White was 14 when he and a group of teenagers were found responsible for the death of a man during a robbery. He was committed to one of TJJD’s predecessor agency, the Texas Youth Commission, until his 21st birthday. During that time, White admits that he was a difficult youth, often involved in disturbances and fights. But he acknowledges that he was given a second chance during that time, and that the influences of the adults he interacted with daily while at Giddings was instrumental in his 180 degree turnaround. White has since dedicated his activities to reaching out to other at-risk and incarcerated youth, encouraging them with his personal success story and the idea that it is never too late to turn your life around.
During the morning-long assembly in the Giddings gymnasium, these former youth, many of whom travelled from across Texas to be there, talked about their life-changing time at Giddings and how they were able to turn their lives around. All speakers described familiar patterns in their lives leading up to their Giddings stay – neglected at home, a lack of empathy and respect, hanging out with the wrong crowds and an inability to connect with society. Most acknowledged they were at Giddings for truly horrific crimes and were unable to fully grasp their true impact of their actions. All cited their time at the Giddings campus and, more specifically the people who worked with them on a daily basis, as a pivotal period of their lives which enabled them to move forward, become mothers and fathers, and play productive roles in their communities.
The returnees also spoke directly to the staff and former staff that were assembled to hear them speak. Nearly every speaker spoke of a specific staff member who stood with them during their incarceration, providing tough love, guidance and hope when those qualities were most needed.
Current Giddings youth also heard the HYPE message about the possibility of redemption and the importance of using their time in TJJD to develop the tools that will serve them when they return to their communities.
“It’s not too late for you,” White said. “No one is exempt from God’s love.”
Johnathan Silver with the Texas Tribune covered the HYPE event. Read Johnathan Silver’s article at: www.texastribune.org/2015/09/27/former-juvenile-offenders-paying-it-forward/
PHOTO: Former Giddings youth returned to campus as adults to thank staff members and encourage current youth.