Gainesville State School Celebrates 100 Years of Service

The Gainesville State School celebrated its 100 year anniversary on September 30, 2016.

The Gainesville campus celebrated the event with a ceremony that included a proclamation delivered by Gainesville Mayor Jim Goldsworthy declaring September 30 to be "Gainesville State School Day." One of the new sights on campus was a train engine constructed and painted by welding instructors and students. Also on display was the newly painted windmill adorned with a tornado.

A group of youth known as "Twelve" provided music during the ceremony. Executive Director David Reilly and Director of Programs and Facilities Teresa Stroud were in attendance and participated in the event, helping to bury a time capsule filled with present day photographs and memorabilia. It will be opened in 50 years.

Gainesville State School was originally opened as the Texas State Training School for Girls in 1916 with an enrollment of 18 girls. In 1948, the school was renamed Gainesville State School for Girls and in 1957, the 55th Texas Legislature transferred the school to the Texas Youth Council.

In 1971, the school became a co-educational juvenile correctional facility under the Texas Youth Commission. In 1988, the facility became a boys-only institution. Today, the school is operated by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and houses more than 200 young men. The school offers a robust menu of programming for young offenders, including a Sexual Behavior Treatment Program, and Alcohol and Other Drugs program, Violent Offender Program, Pairing Achievement With Service canine program, and the agency’s Capstone program.

For 100 years, the Gainesville State School has been working to improve the lives of Texas youth. It remains a vital part of the Gainesville and TJJD communities.

PHOTO: From left to right: Gainesville State School Superintendent Mike Studamire, TJJD Director of State Programs Teresa Stroud, TJJD Executive Director David Reilly and Gainesville Mayor Jim Goldsworthy use golden shovels to bury the Gainesville State School time capsule.

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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