The Webb County Court-at-Law II DWI Court Program, with the help of Elizabeth Alonzo-Villarreal and Laredoans Against Drunk Driving (L.A.D.D), marked a milestone Saturday, October 27, with the launch of the court’s Mentor Program that services active DWI Court participants.
Mentors who have successfully graduated the DWI Court Program encourage others by example, teach positive attitudes and life skills, and promote a healthy lifestyle by guiding recovery through building strong relationships.
“They have learned valuable lessons and skills that have helped them overcome addiction to alcohol, and have shown a great passion to share their testimony with others and give back to the community that has supported them throughout their journey,” said Arnoldo J. Lozano, project director of the Mentor Program.
Elizabeth and Erasmo Villarreal are pictured with County Court-at-Law II DWI Program mentors and project coordinator Arnoldo J. Lozano at the Fifth Annual Derek Martinez Skate Jam on October 27 at Blas Castañeda Park.
The initiative took flight at last Saturday morning’s 5th Annual Derek R. Treviño Skate Jam 2018 at Blas Castañeda Park. This initial project orchestrated by Lozano and the County Court-at-Law II DWI Program, allowed mentors to share their personal journeys to overcome alcohol addictions one-on-one with L.A.D.D. members and Alonzo-Villarreal who lost her son, Derek Treviño in 2011 when an intoxicated woman ran a red light and crashed into his vehicle.
“The Skate Jam was actually an idea that came from my son’s friends so that they could skate in memory of his favorite sport and also to conduct an outreach to the kids and 
people attending the event. The Mentor group was a tremendous help in the event. I was able to speak in-depth to one of the volunteers about how drunk driving has affected his life, and I encouraged him to keep on the right path. I congratulated him for making a good choice and for the volunteer work he is doing,” Alonzo-Villarreal added.
“The DWI Court graduates demonstrate a continued commitment to sobriety. They now serve as examples to others as mentors and together, we are working to improve our community,” said County Court-At-Law II Judge Victor Villarreal.
(For further information on County Court-At-Law II’s DWI mentorship program, contact Arnoldo J. Lozano at(956) 523-4818.)
