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Rehabilitation Programs Division Volunteer Services Newsletter June 2024





GVA Recipients April 2024

"(above: 29th Annual Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award Recipients)"

Congratulations to the 29th Annual Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award Recipients!

The Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Services Awards [ [link removed] ] were created in 1995 through collaborative efforts between the Office of Governor George W. Bush and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ). These awards are designated to honor volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The presentation of these awards has become a time-honored tradition and a highlight for the TBCJ and the TDCJ.

The award was presented by Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Eric Nichols, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Executive Director Bryan Collier during an online ceremony.

“These award recipients, by volunteering countless hours, are helping to build a better Texas for themselves and everyone whose lives they touch,” Nichols said. “It is an honor to recognize them for their hard work and dedication.”

“These volunteers are true heroes,” Collier said. “Their compassion and commitment make a profound and lasting difference in the lives of many Texans. TDCJ, and the entire state, is better because of their service.”

There were 22 individuals and organizations from across the state recognized for their efforts to help inmates and those who are on parole or probation. They donate many hours of their personal time every year with the goal of changing lives.  The complete list of recipients [ [link removed] ] can be viewed on the TDCJ website.  






Vol of Year_Robert Diggs 4.2024

"(above: TBCJ Chairman Eric Nichols, Robert Diggs, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier)"




Robert Diggs of Dallas, Texas was presented the Carol S. Vance Award.  Mr. Diggs, a Certified Volunteer Chaplain’s Assistant, has volunteered for the TDCJ for over 25 years. Diggs facilitates spiritual growth classes such as Overcomers and Family Education. His work with the Family Education program is unique in that he acts as liaison between the client’s family and services available.






 

Girls Embracing Mothers, Inc. (GEMS) [ [link removed] ] in Dallas, Texas, was presented the Best Family Program [ [link removed] ] Award.  GEMS is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides programming designed for incarcerated mothers and their daughters. 



Girls Embracing Mothers - Best Family Program Award

"(above: TBCJ Chairman Eric Nichols, Girls Embracing Mothers, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier)"






 

Lori Riggs of Winnsboro, Texas, was presented the TDCJ Employee Volunteer Award. [ [link removed] ]  Riggs volunteers her time to help the incarcerated women at the Johnston Unit, in addition to helping inmates through her work as a Substance Use Counselor. 



Employee Volunteer 2024_Lori Riggs

"(above: TBCJ Chairman Eric Nichols, Lori Riggs, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier)"






Travis Henderson_Judy Burd Award 2024

"(above: TBCJ Chairman Eric Nichols, Travis Henderson, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier)"




Travis Henderson of Huntsville, Texas, was presented the Judy Burd Award from the Windham School District (WSD).  Mr. Henderson began his volunteer journey with Windham School District over 15 years ago while he was still employed with the district. Since his retirement in 2022, he has increased his volunteer efforts, visiting numerous Windham campuses to engage with students. 






Clements Unit Chapel Dedication

Pastor Larry Miles

Pastor Miles was appointed to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) and the Board of Trustees for the Windham School District (WSD) in August 2014.  In June of 2020 he was elected by his fellow board members to the position of Board Secretary.  Pastor Miles chaired the Rehabilitation Reentry Programs committee and was a member of the Community Corrections and Victim Services committee.  He is currently an active member of the TDCJ Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Pastor Miles faithfully served the William P. Clements Unit as a Certified Volunteer Chaplain Assistant (CVCA) for 25 years.  Among his many contributions as a board member is the establishment of the Reading is Freedom Program, first piloted at the Clements Unit in June 2017. 

In honor of Pastor Miles and his service, a dedication ceremony will take place at the Clements Unit in Amarillo, TX, for the naming of the "Pastor Larry Miles Chapel." 







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A Message from the Rehabilitation Programs Division Director

Volunteers dedicate their lives to helping others and being the positive influence that we all need in this world. In TDCJ we are truly blessed to have the privilege of serving beside you. Thank you for all that you do, and May God continue to bless you and your families.

