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HONOR COURT CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
TROY RECORD - 4/7/2008
ALBANY — It was an emotional morning in the Albany Police Court Saturday as a number of area judges, elected officials, clients, and program directors gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Honor Court, a rehabilitation agency focused on changing the lives of young men and women accused of alcohol and drug-related crimes.
The agency, which was started in 1983 by former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Keegan and Sister Phyllis Herbert, was designed to be alternative to incarceration and to provide education, vocational training, treatment, and employment to area citizens who have been arrested as a result of their use or addiction to drugs and/or alcohol.
“This program has literally saved a lot of lives over the years, put families back together, and provided miracles to a number of its clients,” said U.S. Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, who was honored during the celebration for his long-time support of the Honor Court.
McNulty went on to say that addiction is a terminal disease which is fully capable of killing those affected by it unless they are introduced to some sort of rehabilitation program.
Sister Herbert, who now serves as director of the Albany Honor Court, explained that the agency has survived through some tough times over the years, and she was glad to see the amount of support it currently has in different locations across the state.
“It truly takes a community of people coming together for a program like this to succeed, and I am pleased to see that is still happening here,” said Herbert.
Juliet Broderick, 53, a local woman who has volunteered with Sister Herbert for several years, said she believes the agency was one of the main reasons she has been able to stay healthy and sober.
“The reality of it all is that we are able to share our experiences and hope with each other so that we can look forward to a better future,” said Broderick, who said she felt the agency was a great way to get people off of the streets and out of the drug-related lifestyle.
Broderick also noted that the agency’s programs were able to provide her with a number of opportunities, stability, and a sense of equality in her community.
Additional support came from Albany County Executive Michael Breslin, who noted that he had seen the effects of drug and alcohol addiction first hand during his time in the army.
“It always bothered me that there were not places for people with addictions to go when they were released from jail or arrested on the street,” said Breslin, who thanked program members and graduates for continuing to come back and set a positive example in the community.
Albany Police Chief James Tuffey explained that he supported the agency because of its ability to turn troubled citizens into productive members of society by teaching them how to work hard and make necessary changes in their lives.
“People who have been successful in the programs come back each year, and each year it gets a little bigger. That is the success of this agency,” said Tuffey.
The agency provides several services including assessment, court advocacy, counseling, intensive supervision, monitoring, job placement, drug-related treatments, and residential services.
Rep. Michael McNulty with Rev. Peter Young, CEO
of Albany Honor Court. J.S. Carras — The Record