The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Oasis of Justice Program provides a mentoring and sponsorship program in collaboration
with the Texas Youth Commission.
VISION: To assist young offenders ages 15 to 17 from relapsing into previous behavior and lower the recidivism rates
through the help of Vicentians and other volunteers. Adult mentors sponsor clothing or food assistance to provide support.
MISSION: Vincentians are led by Gospel values, and as a Catholic lay organization, women and men join spiritually to offer
person-to-person service to those who are in need or suffering.
GOAL: To provide life skills and holistic case management to young adults, clients of the Texas Youth Commission over a three-month period.
Program Objectives:
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Assess the client’s needs through a comprehensive information and referral intake
process to determine coping skills, emotional, mental or physical challenges, education and employability.
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Develop a Recovery Plan for the client to include affordable housing, employment, job training,
goal setting, family reunification (if appropriate), refer for mental or physical conditions and provide tools for balancing finances.
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Educate clients on healthy boundaries, how to expect and attain outcomes and the value of self-discipline to attain goals.
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Provide follow-up and support for clients who complete the six-week sessions for up to 90 days and/or longer as needed.
A total of six mentoring sessions occur for each group of TYC clients. The mentors teach life skills over a period of three months,
meeting with the clients twice a month at the TYC facility in Dallas. All mentors must pass a criminal background check and
go through TYC’s Volunteer Orientation.
Life-Skills Program Schedule
- Week 1 – Assessment and Completion of SVdP paperwork: “This is where I need to be.”
- Week 2 - My history: “Where I came from and the choices I’ve made.”
- Week 3 – Living beyond my history: “Letting go of the past.”
- Week 4 – Self Control and Goals: “Changing unproductive patterns of behavior.”
- Week 5 – Goals for my life: “Roadmap for success.”
- Week 6 - Personal financial literacy and economic self-sufficiency: “Reaching economic and career goals.
Sponsorship Volunteers Wanted - SIGN UP NOW! For as little as $50.00, you can provide food or clothing for a TYC youth for a 90 day period.