-RPD Division Director
Christopher Carter



RPD Division Director Christopher Carter




Thank You For Volunteering!

The TDCJ Volunteer Services Staff would like to thank our dedicated volunteers!  

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." 

-Oscar Wilde

 




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Volunteer Services Staff_April 2024

(above: Leslie Gier, Kay Hindmon, Marisol Larios, Chad Wakefield, Lisa Langley, Makayla Vickers, Casey Bolin






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Apply to Become an Employee Volunteer

volunteers needed

A TDCJ or WSD employee may apply [ [link removed] ] to become an approved volunteer.  Employee volunteers donate their time and services outside of their normal job functions and required working hours. An employee volunteer shall not serve at the facility to which they are currently assigned, unless approved by the facility administrator. 



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Keyboard
Volunteer Application

Status Check

Already applied and finished training or have retrained?  Check your status. [ [link removed] ] 

Applicants will receive a status notification via e-mail or postal mail.  Status information is updated automatically each morning.

Volunteers are required to submit an application [ [link removed] ] and complete training [ [link removed] ] every two years.  This applies to new applicants as well as current volunteers who have not trained within the past two years.



June 2024
What is a special volunteer?

Individuals who want to participate in volunteer activities, but are not approved volunteers, can be considered special volunteers with the approval from the facility volunteer coordinator and warden or designee. Opportunities to participate as a special volunteer is beneficial in recruiting approved volunteers. Individuals do not complete a volunteer application but may provide a service or participate in volunteer activities no more than four times. After the fourth visit as a special volunteer, the individual is encouraged to become an approved volunteer for future visits. Individuals who participate in crusades, can participate in no more than four crusade events in a calendar year.






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The Importance of Volunteers

The role of the volunteer within TDCJ is to provide guidance in specific activities and programs, promote personal growth and development, provide support and assistance to victims and inmates, and help facilitate re-entry into the community.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you are encouraged to complete the online application and training (see below). An application must be completed prior to beginning the online training, please note applications will not be processed until the training has been completed. 

Volunteers are required to re-train every two (2) years.

*Apply*: use the online application [ [link removed] ].  *Train:* online [ [link removed] ] 

Completion of training is not a guarantee of approval. All applications include a criminal background check and are reviewed for eligibility [ [link removed] ].

If you have a specific question regarding eligibility, please contact Volunteer Services at 936-437-3026, if you are checking your volunteer status, please be prepared to provide the last four of your driver's license.

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Volunteers Needed!

Volunteer Opportunities

The Private Facility and Contract Monitoring/Oversight Division [ [link removed] ]is looking for volunteer programming, particularly at the Residential Reentry and Transitional Treatment Centers [ [link removed] ].  If you are interested, please contact the facility of your choice for additional information about volunteering.



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Receive Unit Lockdown Notifications

Email Updates

As they occur, Volunteer Services notifies our faithful volunteers that the facilities they actively volunteer at are on lockdown status.  The email further directs them to contact the unit administration prior to their next visit to ensure the unit is allowing for volunteer activities. 

Our hope it to notify all volunteers of this type of information and other unit specific information.  In order to ensure you are notified we encourage you to do *YOUR PART* in assisting us.

Go to the TDCJ Volunteer Services webpage [ [link removed] ] and enter your email in the Email Updates box (pictured above).  You will get a screen similar to the one pictured below.  Click on *Subscriber Preferences* and then click on the tab labeled *Questions* answer the various questions such as the region of Texas you reside in and the unit/units you actively volunteer at.

Thank you for assisting us in making your volunteer experience as informative as possible.

 









Email us at:  [email protected] <[email protected]>

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Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact [link removed].

This service is provided to you at no charge by Texas Department of Criminal Justice Volunteer Services [ [link removed] ].

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