The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) will hold a community meeting on Saturday, March 26 where civic leaders, facility employees, members of the public, and volunteers can discuss the impact that the Ron Jackson Juvenile Correctional Units have on Brown County.

Current and projected state budget shortfalls, along with reduced youth populations, will require TYC to close up to three of its 10 secure facilities across the state.  The agency has scheduled this  meeting in Brownwood from 10am-2pm to hear from community members about the unique features of the facility and supportive community resources, what the agency would lose by a closure at that location, any ability to repurpose the facilities, how closure would impact the community, and the facilities’ future expansion potential.

The Legislative Affairs Committee of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce will focus on the economic impact that the TYC facility has on Brown County in a presentation given by Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes representing the committee.  Mayor Haynes will speak at noon outlining the importance of TYC to the area and its effect on local jobs.

“We understand that many people cannot attend the full four-hour meeting,” Haynes said. “If you can only come for one hour, come from noon to 1 pm to hear some of the ways that TYC and the local community have created a mutually beneficial partnership.  In this difficult economic time, it is important that our community show support for these jobs.”

Haynes will be followed by other community leaders who will discuss specific programs that are unique to the Brownwood facility—particularly the PAWS program and workforce-education training programs with the three institutions of higher learning.

The community meeting will be attended by TYC Executive Director Cherie Townsend and TYC board member Larry Carroll of Midland.  The meeting will take place at the Dorothy McIntosh Fine Arts Center at Brownwood High School and is open to the public.