Giddings State School Family Worship Event

This past October, 136 members of Giddings youth’s families had the amazing opportunity to worship together with their loved ones at the first ever Family Worship Day Event held on the Giddings campus.

The event featured Christian rap artist Ivan Nacianceno, creator of Christ Like Music and Ministries out of Madisonville, Texas. Ivan shares his faith through captivating lyrics matched with undeniably catchy beats that youth, family members, and staff all enjoyed. Ivan pairs his musical gift with the inspirational message of his life story, which is easily relatable to our students.

Giddings State School staff Heather Brock (Family Liaison) and Thomas Merchant (Chaplain) did an incredible job of providing this opportunity to youth and their loved ones. The event was broken into two sessions to accommodate the overwhelming response from families. Youth were able to sit and worship with their parents, siblings, and other family members and some youth led prayers and devotionals during the service. Students whose families were unable to attend were provided the opportunity to attend themselves.

The response from both students and their families was exceptionally moving and evidenced the important impact these programs can and do have on the lives we strive to change.

“The kids have responded in great numbers,” said Chaplain Merchant. “We will have to do group class and then baptism for all those that have responded.”

Students and staff alike are looking forward to the next worship event and other exciting happenings on campus.

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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