Article published by Caroline Louise Cole - 97.9 WHAV - May 27, 2025

Receiving milestone awards at the Haverhill Community Justice Support Center Client Recognition Ceremony Friday, May 23, were, from left, Travis Michael, Carlos Ortega, Joseph Schofield, Francisco Melendez, Shawn Grant and Erik Milaszewski. (WHAV News photograph.)

Judges and staff alike took time out last Friday to recognize nine local residents for the progress they made in turning their lives around during the first Client Recognition Ceremony at the Haverhill Community Justice Support Center.

Located in a strip mall on Main Street, Haverhill Community Justice Support Center provides intervention services to support those in the justice system as they prepare to reenter the community. Typically, clients are ordered to attend programs at the Community Justice Support Center as a condition of parole or pre-release, explained Coria Holland, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Probation Service. Attendance can be an alternative to jail time and research shows providing intervention services keeps communities safe at a lower cost than jail or prison, Holland noted.

The 18 support centers across the state help clients get treatment for substance abuse disorders, improve decision making, identify career opportunities, complete high school and find housing, Haverhill’s center is run by the Old Colony YMCA in Brockton through a state grant. It opened a year ago.

Christina McKenzie, a program manager with the state Office of Community Corrections, told those assembled the progress and hard work exhibited by the nine honorees proved that transformation was possible. “But you cannot do it alone,” she said. “It takes a village and we are that village.”

Several of the honorees were given certificates for completing tech training, obtaining employment and earning a high school equivalence diploma. Office of Community Correction Executive Director Vin Lorenti said he thought the most important accomplishment the probationists had shown was finding a sense of purpose.

“I know what you have done is hard,” Lorenti said. “I’m thankful you have been able to find your purpose. Please be courageous and confident. The team is here to support you so you can pursue your journey.”

Also speaking were Amy Blake, chief justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, and Cesar A. Archilla, the first justice of Haverhill District Court.