TJJD News & Announcements

By Y. Denise Caldwell  Community and Family Relations Coordinator  TJJD Parole - Northern District  “My other son can come too?” an excited mom asked after learning that the YouthBuild program accepted youth of all ages. Frank Kuykendahl of YouthBuild addresses youth and parents. “What do I have to do next?” one youth asked, when she realized that she could get assistance to pursue her dream of becoming a phlebotomist. Both were attending the recent 2019 Fort Worth Parole Family Resource Fair, an event dedicated to providing parole youth and their families with information about all of the resources available to them in the community. The invited guests included not only YouthBuild, but Job Corps, Redemption Bridge, WorkForce and MHMR of Tarrant County -- all services that can help youth build skills and connections to become a success in the working world. In addition, TJJD Ombudsman Allen Wallace and Reentry Specialist Angela Barry shared information about their service

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