Texas Youth Commission Executive Director Cherie Townsend and TYC board member Larry Carroll were in Brownwood Saturday to hear from community leaders, local TYC employees, and members of the public on why the local TYC facilities are an asset to the community. State Representative Jim Keffer was also in attendance as well as staff members for State Senator Troy Fraser.
Current and projected budget shortfalls, along with reduced youth populations, will force TYC to close up to three of its 10 secure facilities across the state. This meeting was Brownwood’s chance to not only show why the area needs the two TYC facilities, but the benefits to TYC for being here. More than 200 people attended the four hour meeting, with many making the case for Brownwood.
The first two hours of the meeting allowed employees of the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex as well as volunteers and members of the public to plead their case to state officials not to close the Brownwood units. Several members of the audience addressed Townsend and Carroll directly, outlining how Brownwood’s location and the people that live here are some of the biggest advantages to keeping the Ron Jackson units open.
A parade of volunteers outlined the special programs offered to the students at the TYC facilities, many of which are unique to the area. One parent of a student at the Ron Jackson Unit 1 showed her appreciation for these many programs and how they are improving her daughter’s life.
“She has the opportunity to have something like a normal high school experience that she might not have had if she hadn’t been in a facility like this,” she said about her daughter.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes summed up many of these feelings in a presentation expanding on the benefits to TYC from Brownwood’s location, its people, and volunteer programs.
“Brownwood’s central location, while yet a simple point, is very very important,” said Haynes. “Our location is simply superior to all the other locations and frankly invaluable in maintaining a statewide facility.”
Haynes also emphasized another important consideration focusing on the people and workforce of the community.
“In Brownwood, we believe in consistency and longevity,” Haynes said. “And what I think that represents, is that our workforce, and our community, and our people are simply more dedicated, more loyal, and less transient than the state average. And I think that is a credit to our people and our employees at the Ron Jackson facility.”
Haynes also expanded on earlier points made on the active volunteerism that helps make the Brownwood TYC facilities different from many of the others across the state.
“In 2010, the Brownwood Ron Jackson unit had 10,753 hours of time volunteered to the improving student population,” Haynes said. “Upon request, I was provided with a list of programs that’s four pages long.”
Haynes also outlined several volunteer programs implemented specifically at the Ron Jackson units such as participation of the Girl Scouts and the PAWS program.
Speaking to TYC officials, Haynes said, “What I hope you take away from this presentation is that Brownwood is a blessing to your students and one that the TYC folks cannot afford to lose…I do not believe you will find another community that has Brownwood’s spirit of cooperation or its compassion for your students.”
Many other representatives from local organizations outlined what the TYC facilities mean to the area in regards to economic impact, outreach programs, and partnerships. Officials from Howard Payne University, the 4-H Center, Brown County, Ranger College, and TSTC all outlined how their organizations reach-out and benefit from the TYC presence in Brown County.
TYC representatives will spend the next two months traveling to each of the ten cities where TYC schools are located. Residents of each city will be able to speak out for their school just like they did in Brownwood today.
“The Brownwood community has been very supportive partner of the Texas Youth Commission for many years,” TYC Executive Director Cherie Townsend said. “As we make some very difficult funding decisions, I believe it is important to hear from the people who could be most affected by these closures.”
The facility currently houses around 200 kids ranging from 10 to 19 years old and is considered the last line of defense for kids who have committed at least one felony. If the Ron Jackson units are selected for closure, it would affect around 400 jobs in the area.
The state legislature is expected to announce which facilities of the Texas Youth Commission will close in the next few months as they continue to work though the budget process.
Top photo shows Townsend and Carroll listening to the public as they make a case to keep the Ron Jackson Units in Brownwood open.
See Mayor Stephen Haynes full presentation on video below.
{denvideo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGestcczWtw 400 300 }
