Probation Services’ Program serving as motivation for others
The REPORTER
The Hamilton County Courts’ Department of Probation Services celebrated four individuals Oct. 18 at its annual Wall of Change Celebration in the Jury Assembly Room at the Government & Judicial Building in Noblesville. The department nominates individuals who have made meaningful, positive changes to their lives while on probation.
“A lot of people hear about probation when someone has violated their terms,” said Paul McGriff, Assistant Director of the Department of Probation Services. “But the vast majority of people complete probation and there are many clients making big, difficult changes to better their lives and their community. Their accomplishments deserve to be celebrated.”
April (Burgess) Beaty and Kerry Gregory were among those honored for their achievements. Beaty struggled with an addiction to methamphetamines for more than 20 years. She says getting arrested was the best thing that ever happened to her.
“The six months I spent in jail saved my life,” Beaty said. “I had lost everything and was on a path of total destruction. After getting sober and being released, probation held me accountable. Never in a million years did I think I could be where I am at now.”
Beaty is a full-time student at Ivy Tech with dreams of becoming a therapist in addiction rehabilitation. She owns her own home and has reestablished relationships with her three grown children.
“April was an obvious candidate for the Wall of Change due to her complete 180 from the beginning to the end of her supervision,” said Austin Paschal, the probation officer who nominated Beaty for the Wall of Change. “She made many difficult, positive changes to all aspects of her life, and plans to use her experiences to help change the lives of others.”
Kerry Gregory began smoking marijuana in the fifth grade. He eventually became addicted to painkillers, lost his job, and became estranged from his family. An arrest for dealing drugs led to his turnabout.
“Addiction took me to the darkest place,” Gregory said. “I couldn’t see the light and didn’t think I could get out of it. I want others suffering from substance use disorders to know they’re just a few decisions away from a better life. All you have to do is shut the door to your past and believe in the process. I have everything I could ever want and that didn’t seem possible a couple years ago.”
“Kerry’s goal from the first time I met with him was to be on the Wall of Change,” said Andrea Joines, the probation officer who nominated Gregory for the Wall of Change. “He has accomplished so much in the time we’ve worked together. He believes that knowledge is power and uses the skills he has learned to make better decisions.”
Fifteen individuals have now received the Wall of Change Award. Everyone awarded with the honor has a plaque hanging in the lobby of the Department of Probation Services.
A total of 15 people have received the Wall of Change Award. (Photo provided)