Gainesville Celebrity Wait A Success

The Student Support Council for the Gainesville State School recently held their annual "Celebrity Wait" with a stellar roster of waiters. Local celebrities who pitched in to help raise funds included State Representative Drew Springer, City Manager Barry Sullivan, Sheriff Terry Gilbert, Director of Economic Development Arlene Loyd, and Texas Juvenile Justice Administrators Chip and Rebecca Walters.

Many other popular Cooke county residents such as Dr. Larry Sears, United Way Executive Director Angie Hare, First Presbyterian Minister John Hare, Abigail’s Arms Staff Maria Najera and Jessica Chambers, Gainesville State School Superintendent Mike Studamire, Assistant Superintendent Deidra Reece, and Chaplain Dennis Banks helped the cause and helped raise $2,700. The entertaining evening was held at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant.

One guest, Anita Schwartz, who was visiting from Austin exclaimed, "I have never seen so many happy people in one room! Everyone had a wonderful time and the food was delicious. It is always great to help a good cause."

The money will be used to purchase clothing, toiletries, and bags for youth, bus tickets for family members to visit youth, scholarships for college, graduation supplies, sports banquets, meals for youth who leave campus to play sports such as football, incentives for youth, success documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and state identification cards, and many other needed items.

PHOTO: State Representative Drew Springer serves Richard and Linda Lira at the Celebrity Wait held at Luigi’s Restaurant.

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.

Spring graduates celebrate achievements at TJJD's Lone Star High Schools

Dozens of young people are graduating at TJJD’s Lone Star high schools this spring – and two will receive a special recognition for having earned a “distinguished” academic diploma. Giddings State School spring 2019 graduation in April. All the TJJD graduates can rejoice in their accomplishments. Many of these youth were able to turn-around what had been a spotty or interrupted school record, fill in the gaps, and secure either their high school diploma or graduate equivalency certificate. Others were doing well in their home high school and simply crossed the finish line at TJJD. The two graduates receiving the special honor this graduation season attained a Distinguished Level of Achievement under the Texas Foundation High School program by completing advanced courses that exceeded those required for a high school diploma. These two young men, one at the McLennan County State Correctional Facility and the other at the Evins Juvenile Correctional Center sho...

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