Global Youth Service Day Cottrell House and Dallas Parole

Cottrell House youth turned their focus to helping those in the community most in need of a helping hand as part of their Global Youth Service Day activities. As they considered the homeless people in their community and their daily struggle, they decided that they could help provide them with a sense of worth and know that they are not alone. The youth made 55 gift bags filled with water, towels, granola bars, chips, tooth paste and tooth brushes, Christian literature and resource information.

Youth thought about friends that they knew that were homeless and things that could have helped them. While they understood that the items in the bags were not going to solve the issue of homelessness, the youth wanted the homeless to know that someone truly cares about them. Youth delivered the items to the Salvation Army and received a tour of their facility to learn about the different programs available to help the homeless. Youth were amazed at how many individuals are homeless. They learned that the Salvation Army provides shelter to over 300 individuals every night. Youth then worked in the kitchen and fed about 200 individuals that afternoon.

Youth DP stated, “These items are just a little something to help them. I wish I could do more because I do not want anyone to starve or feel lonely.”

Youth JW stated, “Wow and this is just one shelter in Dallas. This is a real problem. That’s a lot of people.”

JCO VI Stephen Miles stated, “This is good for the youth to see so that they can understand that there are people in this world struggle to do better and with help they accomplish just that.”

Youth also wanted to learn more about HIV and AIDS. The Dallas Resource Center came to Cottrell House to educate the youth on the virus. Youth learned the difference between HIV and AIDS. They also learned the different ways to contract the virus and how to protect themselves.

The Dallas Resource center has new building and youth in on parole in Dallas decided to paint motivating canvas pictures to hang on their walls. The Resource Center was excited to accept the paintings.

PHOTO: A Cottrell House youth works the food service line at the Salvation Army.

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 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.

Canyon Lake Evening Reporting Center

When Comal County Juvenile Probation Chief Kris Johnson joined the department in March 2011, he brought with him a long-term vision to open an Evening Reporting Center (ERC) in the county. ERCs, which require youth offenders to report to specified locations during evening hours for programming, skills building and community service, were first used in Chicago, where juvenile justice advocates needed after school programs to keep their higher risk kids from getting involved in the gang scene. They also serve as an alternative to detention pending a youth’s hearings. ERCs have become common detention alternatives in many communities throughout the United States and are based on research and best practices recognized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Johnson believed implementing an ERC in Comal County would reduce juvenile crime by providing supervision during the hours crime is most likely to occur. Additionally, it could significantly reduce the cost of deten...

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