The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office is seeking veterans who want to help other veterans charged with nonviolent offenses in the criminal justice system.

The mentor program started in 2011. Some of the veteran mentors served in combat.

Some of the mentors have worked with four or more veterans who were charged with misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. The mentors, who receive four hours of training, help mentees find jobs, further their educations, obtain stable housing, stay drug and alcohol free, comply with conditions of bail, house arrest, and probation or parole, and access veterans' benefits.

"The program has been a tremendous success because of the dedication and compassion of veterans who volunteer their time and talents to help other veterans," District Attorney Jim Martin said. "The mentors have helped veterans' entire families because when a veteran who is a defendant is helped, that aids the spouse, children, parents and siblings of the veteran. Because of the popularity of the program and the fact that it is making a difference in the lives of veterans and their families, we now need more mentors to meet the needs of veterans who want help."

Veterans can obtain an application by going to lehighcounty.org and clicking on the Elected Officials tab. Go to drop-down menu for District Attorney's Office. An application and a brochure are on the left. Applicants need to provide a copy of their DD 214.