A luncheon fundraiser at First United Methodist Church on Sept. 17 in Boerne raised more than $30,000 for Christian Journey Courses, a faith-based program that provides life-skills training and behavior transformation courses for inmates in Kendall and Bandera counties.
Bandera County Sheriff Josh Tietge spoke in support of the program and discussed its impact on inmates at the Bandera County Jail.
“Being a smaller county sheriff, I have the opportunity to kind of really know everyone who’s arrested in my county,” Tietge said, “and it’s incredible when I attend these graduations. It’s amazing that when I shake their hand and give them a certificate, the sense of pride and accomplishment that each individual has.”
Tietge went on to discuss the change in attitude he’s seen occur in his inmates after taking the program.
“I start looking back and I remember this individual who fought my deputies, ran from my deputies, screamed and yelled all the way to the jail, fought in the jail, fought my staff, and in just five weeks, he’s completely changed,” Tietge said. “New outlook on life, new direction in life.”
The five-week program offers specialized services for jail inmates, probationers and others seeking to overcome dysfunctional lifestyles. Course topics include generational programming, guilt, boundary setting, character development, conflict resolution, anger management, anxiety, domestic violence and forgiveness.
CJC volunteer Jerry Mulberger recounted an experience with an inmate who struggled to forgive an abusive father.
“This guy had a father who was very abusive, and he hated his father,” Mulberger said during a panel discussion. “One of the last classes we had, he said his dream was to forgive his father. And the whole class just went crazy.”
The luncheon, catered by Boerne High School’s culinary class, was preceded by a silent auction and raffle featuring items including a one-night stay at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort, a gift basket from Hill Country Animal League, artwork from local artists and a Ruger 9 mm semi-automatic pistol.
Event sponsors included Edward Jones, Ryder Wash Systems, the GVTC Foundation and the Dirk Mosis III Family.
According to CJC Secretary Lynn Heckler, donations are still needed to help the program reach its annual fundraising goal of $45,000.
Alejandra Garrison serves as the Bandera County coordinator. More information about the program and donation opportunities is available at cjcbandera.org.
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