TJJD News & Announcements

By Y. Denise Caldwell Community and Family Relations Coordinator FORT WORTH, Texas - TJJD youth on parole in the Northern Region received certificates and replicas of the Martin Luther King National Monument for submitting and completing award-winning essays about Martin Luther King, Jr.   Dr. King delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington on the National Mall. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) The three youth, T.F., K.L., and M.J. shared their thoughts and feelings in heartfelt essays that expressed admiration for King and how his life inspires them to want to achieve success. The winning essays included a wealth of information about Dr. King, highlighting his self-sacrifice and fortitude. M.J. noted in his essay that Martin Luther King Jr. once went to jail in Montgomery, Alabama, for driving 30 mph in a 25 mph zone, and in total was jailed 29 times for  “defending what he believed in, an equal government, and for everyone, the rights to freedom.

By Vanessa Bell VISTA Intern – TJJD MART, Texas – Dozens of family members recently reunited with their youth at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility for the first “Family Day” of 2019. The event’s theme was “Winter Wonderland,” so chili was served, games were snowman-themed, and the decorations were blue and white to give the event a wintery feeling. A sister joyfully greets her brother while their grandfather looks on. Despite the theme being a cold winter wonderland, the vibe throughout the gym was warm and welcoming. Family members laughed with their youth, while enjoying a warm bowl of chili and corn chips. Many got their pictures taken and played games as well. Family Days are held quarterly at all TJJD secure facilities, creating a safe haven where families can just be silly and have fun together and enjoy being a family again, which is the main goal. For some families at Mart, this was their first time coming to an event like this