WS Chronicle

The Stepping Up Process to End Recidivism (SUPER) held its latest graduation ceremony on Oct. 31. The yearlong program provides support services to those with mental health and/or substance use issues who may have criminal justice involvement.

The ceremony celebrated five graduates who have been in recovery and have not incurred any new criminal charges for at least a year. To go along with the “SUPER” theme, graduates wore capes as they marched down the aisle.

“Now that you are a SUPER graduate, climb to great heights and leap over any obstacles that get in your way,” said Stepping Up Supervisor Amber Humble. “You have earned your capes.”

Humble urged them to stay in touch, saying that Stepping Up staff would continue to be there for them. She also urged them to be examples to others and to come back and share their stories in Stepping Up support groups.

Certificates were presented to the graduates by Commissioner Gloria Whisenhunt. Commissioner Gray Wilson was also in attendance, as was county staff, family members, and other program participants.

SUPER is part of the Stepping Up initiative. It’s based on a national model that Commissioner Whisenhunt learned about at a National Association of Counties (NACo) workshop. 

Whisenhunt, who serves on the board of NACo, brought the idea to county staff, who crafted the program, and to her fellow commissioners, who fund the program. It also receives grant funding from The Winston-Salem Foundation and started with an initial grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

The Stepping Up initiative also includes the county’s Mental Health Court, a pre-plea treatment program which results in the dismissal of charges for successful graduates.