Arlington celebrates new home of veteran, low-income court program

Before cars and floats took over the Entertainment District in the evening to celebrate Veterans Day, community members were having a different, smaller celebration in central Arlington.

On Wednesday morning, residents and city staff gathered in the City Tower to celebrate a new permanent home for the Community Court program, which helps veterans and low-income residents who receive citations. 

Associate Municipal Judge Danielle Delaney said the new home shows a dedication to the purpose of the program.

“Having a permanent space over here tells the public we’re committed to this program,” Delaney said. “We’re committed to providing services to individuals and to helping those individuals out in our community.”

The program was launched in 2024 after the city received a $900,000 federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Arlington was one of only five selected for the grant in the nation, according to a news release.

Delaney said the staff of the program visits the jail every morning to find individuals who fit the parameters of Community Court. 

The program is for residents who cannot pay off their citation. In that case, Community Court staff reach out to the individuals who have Class C misdemeanor violations and help them through alternatives like job placement, counseling and more.

To learn more about the program or to reach out to program staff, click here or email [email protected].

“It helps them come into this program and keep it off of their record instead of making a payment the way you traditionally would with a Class C citation,” Delaney said. “Instead, an individual does hours of service, and those hours can be done in a variety of ways. It can be done through workforce training, general counseling, substance abuse counseling. It’s really highly individually tailored to each person’s situation.”

Delaney said the program is tailored for the most vulnerable in society as well as veterans. She said a lot of veterans in the community need additional services that the program has addressed.

“We have counseling services specifically for veterans and veteran-led groups; we have specific scholarship programs for veterans to be able to obtain workforce training through scholarships with organizations like CLC Inc., so we try to really provide resources to veterans,” Delaney said.

Mayor Jim Ross, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the courtroom, told attendees that the Community Court program is an embodiment of Arlington residents’ willingness to look out for and take care of each other.

“When we have a Community Court like this, we provide an opportunity to take care of people in a different way, and let them know, ‘This isn’t the end of the world. You’re not going to have to go without a meal to be able to pay a ticket. We can find other solutions for you, and we can work with you,’” Ross said. “More importantly than that, we’re sending a message that we care. We really care about our community.”

Delaney said serving the community through the program has filled her with pride, and that helping those with substance abuse issues particularly brings her joy.

“I celebrate with all of them, whether it’s getting a job or getting their GED or any of the different services that are available, but I’d say the special place in my heart is for those individuals who receive substance abuse counseling,” Delaney said.

After its launch, the program was housed in the United Way office in Arlington. Now, with a home on the second floor of City Tower, Delaney said she hopes to reach more people as the program continues to grow.

“If you’re in a situation where you’re not able to afford your citation, reach out to us, and we’re happy to help,” Delaney said. “We just need to hear from you.”

Chris Moss is a reporter for the Arlington Report. Contact him at [email protected].

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