News  The Plymouth District Court Women’s Recovery Court hosts its first session

Above: Retired Malden District Probation Assistant Chief Probation Officer Judy Lawler, and Katie O’Leary, Director of Recovery at North Suffolk Community Services, look on as Keriann Cacavarro, Cambridge Recovery Court graduate, speaks to audience.

Court, Probation, and members of the recovery community turned out for the first Women’s Recovery Court session to be held at Plymouth District Court.

Lynn District Court First Justice Ina Howard-Hogan; retired Malden District Probation Assistant Chief Probation Officer Judy Lawler, and Katie O’Leary, Director of Recovery at North Suffolk Community Services, opened the session which featured testimonials by women in the recovery community. Among the women who shared their stories are Rebekah Cole, Charlestown Recovery Court graduate; Tiah Anzivino, Falmouth Recovery Court graduate; Joanne Peterson Founder and Executive Director of Learn to Cope; and Keriann Cacavarro, Cambridge Recovery Court graduate.

Ms. Cacavarro told the audience she thanks her Probation Officer who helped her transform her life, “For years, the only reference I had was my Probation Officer. Every milestone, my PO vouched for me.”

She added, “I would not be alive today if it weren’t for Recovery Court.”

Ms. Peterson turned to the other panelists and said, “Look at what you are doing for the next person…. I wish they had this type of program for my brother and sister.”

The session ended with a mindfulness experience conducted by Allison Burke, Executive Director and Yoga Instructor at YamaStay Yoga.

The Women's Recovery Court Session at Plymouth District Court is one of three in the state. The first Women’s Recovery Court was introduced at Chelsea District Court by now Edgartown District First Justice Benjamin Barnes, who was then Chelsea District First Justice, Ms. Lawler, and Ms. O’Leary. The session was moved to Malden District Court. In addition to Malden and Plymouth District courts, there is a Women’s Recovery Court session in Springfield and another is planned for Greenfield.