Dallas Chef nurtures at-risk youth at upscale restaurant

Chef Chad Houser of Dallas became a “CNN Hero” last week, featured in an article and video that highlights his work with Dallas County at-risk youth.

The many other heroes of the story are the dozens of young men and women who’ve lifted themselves up and found a path toward a lawful life and productive career by training in the culinary arts under Houser’s tutelage.

Their story is one of working together for success. It starts in 2011, when Houser began volunteering to teach kids in Dallas County juvenile detention how to cook. He discovered that many of the youth had simply failed to draw the best cards in life; they’d endured poverty, violence and had veered into crime. Their stories drew Houser in and he built the program up to became a full-fledged enterprise in which at-risk youth work alongside professionals at a high end restaurant, Café Momentum, in the heart of downtown Dallas.

Café Momentum is truly upscale, with the requisite elements, like $40 bottles of wine and exotic hors d’oeuvres such as Octapus Tiradito. There’s farro risotto, and creamed Swiss chard, and spaghetti squash and green harissa and other things you go to restaurants to learn about.

But the cafe operates as a non-profit and its goals are down to earth. The money raised at dinners (served Thursday, Friday and Saturday) supports 12-month paid internships for young men and women who’ve served time in Dallas County juvenile facilities. The youth learn culinary skills and other aspects of the restaurant business and are required to enroll in regular education classes.

Read the full CNN story here.
Watch the CNN video here.

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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