TAMPA, Fla. — Veterans Day is next weekend, but our courts are celebrating early by holding their annual Veterans Outreach Court. It helps low-income veterans clear up court issues and fees that may be holding them back from being their best selves.
Local veterans sacrificed years of their lives to fight for freedom. For many who return, reintegrating into society has its obstacles.
Garren Adulte is a military veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His license was suspended, but now, he has the chance to get it reinstated.
"They basically wiped a lot of my stuff clean," Adulte said. "So I get a fresh start with my license. You know, I'm saying a fresh start on life. I'm saying I just feel good. I feel really good."
He and dozens of other veterans came to court for a chance at a clean slate. Veterans Outreach Court is an opportunity for low-income veterans to address, reduce or waive active misdemeanor warrants, fines, legal fees, court costs or ordinance violations.
"Veterans are the pillar of our community," 13th Judicial Circuit Judge Daryl Manning said. "They're the backbone, they have served our country. They continue to serve in various ways. And this is our chance to get back to them."
Manning is encouraging veterans interested in applying to be a part of this program to go ahead and do so now for next year's event. While this event is just one day out of the year, there are resources available for Hillsborough County veterans 365 days a year.
Those resources include access to free legal advice through Bay Area Legal Services, a program to clear code violations by offering vets help on home and property improvements through Operation Code Vet, and help veterans involved in the criminal justice system who are suffering from substance abuse and/or mental health disorders through Veterans Treatment Court.
An event happening this weekend for veterans is active-duty personnel is being hosted by Hillsborough Community College (HCC). The 11th annual Veterans Entrepreneurship Training Symposium will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 4 at the Dale Mabry Campus in the DSTU building.
Spouses, civilian business partners and the public are welcome to attend. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. To register and for more event information, please visit eventbrite.com/veterans-symposium.
Malique Rankin is a general assignment reporter with 10 Tampa Bay. You can email her story ideas at mrankin@10tampabay.com and follow her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.