Polk County Treatment Court Holds Graduations and Receives Donations

BALSAM LAKE, Wisconsin, August, 11, 2022— The Polk County Treatment Court held a graduation ceremony on July 29th at 10:00am. The courtroom was filled with the graduates and their family and friends, the Treatment Court team, and other individuals currently going through the program. Smiles were ever-present, and the feelings of joy and accomplishment could not be overstated.

The ceremony celebrated the graduation of two individuals from the grogram—Christopher Johnson and Sheena Quinn. Judge Daniel Tolan extended his congratulations before handing them their diplomas, praising their accomplishments and motivating those present who are on the path to graduation. “Believe in yourself and your support system, and you can get it done,” was the overall message. It was reiterated in both Johnson and Quinn’s comments; Johnson told those walking the path he did to stick with it and trust in the program, and Quinn shared her initial struggle with the program before blossoming into her own.

The Polk County Treatment Court is a program of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). The mission of the Polk County CJCC is to reduce crime and recidivism in Polk County through programming such as the Treatment Court, which aims to reduce the destructive cycle of substance use and mental health disorders.
CJCC Melissa Fisher, Anna Anderson, and Judge Daniel Tolan pose with Dave King and Pete Berklund

CJCC Coordinator Melissa Fisher and Treatment Court Case Manager Anna Anderson accepted donations on August 9th from the Unity VFW, the Frederic Landmark Masonic Lodge, and the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation. Dave King; Chaplin of the Unity VFW, Pete Berklund; of the Frederic Landmark Masonic Lodge, and Greg Heine, Master of the Frederic Landmark Masonic Lodge, presented the checks.

“The Polk County Treatment Court depends on the support of the community,” said Anderson. “The Masons and VFW have provided donations that will help with incentives for the participants. Incentives and rewards are an important part in changing behavior. We are grateful for their support, generosity and compassion.”

For more information on the CJCC, please visit https://www.co.polk.wi.us/cjcc.