Members of the Evins Volunteer Council and Tamayo Halfway House-Volunteer Resource Council for Valley Youth met recently to change their by-laws to incorporate Tamayo House youth also as part of the Evins Council’s mission. Standing back row left to right are Evins Council Members; Ignacio Estorga, Larry Keatts, Johnny Rodriguez (Vice-President), and Raul Arredondo (President). Front row left to right is Dr. Kathy Dittman (Tamayo Council-Treasurer), and Evins Council Members, Leo Rodriguez, Irma Guzman and Ricardo Garcia. The Evins Volunteer Council is an IRS non-profit, 501 (C) 3 organization and is incorporated with the State of Texas.
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. ...