TJJD News & Announcements

SAN ANTONIO – Ayres Halfway House youth participated in a two-day Ministries Of the Third Cross Retreat on Dec. 17, 2017. Members of the MOTTC group treated the youth to uplifting fellowship, music, and worship. The retreat members volunteered their time to cook for, serve and lift up our young men in an incredibly powerful way, that even brought the shyest youth out of their shell. At the end of the retreat the group members surprised the youth with Christmas gifts for each young man in the house.  All youth in the program participated and even lead prayers and songs. Many MOTTC members asked to sign on to volunteer with our agency to mentor in the future. It was a wonderful experience for all and they have already began the process of returning for a full, four-day retreat in the summer.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Ayres House and Volunteer Council for TX Youth in San Antonio received a special gift on the eve of its annual Christmas dinner for the youth and staff. New volunteer Karen Grady, inspired from her past six months of volunteering at the halfway house, shared her experience with her friends. These goodhearted friends in turn provided two donations from Stone Oak Rotary and Cheryl Armstrong. The donations, valued at $1,000, helped provide Christmas gifts for youth at Ayres house. Photo: Volunteer Johnny Cuellar helps serve Ayres House youth and staff at the Christmas dinner.

DALLAS, Texas – Giving to others to create smiles was the purpose of youth at Cottrell House making Christmas ornaments to donate to the children at Scottish Rite Hospital. The youth at Cottrell House wanted to make Christmas special for young children that were unable to spend Christmas at home. Volunteer Shellita Garrett was excited to work with youth to help them design special Christmas ornaments to put smiles on the faces of children. When other volunteers heard about the youth plans of donating ornaments, they were excited to assist. Shellita supplied paints, glitter, and clear Christmas ornaments. The youth supplied the creativity and designs for each ornament. Once all the ornaments were completed, the Iron Guardians took the ornaments to the Scottish Rite Hospital so that the children could smile. Cottrell House youth did more than just create ornaments for children; they learned that working together for a greater good is powerful. They had so much fun that they wanted to c...