Harris County Boys Home (Crossroads)

Purpose:
Improve the chances that an incarcerated young man will successfully transition back into society once he is released from the Harris County Youth Village.

Description:
After a background check, training, and orientation, the volunteer is asked to meet with a boy aged 13-17 for at least one hour per week at the Harris County Youth Village, which is located behind Clear Lake Park. Boys are assigned to volunteers based on their request for a Crossroads volunteer and the case worker ’ s judgment that the boy is likely to benefit from a caring mentor. A typical visit consists of signing in at the reception desk and talking with your assigned boy for approximately a half hour in the cafeteria of the facility (complete security). The second part of the visit typically consists of playing a game such as chess or dominos with your assigned youth. The times allowed for visits are reasonably flexible, so a person with a busy schedule can easily become an effective mentor. A mentor can occasionally miss a visit if he/she is out of town or ill. When I am out of town I try to at least send a postcard from my location. Once per month the volunteer mentor sends a summary of each visit to the Crossroads coordinator. Assignments rotate as the boys are released from the Youth Village. The initial assignment is expected to last for one year; however, assignments to a specific youth can last from a couple of weeks to 6 months.

Volunteer Role:
Most of these boys are in need of responsible adult mentors in their life. Many are estranged from one or both parents, who may be deported, in jail, or deceased. They have been given an unfair shake in life and have made some bad choices about their actions. A caring and listening adult can be an effective force in helping these boys understand the benefits of making wise choices once they are released. Many of the boys have problems with anger management, and those receive separate counseling for this problem. You are not expected to be a professional counselor. All contact ceases once a boy is released from the Youth Village.

How Your Faith Can Serve:
As you get to know a boy it is up to you whether or not you discuss your faith and the importance of Christ in your life. I have found that sooner or later the boy will ask why you are visiting them each week. This is an excellent time to “ reveal ” your faith as an example and to find out where the boy ’ s faith has taken him. You are not likely to convert a boy to Christianity, but the seed of faith can be planted in his heart if it is not already there.