Five women graduated from Kosciusko County JCAP during a ceremony on Friday, June 23. Pictured, from left, are JCAP Graduates Rosa Rosas, Angel Halsey, Jessica Johnson, Roxanne Ratliff, and Jaime Benedict; and JCAP Coordinator Casey Trombley. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Five women graduated from Kosciusko County’s Jail Chemical Addiction Program during a ceremony on Friday, June 23.

JCAP was launched in 2018 to address substance abuse issues suffered by many jail inmates and involves participation in classes covering areas such as physical fitness, spirituality, life skills, leadership and financial counseling.

Graduates from Kosciusko County’s 14th JCAP class were: Rosa Rosas, Roxanne Ratliff, Jaime Benedict, Angel Halsey, and Jessica Johnson.

The graduates’ families, and mentors who taught the women throughout the program, were in attendance.

This is the first JCAP class under both Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and JCAP Coordinator Casey Trombley.

Smith commended the women for their hard work and likened the ceremony to building a foundation for a house. He emphasized the importance of the graduates continuing to utilize what they learned through JCAP.

“Each one of you are capable of that,” said Smith.

Trombley said she and the women meshed very well over the last four months and expressed her gratitude in working with each of them.

“I love and care for you guys so much,” said Trombley. “You have beautiful lives ahead of you. I’ll always be here for you guys no matter what. I know you guys have the inner strength to get through things.”

During the ceremony, the five graduates focused their speeches on thanking those who provided them with mentoring, teaching and programming through JCAP. They also sang “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten.

Jessica Johnson, one of the graduates, noted having a higher felony case and thanked Trombley for giving her the opportunity to participate in JCAP amidst that.

“It wasn’t likely that I was going to be accepted but Casey saw something in me and allowed me into JCAP and it has absolutely changed my life,” said Johnson. “I’m going to carry this with me for the rest of my life. I’ve never been so self-aware and strong as I am now and it’s solely because I went through this program.”

All graduates received CPR certification cards. They also received certificates of completion from Smith, Trombley, and KCSO Chief Deputy Chris McKeand.

One newer aspect with this year’s JCAP class was participants having the ability to do community service outside of the jail, such as taking care of animals at the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County and helping the American Legion place flags at veterans’ headstones. Community members with any opportunities for future JCAP classes are encouraged to contact JCAP representatives or the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

Kosciusko County’s 14th JCAP ceremony was live streamed and can be viewed on the KCSO Facebook page.