Willoughby House Participates in Re-entry Week

Willoughby House hosted a Reentry Appreciation event for youth to commemorate the U.S. Justice Department’s designation of April 24-30 as National Re-entry Week.

Superintendent Diane Eunice said, “We wanted to recognize youth who had attained various achievements while at TJJD, such a getting a job, earning a GED or High School Diploma, earning college credits from Navarro College, completing community service hours and obtaining vocational certifications. The youth received a certificate, cake and ice cream and most importantly applause and cheers from their peers and staff.”

The event was spearheaded by Workforce Reentry Specialist Christi Villegas who plans to collaborate with Willoughby House and make National Reentry Week an annual event while highlighting youth who have been engaged in constructive activities that will benefit them once they are released back into the community.

Felicia Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent said, “The youth really appreciated being celebrated for their achievements and it served as motivation, for them to keep working hard and investing in themselves, so that they can transition from Willoughby with tools that will be useful to them.”
Ms. Villegas comes to Willoughby House twice a month and works with the youth on employment skills.

“Next year, with Ms. Villegas help, we hope to expand this event and make it even more special for the youth,” Ms. Eunice said. “We continually stress to them how important it is to take advantage of all the opportunities and resources that are provided to them so that they can be more prepared for life outside of TJJD. For us, that’s what National Reentry is all about – getting our youth prepared for their second chance.”

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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