GIDDINGS, Texas – Youthful offenders honored their mentors at an appreciation dinner at the Giddings State School in late December. About 40 youth served the mentors a barbecue dinner, then dine with the 20 or so mentors who came to the evening program.
Several youth paid tribute to the volunteers.
“I appreciate mentors for coming out because they don’t have to do it,” said one young man. “This is free time for them, time out of their days and away from their families.”
Said another, “Because we’re separated from family, the people who come out and talk to us become family. You find out you can trust people and people do help you even though they are strangers.
“You get closer and start knowing them and you become family,” the youth said. “This is what mentors are to me. They’re someone you can trust, rely on, and always look to for help.”
Giddings Superintendent Jorge Gonzalez, Giddings Chaplain Frederick Horton, and Suzanne Scharle from Community Programs in Austin attended.
TJJD is looking for additional mentors to work with our youth. If you're interested in mentoring youth at TJJD, please contact Tammy Holland, manager of Community Programs, in Austin at Tammy.Holland@TJJD.Texas.Gov or Anita Schwartz, community relations coordinator for the Giddings State School, at Anita.Schwartz@TJJD.Texas.Gov.