Press Release – Texas Juvenile Justice Department – Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex (RJSJCC) rolled out the red carpet to celebrate the volunteers who serve at the facility and Brownwood Halfway House. Brownwood Oscars Night was the theme during the 21st volunteer banquet held on September 14, 2017. This annual event honors all the volunteers who spend countless hours on the RJSJCC campus and Brownwood Halfway House performing duties such as mentoring, tutoring, leading religious study groups, providing worship services, and/or being members of the Community Resource Council. Several were recognized for their outstanding service during the course of a year in various categories.
April Jameson, RJSJCC superintendent, and Jarome Finley, Superintendent of the Brownwood Halfway House, welcomed some of the 250 active volunteers who spend thousands of hours of service at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex. In fiscal year 2017, volunteers gave 6,489 hours of their time.
Tammy Holland, Manager of Community, Family & Chaplaincy Programs, addressed those in attendance about the exciting programs and initiatives in TJJD and the many opportunities volunteers have to make a difference in the lives of the TJJD youth.
Chaplain Rongey Madlock gave the invocation, and a wonderful catered dinner from Cook’s Fish Barn was served. As guests enjoyed their dinner, the TJJD “Chosen Ones” choir performed a song selection. The PAWS program students took center stage demonstrating the abilities of a trained dog. They also discussed the amount of time and hard work required to train a dog. Tara Williams, case manager, wrote and recited a poem entailed “The Description of a Volunteer” to round out the evening’s entertainment.
Ms. Jameson opened the first awards envelope of the night, naming Sandy Alexander Outstanding Mentor of the Year. Ms. Alexander is very dedicated to the youth at TJJD as she drives from Arlington at least once a week to mentor youth and lead a group about social skills and mentoring relationships.
Mr. Finley was honored to announce the selection of Becky Reynolds for the Volunteer Achievement award . Ms. Reynolds has been volunteering since 2008, as an Epiphany ministry volunteer and Secretary of the Community Resource Council, while also assisting in the Community Relations Coordinator’s office and with Family Days.
Penny Riggs, Community Relations Coordinator, presented the Individual Volunteer of the Year award to Mark Ferraro. He currently serves as a mentor, a chaplaincy volunteer, and Vice-President of the Community Resource Council r. Since Mr. Ferraro started volunteering in 2014, he has provided 315 hours of service to the TJJD youth.
Chaplain Rongey Madlock presented the Chaplaincy Volunteer Award to Brian Allen. Mr. Allen leads religious services on two dorms, and youth look forward to spending time with him. He assists with dorm Christmas parties and summer cookouts, and has recruited numerous men from his church to volunteer on the dorms.
Kevelle Bailey, Family Liaison, presented the Family Volunteer Award to George & Kathy Nowowiejski, who provide mentoring and tutoring, and participate in Ministry of the Third Cross retreats and other religious activities, and family day events.
Chaplain Rongey Madlock presented the Group Award to Coggin Avenue Baptist Church for their outstanding work conducting Vacation Bible School at the facility, providing chaplaincy services, promoting and participating in the mentoring program. The church donates Bibles and its members are always asking how else they may help.
Penny Riggs announced the award for Employee-Volunteer to Kyle Oxford, a young man who leads weekly Bible studies. The lives of the young women and men he comes in contact with are impacted by the encouragement and kind words he offers. The Spirit Award is given to a TJJD staff member who has made extraordinary contributions and commitment to the agency’s volunteer program. Juvenile Correctional Officer Lance Broussard received this distinguished award for his assistance during the year to make sure special events for the youth, families, volunteers and staff go smoothly.
Ms. Jameson had the honors of announcing the last award recipient of the night: , Leona Cleveland for the Community Service Award. She is an outstanding professional, mentor, and Community Resource Council member. As a mentor, she has touched and enriched the lives of several youth by demonstrating concern, compassion and respect. She is an extraordinary role model, encouraging each youth to set goals, get an education and strive to be their best. Ms. Cleveland has adopted a dorm for the Summer Cookout and the Christmas Dorm Party and has been instrumental in recruiting a large group of community citizens to assist her to provide food, gifts, and fellowship to give each youth a sense of family.
Holli Fenton, dorm supervisor, announced the celebration of the 7th year of the Pairing Achievement with Success (PAWS) program. Ron Jackson has begun the second phase of the program and is now training service dogs. There are many people in the Brownwood community who helped the program get started and remain faithful in supplying needs so it can continue to operate. Dr. Joe Speck, veterinarian, is always available to take care of our dogs and has been since the program began. By donating both services and medicine to PAWS, he makes it possible for the program to continue. Agmart provided the program with the many different items it needed to start seven years ago and continues to be faithful in providing dog food. They give tours to the PAWS students and educate them on canine care and nutrition. Brownwood Woman’s Club honors the program with a sizable donation each year. And of course, without the partnership with Corinne T. Smith Animal Center, there would be no dogs for the youth to train.
Pictured at top: (left to right, front row) Sandy Alexander, Suzanne Prosise, Shenika Arredondo, (second row) Penny Riggs, Lance Broussard, Kathy Nowowiejski, Brian Allen, (third row) Kevelle Bailey, Mark Ferraro, Kyle Oxford, George Nowowiejski, Betty Evans and Rongey Madlock.
To learn more about the PAWS program, adopt a dog, or make a donation, contact: Holli Fenton, Dorm Supervisor, at 325-641-4260.
Contact Penny Riggs, Community Relations Coordinator, at 325-641-4240 to learn more about the volunteer opportunities at Ron Jackson SJCC.
