Three Drug Court Graduates Win Joshua Charles Short Scholarships

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich., July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. (during the Oakland County Adult Treatment Court's summer graduation) three drug treatment court alumni will be recognized as the 2012 winners of the Joshua Charles Short Scholarship. Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Potts, president and founder of the RESTORE Foundation, along with Ms. Suzanne Okun, mother of Joshua Short, will present the awards.

Joshua Charles Short was just twenty years old when he died of an overdose in 2008.  Ms. Okun courageously recognized she could not remain quiet about her son's death and decided to create a memorial scholarship not only to honor her son, but to support those who have overcome their own addictions and continue in their journey of recovery.

All Oakland County Adult and Juvenile Drug Court graduates are eligible for the annual $1,000.00 scholarship awards, providing that they have maintained their sobriety and are actively 'giving back' to their communities in some fashion.  Applicants for the scholarship must apply by May 1^st of each year, be willing to submit to drug testing, and relay how they are contributing to their individual community. The scholarship application can be viewed and submitted via the RESTORE Foundation's website at www.therestorefoundation.org

The Scholarship, with an initial contribution from Shore Mortgage, is a specific fund of the RESTORE Foundation, the non-profit that was created to financially sustain the Oakland County Circuit Court Drug Treatment Court Programs.  The 2012 award recipient are JDC graduate Mr. Cory G., one of the first Juvenile Drug Court graduates, now attending Washington State University and is working on his PhD. on Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Also selected is Ms. Caitlin K. who is currently pursuing studies at Oakland Community College and the final award going to Mr. Ryan C. who is pursuing his Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Wayne State University.

Ms. Okun not only offers her efforts in fund raising for Joshua's scholarship, but speaks to the dangers of drug abuse and shares her story with youth around the metro area in hopes of preventing other teens and their mothers from the pain she has endured.

SOURCE The RESTORE Foundation