President’s Volunteer Service Awards

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department presented the President’s Volunteer Service Awards to 184 of the agency’s most active volunteers. The awards are given in recognition of 100 or more service hours during a twelve month time period. This year’s award recipients collectively contributed a total of 33,894 hours of service to our youth. Six volunteers earned the Gold Medal award by each contributing more than 500 hours. Twenty-six volunteers earned the Silver Medal award by each contributing between 250 and 500 hours of service. The remaining award recipients earned the Bronze Level award for contributing between 100 and 249 hours of service. Each volunteer will receive a letter and a personalized certificate from President Barack Obama recognizing their distinguished service.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is the premier volunteer awards program, encouraging United States citizens through presidential recognition to live a life of service. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation established the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to recognize and honor Americans who inspire others to engage in selfless service. The program continues as an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

TJJD has participated in the President’s Volunteer Service Awards for eight consecutive years. The following volunteers earned the Silver and Gold Medal awards this year:

GOLD MEDALS (More than 500 hours of volunteer service to TJJD)

Diana Leggett, Gainesville State School
Judy Davis, Gainesville State School
Loretta Felderhoff, Gainesville State School
Nancy Voss, Gainesville State School
Brian McCann, McLennan County SJCF
Ernie Black, McFadden Ranch

SILVER MEDALS (Between 250-499 hours of volunteer service to TJJD)

Anna Jackson, Ron Jackson SJCF
Claude Jackson, Ron Jackson SJCF
Donald Newsom, Ron Jackson SJCF
James Kit Dean, Ron Jackson SJCF
MaryAnn Rowan, Ron Jackson SJCF
Nimitr Weropas, Ron Jackson SJCF
Paola Guzman, Ron Jackson SJCF
Bettie Washington, Gainesville State School
Bob Voss, Gainesville State School
Gary Carlson, Gainesville State School
Jane Talcott, Gainesville State School
Jerome Voth, Gainesville State School
William West, Gainesville State School
Jalyn Demerson, Houston Parole
Jerome Johnson, Houston Parole
Barry Hanson, McLennan County SJCF
Dennis Rejcek, McLennan County SJCF
Doris Herbert, McLennan County SJCF
Paul Henry, McLennan County SJCF
Kelsey O’Toole, McFadden Ranch
Maria Barron, McFadden Ranch
Matthew Williams, McFadden Ranch
Shirley Stephens, McFadden Ranch
Sylvia Rodriguez, McFadden Ranch
Ernesto Hall, Schaeffer HWH
Valarie Thomas, Schaeffer HWH

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. ...

Spring graduates celebrate achievements at TJJD's Lone Star High Schools

Dozens of young people are graduating at TJJD’s Lone Star high schools this spring – and two will receive a special recognition for having earned a “distinguished” academic diploma. Giddings State School spring 2019 graduation in April. All the TJJD graduates can rejoice in their accomplishments. Many of these youth were able to turn-around what had been a spotty or interrupted school record, fill in the gaps, and secure either their high school diploma or graduate equivalency certificate. Others were doing well in their home high school and simply crossed the finish line at TJJD. The two graduates receiving the special honor this graduation season attained a Distinguished Level of Achievement under the Texas Foundation High School program by completing advanced courses that exceeded those required for a high school diploma. These two young men, one at the McLennan County State Correctional Facility and the other at the Evins Juvenile Correctional Center sho...

Texas Juvenile Law, 9th Edition Publication Released

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is proud to release Texas Juvenile Law, 9th Edition. For more than 30 years, this publication has served as a comprehensive reference guide on statutes, case decisions and procedures affecting the day-to-day operations of the juvenile justice system. The Office of General Counsel – Legal Education and Technical Assistance has continued its tradition of collaborating with guest contributors to update the book originally written by the late Dr. Robert O. Dawson, former Bryant Smith Chair in Law at the University of Texas School of Law. Get your copy now! For the first time, The Texas Juvenile Law, 9th Edition will be available for purchase from an online vendor. Click here to order directly from the online Book Shop. USE COUPON CODE TJJD11209 for a 50% Discount. TJJD will no longer distribute or process sales of printed copies. Digital Download. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department has expanded its cou...

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