TDCJ News

28th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards

Lufkin Church Receives Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award

TBCJ Chairman Patrick O'Daniel, Victor Hinojosa of Timber Creek Church, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier.

(AUSTIN) – Timber Creek Church in Lufkin, Texas, was presented the Best Family Program Award during the Governor’s 2023 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards program today. Accepting the award was Mr. Victor Hinojosa.

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

“It takes a very special kind of person to give of their time and expect no material reward,” said Collier. “These volunteers are invaluable to us and have made a lasting impact through their contributions to the public safety of all Texans.”

Mr. Victor Hinojosa represents the Timber Creek Church as they serve the Diboll Unit in a variety of ways. This past August they provided the men the opportunity to connect with their families during the “Day With Dad” event which provides loved ones a chance to bond through multiple games and activities. One of the most significant activities the families really valued is what the Timber Creek Church calls “Back to School Shopping with Dad”. This activity allows fathers the chance to go “shopping” with their children as they picked out school supplies and backpacks. Each inmate was given a “shopping list” of school supplies by the volunteers. The inmates then escorted their child to a table where different school supplies were set up. The fathers had the opportunity to discover their child’s favorite colors because they were able to “shop” together from table-to-table. For many of the fathers, this was the first time they had ever had the chance to do this. The school supplies were then bagged up and given to the families to take home. The experience that Timber Creek Church provided has impacted the lives of every family involved.

Timber Creek Church is one of 23 organizations and 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 inmates while aiding and comforting their victims.

In FY2022, there were 23,376 volunteers who provided a total of 146,649 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.