In the News!:
MT. PLEASANT MAN RECEIVES GOVERNOR'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE
VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
(AUSTIN) - April 3, 2009: John "Jack" Meriwether of Mt. Pleasant was honored with the Governor's 2009 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award today in recognition of the extensive time he has spent educating inmates incarcerated within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He also received this honor in 2005 for volunteer work he performed during 2004.
The award was presented by special guest and keynote speaker Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Oliver Bell, and TDCJ Executive Director Brad Livingston during a ceremony held in Austin. Meriwether is one of 14 individuals and 5 organizations from across the state recognized for their efforts to help inmates and those who are on parole or probation.
"Each of these men and women has given selflessly to the state of Texas," said Livingston. "Through their efforts, they have promoted positive change in those offenders who are incarcerated, and helped other inmates to succeed after they are released."
Meriwether was presented the Windham School District's "Judy Burd" Award, honoring the time he dedicates each week to the education of incarcerated inmates. Meriwether, a former petroleum engineer and high school chemistry teacher, teaches math every Tuesday to inmates at the Johnston Unit in Winnsboro. He also volunteers at the Johnston Unit as a grief counselor, and on weekends, helps at the Johnson, Telford and Cole units in the Residents Encountering Christ program. He first became involved in prison-related activities after Juanita, his wife of 52 years, passed away.
"When my wife died, I had a dear friend involved in prison ministry (who) made sure that I became involved," Meriwether said.
Meriwether, who earned a bachelor's degree from Centenary College in Shreveport, and a master's degree from Texas A&M University - Commerce, is a member of St. William Laud Episcopal Church in Pittsburg, Texas. He is a father of three, with 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
The award is named in honor of former Windham School District (WSD) curriculum specialist Judy Burd, who developed the nationally recognized pre-release program, CHANGES. She also was WSD's Volunteer Program Coordinator and in that capacity, encouraged many to give their time in service to others.
GATESVILLE WOMAN RECEIVES 2008 GOVERNOR'S CRIMINAL
JUSTICE
VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
(AUSTIN) - May 20, 2008: Julie Gardner of Gatesville was presented the Governor's 2008
Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award today in recognition of her service
in providing education to inmates incarcerated within the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice. See link below.
Volunteer Award
Austin American Statesman Editor Rich Oppel recently served as a GED graduation speaker at the Travis State Jail. He did a fantastic job as speaker, and he followed up with a very positive column (Feb. 10, 2008) about WSD and its GED program.
Austin American Statesman
The Brownfield News recently spent a day at the Rudd Unit with Principal DeLeon Gonzalo and his staff. Reporter Josie Schlink provides an overview of successful education programs at the unit:
The Brownfield News
CHANGES program focuses on life skills for successful re-entry. Reporter Jon Schroeder of the Killeen Daily Herald recently visited the Hughes Unit to report on Windham School District's CHANGES pre-release program. His article was published Sept.23, 2007, and it describes WSD's efforts to help prepare offenders for a successful life after release from prison. For the full story click link below.
KDH News
The Wichita Falls Times Record News published an excellent article yesterday focusing on Windham School District's programs at the Allred Unit. Reporter Jennifer Langdon wrote the article, which is very positive and explores several different aspects of the WSD story. If you would like to see the article (& photos), please click on this link:
Times Record News
Thirteen individuals and organizations who freely give their time to help
offenders, parolees, and probationers were recently honored in Austin during
the 2007 Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards. The Windham
School District proudly presented Lake Jackson resident Dickson de la Haye
with the Judy Burd Volunteer Award for his efforts at the Clemens Unit.
Read about his unique service to WSD and TDCJ at this link: