Willoughby Halfway House Youth Take Historical Field Trip

With campaigning for the presidency underway and an election in the near future, Willoughby Halfway House youth went on a history field trip to visit The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. The Museum features an interactive Decision Points Theater where visitors make real-time crisis decisions similar to those made by President Bush. The museum also features important artifacts, such as a piece of the World Trade Center and a full-scale replica of the Oval Office complete with a Resolute Desk, which the youth got to sit behind.

The museum offers a new and revealing look into the decisions and events of the Bush Presidency and houses approximately 43,000 gifts given to the President and First Lady by people from around the world.

According to Willoughby Halfway House Assistant Superintendent Felicia Reynolds, “This was a great opportunity for the youth to learn about the role of the president and they expressed that coming to the museum was a moment they would never forget. I think they enjoyed sitting behind the ‘Oval Office’ desk. It really was a very educational experience.”

PHOTO: Willoughby House youth pose for their photo in the replica Oval Office at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas.

McFadden Sends Youth Home with Backpack of 'Hope'

By Y. Denise Caldwell Community Resource Coordinator, Northern District Parole Office FLOWER MOUND, Texas - Larry Bossaler, McFadden volunteer McFadden Ranch Volunteer Larry Bossaler enjoys his assignment: Making sure that every youth who leaves the McFadden halfway house knows that people are praying for him and wishing him the best in his future. He is the man who brings them their “Good-Bye” backpack. When he delivers the backpacks, he makes sure to do three things – visit with the youth, show the contents of the backpack (because staff put them in the lockers until the youth leaves), and lastly close the visit with a heartfelt prayer. The youth enjoy and appreciate the backpack, the visit and the prayer. Many are a little anxious and scared to leave but knowing that the McFadden volunteers care enough to send them off in this special way, helps them feel a bit less worried. “I always bring an extra backpack,” Larry said. “In case a youth i

McFadden Ranch High School Graduates Honored

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Teamwork Leads to Arrest Without Incident

GAINESVILLE, Texas – Late at night on July 21, a young man escaped from the Gainesville State School, and an exceptional team effort ensured that he was found the very next day. Employees from TJJD State Programs, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, local law enforcement, and TJJD Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigators from Gainesville, Brownwood, Mart, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin all answered the call that night. Sgt. Gabriel Medellin was contacted at approximately 2:00 a.m., on July 22. He left San Antonio for Gainesville at approximately 6:00 a.m. to meet with other investigators and begin searching for the youth. At approximately 12:25 p.m., Sgt. Medellin observed a male walking down a highway in Gainesville who matched the description of the youth. Sgt. Medellin made contact, confirmed his identity, and made the arrest without incident. He was assisted by OIG Sergeants Walker Willey (Ron Jackson) and Tom Hamilton (Mart). OIG Chief Forrest Mitchell s

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