‘Men of Distinction’ Deliver Valentine Sweets to Nursing Home

GAINESVILLE, Texas – The Gainesville State School “Men Of Distinction” arose early on Valentine’s Day, with one thing on their minds: To bake valentines cookies.

The cookies they prepared were oval shaped sugar cookies adorned with red and pink hearts. The youth collected them into little red gift bags with a shimmery gloss. They added three chocolate heart shaped valentine candies to each carefully packaged bag, taking pride in ensuring each one was just right.

They arrived at the Pecan Creek Nursing and Rehab center in Gainesville with their goodies in tow. They met up with the Activity Coordinator Meagan Arrington who identified the residents who could have a goodie bag. Gainesville Dorm Supervisor Carla Lane said the residents were very excited to see the boys and find out that they were bringing Valentine’s Day gifts. “Are those for us?, I haven’t had a sweet in a long time,” said one of the residents.

The young men presented each of 25 residents with a gift bag. They sat and chatted with several of the older people. The Men of Distinction youth, who are 18 and nearing their time of release, earn the privilege to participate in the program, which focuses on living skills for when they are on their own. They learn about cooking, writing resumes and maintaining finances. They were excited to visit the nursing residence and said they can’t wait for their next visit when they plan to build a set of raised flower beds, enabling the nursing home residents to garden.

The visit made an impact. One of the students reports that he wants to become a registered nurse and would love to do his internship at a nursing care center.

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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