The Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court is seeking volunteer mentors for veterans involved in the court's alternative sentencing program.

The court program is aimed at giving veterans who have committed a crime the opportunity to get their lives back on track. Those who complete the program successfully can have their record expunged, have more serious charges dropped and get a reduced sentence - possibly avoiding incarceration altogether. Program participants may have served in any branch of the U.S. military.

The rigorous program includes four phases, with requirements that participants abstain from alcohol and other drugs, find and maintain a job, participate in community service projects, attend court dates and show up for appointments with their probation officer and other court staff members.

The volunteer mentors must be veterans who are willing to take on a program participant as the participant moves through four phases. Mentoring typically involves attending weekly court sessions; keeping in touch with the mentee by text, phone or personal contact; and serving as a supportive presence.

The Veterans Court is one of three treatment courts that have been established in the Lancaster County court system to give a second chance to offenders who have struggled with the use of alcohol and other drugs or who are struggling with an untreated mental illness. The Veterans Court is administrated by Judge Jeffery D. Wright, and the mentors' involvement gives another layer of support to the participants who commit to the program.

Many of the veteran mentors who are involved are retired or have flexible schedules that permit them to attend weekly court dates and other activities. Volunteers who are people of color or women are especially wanted.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Rich Wilson at 717-466-0978 or look for the table sponsored by the Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court at the upcoming Recovery Day Lancaster on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Buchanan Park, Buchanan and Race avenues, Lancaster.