Skip to main content

Evins Epiphany Retreat Another Success!

EDINBURG, Texas – Twenty-four youth volunteered to participate in a three-day Epiphany weekend retreat at Evins Regional Juvenile Center this summer. “This is a remarkable number of youth that decided to stay for the whole program”, said Evins Chaplain Luis Alvarado. Community Relations Coordinator Fidel Garcia added, “When you see this number of kids saying, ‘I like what I see and it keeps me focused and entertained while,’ that is a good thing.” Epiphany weekends are non-denominational retreats for the youth and are scheduled twice a year. The days are long, usually 12 hours of in-depth spiritual programing combined with music, singing, skits, meditation, scripture reading, board games, arts and crafts, and lots of different types of snacks and food throughout the retreat.

Eighteen-year-old Andrez who participated for the first time, said, “I think it was wonderful. People showed me they cared about us. These people don’t even know us and they showed us love. When it was over, I felt different; it moved me in a different direction and brought me closer to God.” Another  8-year-old, Brando, said, “I would thank them for showing me that I am loved and that people are caring for me and that God’s love is unconditional. I loved the games and the songs, and I even wrote a song and sang it to them. It is called ‘Shining On Me’ and it expresses my testimony of my life and my past and how God has forgiven and saved me.” Lastly, a 16-year-old from San Antonio who cannot be identified because of his age, said, “At first I went for the food. This one kid told me that there would be lots of food. So, I went. By the second day I was very interested in what they had to say and what was going on, and it was not about the food anymore. So, I stayed the three days. The whole thing just felt good!”

“I loved it! The boys were great! I'll be back again!”
-- New Epiphany Volunteer Diane Bleibdrey

Evins Superintendent Tamu Steptoe said, “I thank the volunteers for their unconditional dedication regarding helping these young men understand what they want, what they need, and feel who they are. That's an Epiphany.” A new volunteer to the group was Diane Bleibdrey who said, “I loved [the retreat] it! The boys were great! I'll be back again!”

This year, the lay director was volunteer Jeff Eaton assisted by Lay Director Olga Lozano and about 30 other volunteers. Volunteer Pastor Graciano Castaneda is the leader of the Church of Acts organizing the weekend retreats with the assistance of Epiphany Ministries of Texas. After the retreat,  he volunteers will follow up with the boys once a month until the youth is home.

The next volunteer retreat is an Acts Retreat in November sponsored by the Catholic Dioceses of Brownsville and the Christ on the Cross group from our Lady of Sorrows.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

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
Read more

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
Read more

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.
Read more