El Paso County Takes To The Big Stage

The El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department’s Challenge Academy is the department’s long-term residential program that provides evidence-based programming, substance abuse treatment and life skills for the overall growth and development of youth and their families.

Since 2013, the Challenge Academy Explorers Post has been an active participant in the annual Sun Bowl Parade, building parade floats that have special meaning for the youth. It all started with an idea to give back to the community and experience what the community has to offer to our youth. The first float in 2013 drew on the motivation and dedication that fictional boxer Rocky Balboa displayed in not giving up and fighting to win. It was titled “Eye of the Tiger” and received an honorable mention by parade judges.

In 2014, Challenge Academy youth and counselors drew from the fact that most of the youth have to learn to be adults before their time at the expense of their childhood. The group’s entry that year was their “Angry Birds” float which received the Governor’s Award (Best Presentation of the Parade Theme).

The Challenge Academy’s 2015 “Space Shuttle” float stressed that, to reach for the stars, all you need is dedication, motivation and hope. The message to youth was that the sky is the limit and they should reach for the stars in their dreams and goals in life. “Space Shuttle” received the General’s Award (Most Outstanding Small Float).

Every float comes with its set of goals, lessons and rewards. Team advisors Lee Camack, Alfredo Saucedo, Rocio Estrada and Margaux Marquez and a set of youth work hours and hours, days to days and even months to raise the money for the float and built it from the ground up. Congratulations to the El Paso Challenge Academy staff and youth for their dedication, hard work spirit of excellence.

PHOTO: 2015 “Space Shuttle” parade float.

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

DENTON, Texas -- The Kiwanis Club of Denton recognized nine youth from McFadden Ranch who earned their high school diploma or equivalency by inviting them to their April 17 noon meeting and luncheon where they were awarded $50 each for their trust fund. Spearheaded by JCO IV Gregory Winn, a longstanding member of the Kiwanis Club of Denton, the event was truly memorable for the youth who attended. They heard a motivational and moving presentation by Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, who completed the Greatest Endurance Challenge – the World Marathon Challenge – tackling seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. He took the challenge after being inspired by Jonny Wade, a 7-year-old boy who battled pediatric cancer and had only one wish – ‘that no other kid ever gets cancer.’ Wade’s death led to the creation of Pediatric Cancer Foundation for which Fallon raised over $250,000 so far. Fallon, who represents a portion of Denton County, said the takeaway from his experience is that we

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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