Staff photo / Chris McBride From left, Trumbull County Probation Officer Sharon Whitaker, Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice, Women’s Therapeutic Docket graduates Robin Jo O’Brien and Christina Maria Gonzalez, Magistrate Mary Ellen Ditchey and County Probation Day Reporting Coordinator Lauren Holt celebrate after O’Brien and Gonzalez completed their time in the Women’s Therapeutic Docket, a program started by Rice to serve as a lifeline to women offenders.

WARREN — Two women celebrated a fresh start Tuesday as they graduated from a special Trumbull County court program designed to help women overcome addiction and trauma.

Robin Jo O’Brien and Christina Maria Gonzalez completed the Women’s Therapeutic Docket, a program run by Common Pleas Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice. The docket focuses on supporting women facing charges related to drug abuse, drunk driving or mental health issues, rather than serious crime.

Rice started the program after seeing a similar one in Dayton. She said she wanted to create a safe space for women, who often face unique challenges like abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Women are twice as likely to suffer from PTSD than men,” Rice said during Tuesday’s graduation ceremony. She noted that 86% of incarcerated women have been sexually abused, compared to 25% in the general population.

The docket helps women address trauma, get counseling and learn life skills like managing money and finding jobs. It also provides sober living options, peer support and transportation.

“We ask, ‘What happened to you?’ not ‘What’s wrong with you?'” Rice said.

The goal is lasting recovery, with accountability to keep participants on track.

The day began with the regular weekly docket, where women in the program check in and get support. Then came the graduations.

For completing the program, O’Brien and Gonzalez had their charges dismissed through a process called intervention in lieu of conviction.

O’Brien shared her story of change. She said the program helped her build a strong foundation in recovery. Now, she works at New Day, a rehab center, passing out medications and talking to clients.

“If I didn’t have this program, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did,” O’Brien said. She earned a peer support certification and stressed the importance of patience and staying in a supportive environment.

Gonzalez came to the docket from Girard Municipal Court. Judge Jeffrey D. Adler and Chief Probation Officer Keith Gunther spoke about her journey.

Adler called Gonzalez a “tough cookie” at first but praised her progress. “You’ve got to build up your self-esteem,” he said.

Gunther noted her extensive criminal history but said she has done “phenomenal” work. Gonzalez focused on surrounding herself with positive people.

Guest speaker Jess Saker, who has been sober since 2017, shared her own recovery from opioid addiction and prison time. She encouraged the women to accept help and build a life worth staying sober.

Probation Officer Sharon Whitaker closed with words of pride.

“Success is the result of picking yourself up when you fail and trying again,” she said.