March 12, 2025 3:05 a.m.  

A H.O.P.E. Drug Court graduate-phase participant is collecting needed backpacks and activity items for children ages 3 to 5 for the Family Development Center Relief Nursery.

The Douglas County H.O.P.E. Drug Court is preparing for their 109th graduation on May 15th at 5:15 p.m. in the Cascade Hall building at the fairgrounds. Graduate hopeful Miguel Betancourt is seeking assistance to obtain backpacks and youth activity items including books for ages 3 to 5.

A Douglas County Circuit Court release said the Family Development Center is a local nonprofit organization who uses the Relief Nursery Therapeutic model, providing a unique combination of individualized classroom and home-based developmental experiences for children up to age 5. The organization tries to prepare each outreach child and child in the classroom a small kit that can be utilized while they are home with their families and siblings. Kits include small toys, outside activity items, bubbles, puzzles and especially books.

Miguel Betancourt knew he wanted to help the Family Development Center when told he was advancing to the graduate phase of the H.O.P.E. Drug Court program. Betancourt has placed donation boxes at Big O Tires on Northwest Stewart Parkway and in the lobby of the Douglas County Juvenile Department on the first floor of the courthouse on Southeast Douglas Avenue. The collection will end by April 25th.