Joaneka Smith was pregnant and lacking stable housing in January as she faced a misdemeanor charge in Las Vegas Municipal Court.
“I was pregnant; I was scared,” she said Thursday. “I thought I was gonna go to jail.”
Smith said she was hoping to get community service in lieu of time behind bars. The city offered her something better: enrollment into its Community Court, a specialty program designed to help homeless people escape recidivism through housing, job training and other social services.
In the last several months, the program helped her secure an apartment, food, vital documents, tax literacy and even a stroller and laptop. Her job has since promoted her.
Instead of handing down Smith a sentence on Thursday, the court dismissed her case and gave her a diploma.
“Every goal that was set for me, ‘I was like, OK, I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that,’” she said, beaming with pride during a morning ceremony at the court.
She was one of eight participants honored as the program’s first graduating class.
“I am absolutely delighted to share this occasion with you,” said Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, veering from her prepared remarks. “It is, I know, very important to you. But I can tell you without fear of contradiction how important it is to the city to ensure that you succeed and make a difference in your own lives and in the community.”
Las Vegas specialty courts
The program runs between six months and a year. It offers eligibility to people facing charges relating to homelessness, such as trespassing, misuse of a bus stop or impeding traffic, the city said. It gives top priority to defendants with substance abuse issues.
Las Vegas manages six other specialty courts for veterans, youth offenders, people with mental health ailments and people with DUI cases. On Wednesday, the City Council voted to approve a $400,000 federal grant to help fund five of the courts.
Those admitted under the Community Court initiative are first placed under a safe roof, including treatment facilities, according to the city. More than 150 people were referred to the program since January, and 13 were in the process of getting help.
“I like to think about it as an outside box kind of court, and it needs to be because of all the challenges that are associated with homelessness,” said Cassandra Diaz, assistant court administrator for Las Vegas. “The causes of someone becoming unhoused can be for a variety of reasons, and the new Community Court works to connect individuals with services while maintaining an intensive program with regular status checks on their journey toward becoming healthy, housed, and hired.”
Success stories
Hearing Commissioner Anthony Ruggiero oversees the program. On Thursday, he introduced the five graduates who showed up, highlighting their achievements and granting them space to share personal testimonies.
“It was a lot. It was hard starting off,” said Trenton Brooks, noting that he got more help than he expected.
He now holds two jobs and is currently working toward a GED diploma. He was hoping to get a driver’s license Friday.
“If I can do it,” Brooks said, “everyone can do it.”
Through the program, Tiffany Taylor has been able to get housing, childcare, employment and assistance for her mother.
After working a couple of jobs, she is now a front desk agent at a Strip property.
“That progression was all you,” Ruggiero told her. “You did all the work, and you’re showing everybody all the success that can be achieved.”
Taylor said that it feels like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“I wake up excited for what tomorrow means, and I’m so thankful that the court; they don’t see us as criminals, as people who can’t get it together,” she said. “They see us as humans who just need a little bit of help.”
Anthony Saldana thanked the court and the grace of God for his recovery, job and home.
“I’m managing a restaurant now,” he said. “I do graveyard, and I’m excited that I’m doing better.”
Oscar May expressed gratitude as he described the experience as a journey. He’s been able to get a job and has learned to budget his earnings and open a savings account. He is living with family as the program helps him find his own home.
The other three graduates were: Amber Gowan, Amanda Keck and Madgela Swindell.
Municipal Court Chief Judge Kelly Giordani said the program allows judges to get to know participants and understand their circumstances to better help them.
“We want to address that specifically so that they can have their best life,” she said.
It’s not an easy process, added Giordani. “I think the five graduates I have in front of us can attest to that.”
Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.
