TJJD News & Announcements

GIDDINGS, Texas – “Fill the Gap” was the theme for Giddings State School’s second Bill Glass Behind the Walls event held on Feb. 9. For the opening act, a two-man dance group named M.A.D.N.E.S.S. entertained the students. The group’s quirky humor and inspiring stories of finding faith drew the youth’s full attention. The group wrapped up with a heartfelt rap about God, faith, and staying strong on their paths. The keynote presenter was Keith Davis, ex-NFL defensive back for the New York Giants who also played with USC in two Rose Bowl championships. Davis, who lives in Dallas, used stories from his own childhood and from playing football to teach youth about faith and finding God. Davis expertly used the reference “fill the gap,” which is frequently used in football for defensive plays, to teach youth that they have to fill their own gap and they should do so by believing and trusting that God will help them find their way. Davis also wowed the audience with feats of strength inc

Parole Officer Van Foster was the August 2017 recipient of the TJJD Employee Excellence Award. Van began his employment with the agency in September of 1995 as a Program Administrator and is currently a Parole Officer III. Executive Director David Reilly said, “We want to publicly thank Van for his commitment, dedication, initiative, and excellence to the agency. We encourage all of you to express your appreciation to him, as well.” What enticed you to become a Parole Officer? I knew becoming a parole officer would allow me to be involved in shaping the lives of children and families in their communities of origin. What drives you to do a good job? I want all children to know that there are people in this world that really have their best interest at heart. I want the youth I serve to be successfully reintegrated into their families and communities so that the children have opportunities to create a new path. If I tie youth and families to community resources, opportunities for

This is a message from Shirley Stephens as she steps down as Team Lead for the G3 Juvenile Prison Ministry at McFadden Ranch. She will continue to mentor and help at special events. “In 2013 I got a horseshoe and a cross from Connie Redford (retired Community and Family Relations Coordinator for North Texas/Tarrant County/Fort Worth) for volunteering. The end of that year Anne Ashton gave me the keys to the ranch when I took her place over G3 volunteers. Tonight , last Monday, 7/24/2017, the Council gave me roses in a boot to remember the ranch. These are some of my treasures!"

By Jennifer Jenson, Denton County Juvenile Probation Department Working in the juvenile justice field, most cases are the same yet all cases are different. A juvenile may not have good role models as parents, the family living situation has changed or is chaotic, one or neither parent is present, the juvenile has limited intellectual ability, or the juvenile has succumbed to alcohol and drugs or possibly gang activity. Generally, a juvenile will fall into one or all of these scenarios. For Jasmin Williams (not her real name), most of these situations applied to her juvenile case. At a very early age, Jasmin was removed from her mother and father and she was adopted by her mother’s father. The mother and father had an extensive history of drug use and criminal activity. The grandfather provided for both Jasmin and her older brother. Some extended family on Jasmin’s mother’s side provided support as well. The grandfather, brother, and Jasmin found their way to Denton, Texas from Wisc

HOUSTON, Texas – Current and former TJJD youth participated at a panel discussion at Texas Southern University, sharing their life stories and testimonies of how they overcame their past. The panel was part of a Youth Drug Prevention Seminar which featured a screening of the documentary film “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict.” Pictured from left to right are: Houston District Office Parole Officer L’ Sandra Tutson, Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments staff member Krystin Porter, Houston District Office Family & Community Relations Coordinator Sherrell D. Kivumbi, current TJJD youth DP, and former youth EG and LJ.

HARLINGEN, Texas – Tamayo House celebrated Red Ribbon week in November by celebrating the hashtag #YOLO! “You only live once, live it drug free.” Each day, the youth where reminded about being drug free with ribbons, bookmarks and a #YOLO party at the end of the week. During the week, four boys from Tamayo House volunteered to share their personal stories at two middle schools in the community. They reached over 300 students with their message of choosing a drug-free life. Several of boys commented they were nervous speaking to so many people but in the end hoped they made a difference in someone’s life. Photo: Four Tamayo House youth share their personal stories at a local middle school.