Fourth Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court Celebrates Sixth Graduation

Posted March 10, 2026
Posted by Attorney and Veterans Service Office

The Fourth Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) celebrated another milestone this month as the program held its sixth graduation ceremony, recognizing its eighth graduate, Davin Bucy, and the continued success of a program dedicated to supporting veterans on their path to recovery. 

Presided over by District Court Judge Amy L. Zacharias, the ceremony brought together mentors, program partners, and fellow veterans to recognize the graduate’s achievements and the progress made through the program. 

Veterans Treatment Court is a specialized court program designed to address the unique challenges some veterans face after military service. Through a structured, judicially supervised program, participants are connected with mental health services, substance use treatment, and community resources that help them work toward long-term stability and accountability.  

Unlike traditional court proceedings, Veterans Treatment Court focuses on recovery and rehabilitation, offering eligible veterans the opportunity to address underlying issues such as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders, and other service-related challenges while remaining accountable within the justice system.  

Programs like this are rare in Iowa. The Fourth Judicial District’s Veterans Treatment Court—serving nine counties including Pottawattamie County—is one of only two Veterans Treatment Courts in the state, alongside the program in Woodbury County.  

A key component of the program is its mentor network, made up of volunteers who have also served in the military. These mentors provide peer support and guidance to participants throughout the program. 

Among those speaking at the ceremony was Brad Powell, a program mentor who is currently supporting his third mentee through the program. Mentors like Powell help participants navigate challenges while reinforcing the discipline, camaraderie, and shared experience that often define military service. 

Previous graduates of the program also attended the ceremony to support the newest graduate and reflect on their own journeys. 

One of those graduates, Colin Folk, shared how the program changed his life. 

“Veterans Treatment Court helped me rediscover my identity at a time when I had lost it. Through consistent structure, accountability, and support, the program challenged me to take responsibility for my actions while providing a clear path forward. VTC allowed me to move ahead as a proud veteran—defined by growth, discipline, and purpose rather than by a statistic or a single moment in my past.” 

The ceremony emphasized the deeper purpose behind the program, including a quote attributed to Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, shared by Justin Harris: 

“In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering in the moment it finds meaning.” 

The quote reflected the mission of Veterans Treatment Court, to help veterans transform difficult experiences into a path toward healing, growth, and renewed purpose. 

Despite the program’s impact, the Fourth Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court currently receives no state or federal funding and relies on community support to sustain many of its activities. Community members can support the program through the “Don’t Let the Hard Days Win” fundraiser, which includes select merchandise featuring that message available through an online storefront. Fundraising efforts help cover costs such as: 

• Assessments and evaluations that may not be covered by insurance 

• Participant incentives that recognize milestones and progress 

• Graduation and recognition events that celebrate participants’ hard work and recovery  

Through collaboration between the courts, treatment providers, veterans’ organizations, and volunteer mentors, the Veterans Treatment Court continues to help local veterans rebuild their lives and reconnect with their communities. 

For more information about the Fourth Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court or how to support the program, visit the Veterans Treatment Court page on the Pottawattamie County website.