Halfway Houses

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department operates four halfway houses across the state to provide low to medium security treatment facilities. These facilities provide youth the opportunity to make gradual transitions back into their home communities by offering specialized treatment options, help with job assistance, and educational and vocational programming.

Ayres

Edna Tamayo

Schaeffer

Ayres

Ayres House, founded in 1980, is a community-based residential program for adolescent males located in San Antonio, Texas.

It serves as a step-down program, a system designed for helping youth prepare for returning to their community, with a focus on life skills preparation and has a housing capacity for as many as twenty youths.

Over the last two years, the average stay for a youth at Ayres House was sixty-five days.

Notable Achievements

  • Ayres House youth completed approximately 3,600 community service hours in 2018.
  • The Volunteer Council for Texas Youth of San Antonio(VCTYSA) non-profit fundraises to provide financial support and resources for the youth to participate in holiday parties and other activities. The council also provides family travel assistance, graduation incentive gift cards, employment uniform assistance, monthly activity funds and recognition gifts. Volunteers for the council completed 4958 hours of service in 2018.
  • Every school year several Ayres youth earn their high school diploma while in residence. In FY 2018, 1 youth earned his diploma or high school equivalency certificate.

Specialized Treatment Programs

  • Anger Management – Strategies for Anger Management groups are provided by TJJD staff on-site, offering youth the tools to assist in managing their anger in a productive manner. 
  • Alcohol or Other Drugs – Aftercare services are provided on-site through contract providers to assist youth with addiction issues. 
  • Mental Health – Mental Health services are received on-site through local contract providers. 
  • Sexual Behavior Treatment – Aftercare services are provided on-site through local contract providers. 
  • Independent Living Preparation – Youth are provided opportunities to learn valuable life skills that will assist them in becoming successful, productive citizens. 
  • Employment – Ayres House works closely with Texas Workforce Solutions and the local TJJD Workforce Development Specialist to assist youth in developing resumes, learning interviewing techniques and seeking employment.

Other Services

  • Independent Living Preparation – Youth are provided opportunities to learn valuable life skills that will assist them in becoming successful, productive citizens.
  • Employment – Ayres House works closely with Texas Workforce Solutions and the local TJJD Workforce Development Specialist to assist youth in developing resumes, learning interviewing techniques and seeking employment.
  • Ayres House partners with various restaurants, including IHOP, Wendy’s, McAllister’s, Mama Margie’s, and Bush’s Chicken, who employ youth and provide on-the-job training.
  • Education and Vocation – Ayres House partners with the Judson Independent School District to provide on-site high school educational programming and GED preparation and testing. Youth also have an opportunity to participate in Navarro College on-line college and certification courses as well as attend other local higher education institutions.
  • Registered volunteers participate in supportive and encouraging services such as: Mentor visits, Bible study, Book Club, Character Development, tutoring, Fatherhood classes, art instruction, sports coaching, chaplaincy services, internships, networking and resource development.

NOTE: The severity of the committing offense is determined by the felony degree and any aggravating factors present. All 1st degree and certain 2nd degree felonies against a person are considered high severity. All other 2nd and 3rd degree felonies and state jail offenses with aggravating factors are moderate severity, and without aggravating factors they are considered low severity.

Edna Tamayo

The Edna Tamayo Halfway House is a community-based residential program serving adolescent males located in Harlingen, Texas, providing vocational training that includes OSHA Certifications and hands- on building projects. In addition, independent living skills are taught where some youth may obtain employment from local businesses during their stay at Tamayo House.  The program, formerly known as Valley House, was established in 1978. It moved to its current location in 1991 and was dedicated in 1999 to Board Member Edna Tamayo. The program is enhanced by the support of volunteers who serve as tutors and mentors. It is currently equipped to house up to 16 youth at a time. All staff are English-Spanish bilingual. Tamayo House also has an on-site Mental Health Professional to help address barriers to learning and provide supports so that all students can transition back into the community successfully. Since January of 2018, the average stay for a youth at the Edna Tamayo House is eighty-six days.

Notable Community Collaborations

  • Youth routinely complete community service throughout the community, averaging as a group about 425 service hours per month. They help out at the Ronald McDonald House, Harlingen City Parks, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Harlingen Boys and Girls Club, Maggie’s House, American Red Cross, Loaves and Fishes, and the Annual South Padre Island Beach Clean-Up.
  • Edna Tamayo House youth also have participated in the annual Global Youth Service Day and help wrap gifts during the Christmas holidays for the Harlingen Police Department Toy Drive.
  • Tamayo youth also are deeply involved with the Harlingen Food Pantry, helping with the annual food drive that serves 17 elementary schools in Harlingen. A recent food drive gathered over 14,000 pound and 9500 cans and nonperishable items – worth more than $5,000 — for the Food Pantry.
  • Tamayo youth helped with a Hurricane Harvey relief effort led by the local TV station (Channel 4), which sent a semi-truck with more than 60,000 nonperishable items to greater Houston.
  • Tamayo operates a dog training program and a recreational running program for youth.
  • In May 2016, the Volunteer Council at the nearby Evins Regional Juvenile Center expanded its purpose to include support of Tamayo House youth. The Council augments community support for outings, such as movies, bowling and skating, by providing Tamayo House with a monthly stipend.
  • Staff assist eligible youth in locating employment while at Tamayo House.

