Dakota County Veteran Peer Mentor

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General Description

The Veteran Peer Mentor Volunteer serves as a mentor to veterans who are participating in the Carver-Dakota Veterans Treatment Court. The Veterans Treatment Court is a treatment/recovery court that provides a treatment option to veterans who are engaged in the justice system in lieu of serving time in jail.

Veterans Treatment Court participants commit to a rigorous year-long court-ordered treatment program. Upon entry into the program, participants are assigned a volunteer peer mentor. Mentors are an integral component to the VTC as their mission is to engage, empower, and encourage veteran participants to their full potential. The mentor advocates, guides, and provides peer support to the veteran as they participate in the program ensuring they receive the support and services needed to be successful and to graduate. 

Location

Dakota County Western Service Center

14955 Galaxie Avenue

Apple Valley, MN 55124

Date/Time

Flexible. Mentors are highly encouraged to attend court with their mentees. Court is held during the second and fourth Mondays of the month beginning at 1:30 PM, unless otherwise noted. During non-court meetings, mentors and mentees can set their own schedule to meet occasionally as desired.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted coach, guide, role model, advocate and a source of support for the veteran participant with whom the mentor is working with through the court system.
• Assist the veteran participant in setting personal goals and help connect them with community resources that will help the participant in their treatment, recovery, and readjustment efforts.
• Establish and maintain frequent communication with assigned veteran participant to provide on-going support and encouragement.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and help the veteran participant to do the same.
• Be a willing and active listener.
• Attend scheduled court hearings when possible with assigned veteran participant.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must have served in the United States Military
• Not currently engaged in the criminal justice system
• Complete a background check with Dakota County
• Must have a passion to support and serve fellow veterans in need

Minimum Time Commitment

Our volunteers usually spend about 4 - 6 hours volunteering per month. We want our volunteers to experience the whole process of this program and so we prefer them to commit to at least one year or for the full duration of your mentee’s participation in the VTC. This could vary depending on the participants rate of progress.

Activity Level

Mild - May include walking short distances over relatively level terrain. Periods of standing or sitting will be required. Comfortable shoes recommended.

Required Training

Veteran Peer Mentor Volunteers will participate in a free self-paced online training program offered by the All-Rise/Justice for Vets website.  Volunteers will also remotely complete a Dakota County facilitated orientation and will meet on a quarterly basis for one hour to connect with other volunteers for Q & A and review best practices.

Contact Information

Neil Hetherington

Dakota County Veterans Services

Email: neil.hetherington@co.dakota.mn.us

Phone: 651-554-5950

Cell: 612-816-9076