TJJD News & Announcements

Painting walls, laying tile and planting flowers are more than home repairs, according to Reggie Hill, mentor and volunteer instructor for “Home Repairs Made Easy,” the 2018 State Volunteer Resource Council 2018 grant awarded to Willoughby House.  “It needs a better name,” he said about his program, which teaches youth about flooring, painting and landscaping. “They’re learning construction, commercial property repair skills,” Hill said. Youth who complete the 12-week program, taught in 4-week long sessions, can earn three Certificates of Completion for Commercial Repairs 101 (in flooring, painting or landscaping or all three).   They’ve learned to install tiles, wood and carpet flooring using measuring tapes.  Their math skills have improved as well, as they have to figure how much material to get for each room and take other measurements. The painting classes consist of learning not only how much paint to buy but which paint and paint brush is best for the j...

This year’s winners of the Innovation Grants include practical new programs that will help TJJD youth learn how to make simple house repairs, maintain cars and improve their physical fitness and emotional well-being. The grants, which total $10,000, are made possible by the State Volunteer Resource Council for Texas Youth. Judges report they had a difficult task winnowing the many deserving proposals to the eight winning projects announced last week. Here are the winners: HOME REPAIR MADE EASY (WILLOUGHBY HALFWAY HOUSE) Grant Award: $700 In this project, community volunteers will teach the youth at the halfway house how to make simple home repairs through hands-on learning. They will focus on repairing floors, drywall and painting, and landscaping, and youth will complete a 12-week course. Grant funds will be used to purchase supplies, equipment and tools for the repair projects. CAR SMART (MCFADDEN RANCH) Grant Award: $500 Community volunteers will te...

Bill Glass Ministries, “Behind the Walls,” held a Day of Champions on July 15, 2017, at 12 juvenile correction facilities in North Texas, ten county facilities and two state halfway houses – McFadden Ranch and Willoughby House. The evangelism event allowed “platform speakers” and “teammates” to address youth at the facilities with a message of hope and forgiveness. The platform speakers were especially inspiring and motivational. NASCAR Driver William Blakely and evangelist Sandy Boyd spoke at McFadden Ranch, and USC football star and current NFL free agent Dominic Miller and “I Am Second” representative Karen Green spoke at Willoughby House. The Men’s Biker Bible Study and the Women of Valor from the First General Baptist Church of Irving were the teammates at McFadden Ranch. In addition to their message, they shared a pizza lunch with all of the youth. Blakely and the Bikers roared into McFadden Ranch early Saturday morning with motors revving and burning rubber, as they put on...

FORT WORTH, Texas – Willoughby House youth are gaining a new and valuable skill thanks to the efforts of JCO IV Christopher Golden. Mr. Golden has created a woodworking class for youth who are interested in refurbishing furniture. Mr. Golden said he initiated this project because, “I wanted to provide the guys with an opportunity to stay busy and learn a craft, which they can later use as an opportunity to generate income. One youth has expressed to me that he wants to pursue this as a possible career, since he enjoys it so much.” Mr. Golden has donated most of the supplies, such as a sander, paint, stain, paintbrushes, and other items as needed to complete the projects. So far, the youth have completed two end tables, a card table, and they are currently working on refurbishing the television stand in the facility. Other staff have donated items for the youth to work on as well. Mr. Golden stated that this was a craft that he’s been doing for the past ten years and wanted to g...

FORT WORTH, Texas – On Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 Willoughby House youth attended a Breakfast with the Brother’s from the Potter’s House, Fort Worth. TX. The Deacons and youth shared a breakfast but the men shared wisdom as well. They encouraged the youth to consider entrepreneurship when they think about their future. Several Deacons spoke from personal experience, about how they started and continue to maintain specific businesses – ranging from construction and water removal/janitorial services to BBQ restaurants and barbershops. One Deacon discussed being a published author and encouraged the youth to write their own story. In addition, several discussed how they dealt with peer pressure and learned to NOT follow the crowd but think for themselves. But this wasn’t their first meeting. These men also provided Thanksgiving dinner for the youth as well. The Potter’s House Fort Worth, under the leadership of Pastor Patrick Winfield has become instrumental in helping the youth...