Specialized Treatment Programs

  • Alcohol or Other Drugs – Moderate and aftercare services are provided on-site by TJJD staff to assist youth with addiction issues.
  • Mental Health – Mental health services are provided on-site by TJJD staff.
  • Sexual Behavior Treatment – Aftercare services are provided on-site through local contract providers.
  • Anger Management – TJJD staff provide Strategies for Anger Management groups for youth.

Other Program Services

  • Independent Living Preparation – Youth are provided opportunities to learn valuable life skills that will assist them in becoming successful, productive citizens.
  • Employment – Edna Tamayo House partners with Texas Workforce Solutions to assist eligible youth in obtaining employment.
  • Education and Vocation – Harlingen ISD provides in-house instructions for youth. Eligible youth are also provided the opportunity to attend a local school campus. Youth also have an opportunity to participate in Navarro College online college and certification courses as well as attend other local higher education institutions.

NOTE: The severity of the committing offense is determined by the felony degree and any aggravating factors present. All 1st degree and certain 2nd degree felonies against a person are considered high severity. All other 2nd and 3rd degree felonies and state jail offenses with aggravating factors are moderate severity, and without aggravating factors they are considered low severity.

Schaeffer

Schaeffer House is a community-based residential program located in El Paso, Texas, for adolescent males serving as a step-down program with a focus on rehabilitation, vocational and life skills. Schaeffer House opened its doors to service the youth of our community in 1978. Since that time, we have seen many youths leave and have a positive impact on our community.

Schaeffer halfway house has the ability to house 24 youth. The smaller numbers allow staff to provide individualized treatment to meet the residents needs.  Although we serve all the youth, we service youth who come from hard places, who are homeless and those who do not have family support.

This facility has implemented a staff mentoring program where youth can ask for individualized help beyond the regular duties of a JCO. The youth also provided specialized treatment according to their treatment needs to address issues toward successful rehabilitation.

Schaeffer also has community volunteers’ council who work to provide additional resources for the youth. Volunteers provide tutoring, mentoring, and other services. Many youth will have an opportunity to attend outings at UTEP athletic events, Rhino Semi Professional Hockey, Chihuahua Minor league baseball.

Other resources within the community include the Ft. Bliss Army Base, El Paso Art Museums and the Border Patrol Museum.

Youth who do not have a GED or High School diploma will have an opportunity to attend school in the Socorro Independent School District (Keys Academy). College ready youth can enroll at the El Paso Community College or the University of Texas El Paso. Youth will also be a obtain employment while at the Schaeffer Halfway House if they have their High School equivalency. 

Notable Community Collaborations

  • Graduate and Undergraduate students from the University of Texas El Paso, Webster University, University of Phoenix, and El Paso Community College participate in the intern program.
  • El Paso City Health Department provides education to youth on the prevention of HIV and STIs.
  • The Center against Family Violence provides information on domestic violence to the youth.
  • El Paso Juvenile Probation provides training and staff development resources.
  • Community partnerships include The University of Texas at El Paso, Texas Department of Transportation, Franklin Mountain State Park, Abundant Living Faith Center, El Paso County Village of Vinton, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, El Paso County Parks and Recreation, and Habitat for Humanity.
  • Fit for Success Program for Schaeffer youth connecting fitness to success.
  • Schaeffer House youth provide prevention presentations to local elementary schools.
  • Community volunteers contribute hundreds of hours of service, providing mentoring, religious services, tutoring, internships and community activities.

Notable Achievements

  • Since 2016, Schaeffer House youth completed 2,670 hours of community service equaling a cash value of $62,478.
  • Since 2016, TJJD volunteers have provided 1,309 hours of service. The overall value of volunteer hours, in-kind donations and cash donations totaled $33,474.

Specialized Treatment Programs

  • Alcohol or Other Drugs – Moderate and aftercare services are provided on-site by licensed TJJD staff to assist youth with addiction issues.
  • Sexual Behavior Treatment – Aftercare services are provided off-site through local contract providers.
  • Anger Management – TJJD staff provide strategies for anger management groups on-site.
  • Mental Health – Mental Health services are provided on-site through a TJJD Mental Health Specialist.
  • Making Proud Choices – Youth learn how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Other Program Services

  • Independent Living Preparation – A certified teacher provides instruction on Independent Living Skills, which includes career technology education material.
  • Education and Vocational – Schaeffer House partners with Socorro Independent School District (SISD) to provide on-site GED preparation and testing. Youth also attend the Keys Academy through SISD for high school coursework. Additionally, youth have an opportunity to participate in Navarro College on-line college and certification courses and attend the local community college.

NOTE: The severity of the committing offense is determined by the felony degree and any aggravating factors present. All 1st degree and certain 2nd degree felonies against a person are considered high severity. All other 2nd and 3rd degree felonies and state jail offenses with aggravating factors are moderate severity, and without aggravating factors they are considered low severity.

Contact Information

Jennifer Jones
Director, Halfway Houses & Contract Care
jennifer.jones@tjjd.texas.gov

Scroll to Top