Fort Worth Parole Youth to Enjoy Easter Buckets

Parole youth at the Fort Worth District Parole were surprised to receive “Easter Buckets” during their
regular visit in March.

Thanks to the generosity of the Fort Worth Resource Council for Youth, 25 youth received a decorated, candy-filled Easter bucket when they see their Parole Officer.

Parole officers Jeffrey Manuel and Dan Fauver delivered their baskets during home and school visits while parole officer Billy Branch handed his out during the regular office visit.

Parole Service Assistant Leaner Singleton, who is retiring after 27 years of service, made shopping for and putting together the baskets her last official holiday task.

“I always enjoy making the kids happy,” said Singleton. “They need to be rewarded for making the effort to succeed. They come into the office to see their PO and if they do their community service, then yeah, it’s nice to have something for them during the holidays.”

Especially since most of them might not get an Easter basket otherwise.

This is just one of the services FWRCY does for parole youth. They provide funds for the holiday food baskets during Thanksgiving and Christmas as well school supplies during the Back to School Family Event.

Photo: PSA Leaner Singleton and P.O. Jeff Manuel filling the Easter buckets for the FWDO Parole youth.

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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