Naples – David Lawrence Center (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and addiction recovery treatment center serving children, adults and families, announced that Wounded Warriors of Collier County has donated $20,000 to support veterans in need.

The funding will provide uninsured, post 9/11 veterans with mental health and addiction treatment services as well as transitional housing for homeless veterans enrolled in the Collier County Veteran’s Treatment Court. This is the second gift the Center received from Wounded Warriors bringing their total investment in veterans’ treatment to $39,000.

Wounded Warriors of Collier County is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the public’s awareness and solicit donations to assist with the transitional needs of Post 9-11 Veterans and their families. Their charitable focus is on education, exercise and diet, housing, and mental health.

“Unlike other counties, Collier County has no veteran housing. Having stable housing while engaged in mental health and addiction treatment improves outcomes,” said Dale Mullin, a retired US Army Vietnam War veteran and Director of Wounded Warriors of Collier County. “Our goal with this funding is to eliminate barriers to accessing the life-saving services available at David Lawrence Center so that local veterans struggling with the invisible wounds of war can return to productive, full-filled lives.”

The Collier County Veterans Treatment Court is a community-coordinated effort between David Lawrence Center, Office of the State Attorney, The 20th Judicial Circuit Court, Department of Corrections, Office of the Public Defender, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the Veterans Administration and the Veterans Helping Veterans Volunteer Mentor Corps.

Veterans Court coordinates mental health and addiction services for adults with former military service who suffer from a military-related mental illness, traumatic brain injury or substance use disorder and have been arrested for a criminal offense. The goal of Veterans Court is to provide veterans with effective treatment and rehabilitation as well as alternatives to incarceration, so they will have the skills necessary to maintain a drug-and alcohol-free life, abide by the law, and establish positive and productive relationships with their families, their employers and their community. A participant’s successful completion of the 12-month program and all probation terms may lead to reduction or even dismissal of their charges.

“Approximately 100 veterans are arrested each year and many are eligible for Veterans Treatment Court, but stable housing is a requirement of the program,” said Scott Burgess, David Lawrence Center President and CEO. “These transitional housing and treatment funds will help ensure many wounded heroes in our community can engage and participate in our life-changing treatment programs and get their lives back. We are so grateful to Wounded Warriors of Collier County for their continued investment in the lives of local veterans.”

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Center is a national leader in providing world-class mental health and addiction recovery solutions for children, adolescents and adults. The Center’s innovative, integrated treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, David Lawrence Center creates life-changing wellness for more than 9,800 people through over 276,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call 239-455-8500 or visit www.DavidLawrenceCenter.org.