AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Visit Mart Youth

On Saturday, September 26th, the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary visited the Mart facility, and delivered an “Americanism” presentation to a select group of youth. The purpose of the Saturday Enhancement Activities are to provide opportunities for youth to learn and participate in activities that will help to enhance career development, employability skills, self-sufficiency, family reintegration and self-advocacy. These activities also provide positive behavior incentives for youth, and aid in population management on the weekends.

AMVETS is a volunteer organization made up entirely of veterans. They were the first World War II organization to be chartered by Congress. President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216 chartering AMERICAN VETERANS WORLD WAR II on December 10, 1944. The local chapters of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary work in five main areas of service: Scholarship, Hospital, Child Welfare, Community Service, and of course Americanism. Each local Auxiliary completes independent projects for their community as well as participating in projects for their State Level and National Auxiliaries.

During their visit with Mart youth, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary members spent a several hours teaching the youth how to tie blankets which had been purchased and cut by the Auxiliary members. The blankets will be given to hospitalized veterans at the Temple Veterans Affairs hospital who require the use of wheelchairs. The veterans will use the blankets to cover their legs and keep warm this winter and will appreciate that the youth volunteered their time to help make someone else more comfortable.

The Auxiliary 76 ladies will be back at Mart again during the Christmas holiday season, hosting one or more of the facility’s Christmas parties. They also plan to bring their “Americanism” program to more Mart youth in February showing the young men what the veterans did for our country. The Auxiliary 76 ladies greatly enjoyed working with TJJD youth and learned as much from the youth as the youth learned from them.

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

DENTON, Texas -- The Kiwanis Club of Denton recognized nine youth from McFadden Ranch who earned their high school diploma or equivalency by inviting them to their April 17 noon meeting and luncheon where they were awarded $50 each for their trust fund. Spearheaded by JCO IV Gregory Winn, a longstanding member of the Kiwanis Club of Denton, the event was truly memorable for the youth who attended. They heard a motivational and moving presentation by Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, who completed the Greatest Endurance Challenge – the World Marathon Challenge – tackling seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. He took the challenge after being inspired by Jonny Wade, a 7-year-old boy who battled pediatric cancer and had only one wish – ‘that no other kid ever gets cancer.’ Wade’s death led to the creation of Pediatric Cancer Foundation for which Fallon raised over $250,000 so far. Fallon, who represents a portion of Denton County, said the takeaway from his experience is that we

IN MEMORY AND APPRECIATION: Trayce Haynes Alexander

Trayce Haynes Alexander, of Cat Spring, Texas passed away in April. She was a JCO IV at the Giddings State School and began her employment with the Texas Youth Commission on January 5, 2009, as a JCO III. She was promoted to a JCO IV on April 1, 2010. Trayce was a hardworking, loyal and dedicated staff member and friend. Her number one priority was the youth in her dorm and she would drive one hour and forty minutes everyday (even in ill health) to try to make a difference in the lives of the youth she worked with. She was well respected by both staff and youth due to her extraordinary work ethic. The boys could always depend on her to hold them accountable. She is survived by her husband Geoff Alexander and two daughters, Kristyn and Robyn Alexander. Trayce was born on September 3, 1952. She earned a BS from Southwest Texas State University in Law Enforcement.

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