May 16, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
Another recovery success story!
The DeKalb County Recovery Court is commemorating May being National Treatment Court Month by recognizing graduates of the program.
Today’s feature is on Tamara Michelle Williamson, who graduated from the DeKalb County Recovery Court on December 1, 2021.
Like so many others, Tamara began struggling with addiction at an early age, caught in what seemed to be a never-ending cycle. She eventually landed in jail and lost custody of her three children. After turning to God, Tamara began to turn her life around and discovered the Recovery Court. Today, Tamara has left her past behind. She has her sobriety. She regained custody of her children during her time in Recovery Court and she married on March 1st. Tamara is now regional manager of Gem-Quality in Gallatin, a company associated with the automotive and manufacturing industry.
In an interview with WJLE Monday, Tamara told the story in her own words.
“I struggled with addiction from an early age. Even in my early addiction I prayed to God to deliver me. In my early 30’s I ended up in and out of jail. Its not where I wanted to be but where I needed to be. I knew I needed help and guidance breaking the non-ending cycle I had been living in. That’s when I asked the Recovery Court for the help I needed,” said Williamson.
“At first, I was defiant and wanted to do things my own way but then I was put in a home with other ladies that were like minded as me and wanting a better life. I started seeking after God again and found that the more I sought Him the further away from the bad habits I got. My life started changing. I learned accountability, integrity, and my thinking and attitude changed. Recovery Court saved my life,” said Williamson.
Three years ago, Tamara took a job at Gem-Quality and has risen through the ranks to become a leader in the company. “I started at a job on the ground floor inspecting parts and in the last three years I have worked my way up to regional manager,” she said.
On the Gem-Quality website, Tamara is mentioned on the “Meet the Team” page.
“Tamara brings over 10 years manufacturing experience to the team. She is a driven and goal oriented professional dedicated to helping her customers meet their quality needs. She leads her team using a lean approach to help improve the team’s efficiency while keeping quality the primary objective. While she has only been in management a short time, her eagerness to learn and her desire for her team’s success has proven her to be a great leader in all her given tasks. A problem solver by nature allows her to establish effective strategies to work through issues in a quick, yet effective manner. A proven asset to Gem-Quality that has worked her way through the ranks from the floor to office, she understands the needs of her teams and customers which gives her an advantage to get the job done quickly yet effectively,”
To those who may still be trapped in addiction, Tamara offers some advice.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask somebody for help. That’s what stood in my way for the longest time. Always know it is never too late to change what you do and who you are. Define your path in life that God intends for you to be,” said Williamson.
“This story is just one powerful reminder of when one person rises out of addiction and finds recovery, we all rise. And it is just one of many stories that demonstrate why treatment courts like the DCRC are so critical in the effort to address addiction and related crime,” said DeKalb County Recovery Court Coordinator Kate Arnold.
May is National Treatment Court Month and the perfect opportunity to celebrate graduates from the local treatment court, DeKalb County Recovery Court (DCRC). DCRC represents a compassionate approach with much accountability. This program is an intense one-year-plus treatment program that ensures each person in the program receives an individualized, evidence-based treatment plan. The DCRC team identifies and meets individual needs beyond clinical treatment such as education, employment, housing, family reunification, and health care.
The DeKalb County Recovery Court Team includes Judge Brandon Cox, Kate Arnold (Coordinator), Rhonda Tiefenauer (case manager), Darnell Gurley (case manager), Lary Latzman (Certified Peer Support Specialist/Volunteer Behavior Health), Jackie Vickers (treatment provider, Buffalo Valley), Abigail Wood (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department), James Cornelius (Smithville Police Department), Clara Knowles (probation), John & Kay Quintero (mental health provider, Haven of Hope), Greg Strong (District Attorney Office), and Allison West (Public Defender Office).