On Tuesday, Dallas County Court Services held a graduation ceremony for eight people who have successfully completed the court referral program designed to keep people out of jail for first-time drug or alcohol charges.

Judge Robert Armstrong’s courtroom was festively decorated for the event, which drew a large crowd including prominent local leaders from the Selma City Council, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, the local court system and more.

After a short video and introduction, Selma City Councilwoman Susan Youngblood began her comments by reciting the Serenity Prayer and focusing on the call to change the things that can be changed and not fret over those things that can’t be changed.

“Coming into this courtroom is like coming home for me,” Youngblood said, noting that much of her early career took place in various courtrooms. “It’s like seeing an old friend.”

Youngblood told the graduates that there would be times that they would become frustrated or overwhelmed and that such feelings are not unique.

“We have to work together and embrace each other,” Youngblood said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina Vann also spoke, reminding the graduates that they would have gone before a prosecutor like her had they not opted to change their lives through the court referral program.

“Life is unpredictable and there are challenges for you around every corner,” Vann said to the graduates. “Today you have chosen to learn from your mistakes. Go slow, because it doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.”

Administrative Office of Courts Director Dr. Rich Hopson was excited to be in attendance.

“This is a good day,” Hopson said.

Hopson talked about “rock bottom” and how arriving at such a position is different for each person.

“The thing that got you here could be your rock bottom if you let it,” Hopson said. “This is the beginning of so many wonderful things. This is a life changer.”

Brian Forster, Law Enforcement Program Supervisor for the Alabama Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs (ADECA), also addressed the crowd and recalled meeting with Miah Jackson, Executive Director of Dallas County Court Services, three years ago about funding a court referral program in the area.

Forster said that, at first, he was skeptical of the idea but has seen its impact in the area and how the program has thrived.

“We all face challenges on a daily basis,” Forster said to the graduates. “Make this day that step in the right direction.”

The keynote speaker for the event was Rev. Yeasive Ware of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Auburn who related to the graduates by discussing his own earlier problems with substance abuse, which led him to be arrested and go through the court system.

Ware, who grew up surrounded by alcohol and drugs, was charged with a DUI six years ago and received a second one the day before he began going through the program.

“My history was that it was around me at all times,” Ware said. “And it followed me wherever I went.”

Ware switched colleges because of his alcohol problems, a move he said caused him to lose a golden opportunity at furthering his athletic ambitions, and even changed jobs to no avail.

“I didn’t learn,” Ware said. “I had to cut back with some of that stuff. That’s what the court referral program taught me.”

Ware got clean and was called to be a pastor – today, many of his old friends hold him up as a role model.

“I take nothing for granted…because I’ve been there,” Ware said. “Is it a struggle? Yes, every day. It is about choices. So, what will you do next.”