Pat winning his award
Here is the official press release for the previous post (which included photos of Pat with the award). See it here.
McGee receives TDCJ volunteer award
(AUSTIN) – Houston resident Patrick McGee received the Governor’s 2013 Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award for Most Hours Served in recognition of his dedication to helping offenders incarcerated within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
The award was presented today by Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Oliver Bell and TDCJ Executive Director Brad Livingston during a ceremony held in Austin. McGee is one of 20 recipients from across Texas recognized for their efforts to help state offenders and those who are on parole or probation.
“Each of this year’s award recipients personify a selfless dedication to helping offenders succeed both while incarcerated, and once they’re released,” said Livingston.
McGee, once a participant of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) when he himself was incarcerated, is now employed by the program offered at the Cleveland Correctional Center. Founded in May 2004, PEP is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization based in Houston. The program seeks to transform inmates and executives by unlocking human potential through entrepreneurial passion, education and mentoring. PEP engages the nation’s top business and academic talent in this innovative solution by creating high-impact service opportunities. The program constructively redirects inmates’ talents by equipping them with values-based entrepreneurial training—enabling them to productively re-enter society.
McGee has been a TDCJ volunteer since 2011. He also attends college and is expected to receive his Master’s Degree in December of 2013. Those who work with him say McGee stands apart as someone who is always looking to assist the needs of others. During 2012, Mr. McGee dedicated 2,162 hours of volunteer service to the TDCJ.
McGee is one of thousands of concerned volunteers who donate many hours of their personal time every year with the goal of changing the lives of convicted offenders, and aiding and comforting their victims. Annually, approximately 18,000 volunteers make 163,000 visits to criminal justice facilities and work with offenders who are on supervision, donating over 526,000 hours of service.
