TDCJ News

27th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Bellville Foundation Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Award

TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier, members of Heart of Texas Foundation, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and TBCJ Chairman Patrick O'Daniel (l-r).

(AUSTIN) – The Heart of Texas Foundation in Bellville, Texas was presented the Community Service Award during the Governor’s 2022 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards program today.

The award was presented by Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Patrick O’Daniel and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier at a ceremony in Austin.

“These individuals have gone above and beyond in their volunteer efforts. No words or awards will be enough thanks for these individuals. We are grateful they decided to use their time and talents for good at TDCJ,” said O’Daniel.

“TDCJ and this state are better because of these award recipients. They are heroes who are making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of so many across the Lone Star State,” said Collier.

The Heart of Texas Foundation, working with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and State Senator John Whitmire, has been instrumental in founding and continuously supporting the Memorial Seminary program, the Heart of Texas College of Ministry and the system-wide Field Minister Program. It also supports the Memorial Field Ministers’ Literacy Program which is designed to teach illiterate inmates how to read based on the award-winning literacy program where each student is paired with a Field Minister who is a trained literacy instructor, for two hours of instruction, five days a week. The Heart of Texas Foundation provides Field Ministers on 35 units with computers, printers and a theological library to assist them in their preparation and endeavor to help in the rehabilitation of other inmates. They also travel extensively to every unit that houses Field Ministers to follow up with them and encourage them in their ministry. Additionally, they have recently started working towards establishing a women’s seminary at the Hobby Unit to train and equip female inmates for the Field Ministry and Literacy programs. The hard work, integrity and dedication to the highest standards of service of the Heart of Texas Foundation has not only impacted the Memorial Unit but has reached across TDCJ, transforming the lives of inmates and impacting the Rehabilitation Programs Division, as a whole. The efforts at rehabilitating men through their volunteer services has contributed significantly to inmates being successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated back into society.

The Heart of Texas Foundation is one of 5 organizations and 17 individuals 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 the lives of convicted offenders, and aiding and comforting their victims.

In FY2021, there were 21,310 volunteers who provided a total of 47,290 hours of service.

Note to media: For more information, contact Robert Hurst at (936) 437-6052 or by e-mail at robert_hurst@tdcj.texas.gov.