5 graduate from Effingham County Problem Solving Court

Jul. 26—Five Effingham County residents now have a clean slate after graduating from the Effingham County Problem Solving Court program.

A graduation ceremony was held Friday in a courtroom at the Effingham County Government Center. The residents who graduated from the program were Shannon Borton, Matthew Jackson, David Ervin, Alexa Feldhake and Ashley Schaufler.

"These five individuals have done some of the hardest work they will ever do," said Effingham County Probation Officer Christine Winters.

The ceremony was led by Judge Ericka Sanders, who explained that most people lack the ability or drive to make it through the program and stay sober.

"They do what most people can't, change, and they changed despite every unimaginable obstacle in their way," Sanders said. "You are the definition of success in anyone's book."

Sanders also expressed her appreciation for the work of the members of the Strategic Training and Restoration (STAR) Board: Stacy Schuette, Katrina Smith, Stacey Durbin, Shelby Overbeck, Katie Smithenry, Tonya Siner and Christine Winters. STAR is a nonprofit organization that helps fund area drug court programs and assists program participants with the cost of living, even when it comes to housing.

"In short, they provide a hand up until our participants are able to use their own hands," Sanders said. "They are people dedicated to their professions."

In a video played during the ceremony, it was revealed that it costs $46,743 to incarcerate someone, while it only costs $6,000 to put a resident through the Effingham County Problem Solving Court program, which began in 2006.

"We are a successful program, saving literally millions in incarceration costs," Sanders said.

Effingham County Problem Solving Court Case Manager Macie Will also spoke during the ceremony and, alongside Winters, introduced the family of Sam Hurst, who presented Susan Miller with the Sam Hurst Memorial Award.

Sam Hurst used to be a probation officer in Effingham County, and he died in Jan. of 2015. The award is meant to honor his memory and his approach to rehabilitation, which Will said is "paramount" to the success of those in the probation system.

"You see, Sam was a relationship builder," Will said.

According to Winters, Miller, who has had her own battle with addiction, dedicates much of her time to helping others in recovery, and she gives presentations to United Way of Effingham County when STAR asks for funding.

"She exemplifies that quality to the fullest," Winters said. "She has a heart as big as this room."

Miller spoke after being presenting with the award, saying she was "just blown away," and she congratulated each of the graduates on the success they've had with the problem solving court program.

"It's such an honor," Miller said. "I can only give back what was given to me, and that was personal freedom from addiction."

The Brianne Martin Award was also presented during the ceremony. The award honors the memory of Brianne Martin, who died in the fall of 2014 after a semi-truck driver with cocaine in his system crashed into her vehicle.

Martin was one of the youngest to ever go through the Effingham County Problem Solving Court program, entering it in 2010 when she was just 15 years old. But she managed to turn her life around and attended both Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University.

"She made it impossible to not be effected by her enthusiasm or contagious laugh," Winters said.

Martin's mother, April Hurt, presented one of the graduates, Matthew Jackson, with the award during the ceremony.

In the video played during the ceremony, Jackson said the program allowed him to reapply with his employer for an assistant manager position at Speedway. He also thanked STAR for helping him pay his rent.

"It helped out a lot," Jackson said.

Additionally, Jackson said that since going through the program, he's learned to better cope with his emotions in relationships and take control of his life, which has meant paying his rent and bills on time.

"I've learned how to basically be responsible," he said. "I keep my head above water."

Other graduates also shared their stories via video during the ceremony.

Shannon Borton said he grew up around people who abused drugs and alcohol, explaining that this type of behavior was a "fairly normal" part of his life, and since he was a teenager, he has been arrested numerous times.

"I started using drugs at the age of 13 years old," he said. "I just kept along that path because I really didn't know another way. When I'm using drugs, that's all I do."

Borton is now determined to be a good role model for his children, and he hopes to someday watch them play sports.

"I just want to see my kids grow and be happy," he said.

One of the keys to Borton's success in the program has been living life one day at a time, and his determination to stay clean led to him getting promoted at his job recently.

"That's huge for me," Borton said regarding the promotion. "I live day by day. I just want to stay where I'm at on this path."

Borton has been rebuilding his relationships with his love ones, and he said he's learned to hold himself accountable for his actions.

"I was a very selfish person," Borton said. "If I say I'm going to do something, I follow through.

"Just because we've stumbled in life doesn't mean we'll always stumble."

One of the relationships of Borton's that has been flourishing since he got into the problem solving court program is his relationship with another program graduate, Ashley Schaufler. Schaufler also discussed her journey towards recovery during the ceremony, explaining that one of the roots of her drug problem was the relationships she used to have.

"I isolated from everybody," she said. "I have a healthy relationship with my family, and I have real friends today."

Schaufler also said that the program has taught her that achieving small goals can lead to major changes for the better. She also realized that the counselors with the Effingham County Probation Department simply wanted to help her.

"I definitely did not want to tell my counselors anything," Schaufler said. "I used to lie about everything, I mean everything."

Moving forward, Schaufler hopes to soon begin studying to become a dental assistant.

At the end of the ceremony, Schaufler and just about everyone else in the courtroom where the ceremony took place were surprised when Borton got down on one knee to propose to her after saying he had one more question to ask.

Borton and Schaufler are now engaged.

Nick Taylor can be reached at nick.taylor@effinghamdailynews.com or by phone at 618-510-9226 or 217-347-7151 ext. 300132.