to his criminal history. Thanks to Justice Forward, Will was able to take advantage of the Texas law that allows Specialty Court graduates to petition the court to hide eligible prior cases from potential housing providers. Now he and his bride are in the home of their dreams and expecting their first child.

So it is with extreme gratitude, that I thank our wonderful Board of Directors, our generous sponsors, the Justice Forward team, Mary Covington and Leah Dozier, and all who attended the Path Forward. Because of all of you, Justice Forward will be able to make the world a better place, one graduate at a time.