Bridges To Life needs volunteers to help make a difference in the lives of both prison inmates and victims of crime. You can help! Find out more about how you can join the Bridges to Life volunteer team.
Numerous articles have been published about the unique work of Bridges to Life in both local and national publications.
Jim Buffington and Brandon Willard receive 2008 Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards
John Sage is recipient of HYLA Liberty Bell Award and was inducted into the St. Thomas Hall of Honor.
At 18 years old, Brandon Willard got into a car with a friend that had been drinking, believing the friend was only going two (2) blocks to Brandon’s house. The friend went the other direction and at 100 mph, hit a guardrail and plunged 75 feet into a dry lake bed. Brandon was left a quadriplegic for life. Because Brandon felt responsible for his own choices, he asked the court for leniency for his friend. Unfortunately, the friend continued to drink and drive. Having great concern for others on the road with drunk drivers, Brandon began his battle to combat drunk driving. With the help of his mother Annette, Brandon has traveled thousands of miles and donated hundreds of hours speaking in schools, prisons and any group that will listen about the effects of drunk driving and the power of forgiveness.
In the years that followed, Brandon suffered yet another horrific accident involving a drunk driver. While driving home after an evening out with his girlfriend in a van specially outfitted for him, a car with three (3) intoxicated young adults pulled out in front of Brandon’s van. The occupants of the car were killed. Brandon and his girlfriend suffered multiple serious injuries. Brandon was not expected to live.
Brandon did recover and he continues with his mission. His positive testimony and message of forgiveness has a great impact on the men, women and children he comes in contact with. He has participated in many Bridges To Life prison projects as a victim speaker and facilitator. Because of his work, his love for fellow man and dedication to this cause, the Victim Services Division has selected Brandon Willard as the recipient of the “Pathfinder” Award.
The ‘Pathfinder” Award is given to an individual or group that has demonstrated leadership qualities in their volunteer service and made significant contributions to the welfare of victims.
You can read this original article and see Brandon’s picture with Governor Perry at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website.
In 1976, when he was only 12 year old, Jim Buffington’s mother was found slain in the back seat of her car. The devastation to the family was indescribable. A year later, while still working through his grief, he was dealt another blow. His father was arrested and incarcerated for the conspiracy of his mother’s murder. Jim was to suffer yet another betrayal later in life when he discovered that the original murder conspiracy included his brother and himself.
Through this incredible journey, Jim has experienced both sides of the criminal justice system – as a child of a victim of crime and as a child of an offender. Jim journeyed a long road of pain and betrayal that would lead most to a life withdrawn and full of bitterness. Jim chose another path however, one of healing and forgiveness. In his volunteer work, he has helped many victims of crime, as well as offenders, down that path to healing and forgiveness. Because of his unique experiences, he has an insight into the feelings of the offenders’ families that most of us cannot relate to. Jim is able to connect with the offenders and he helps them to better understand the effects their choices have had on their families and society.
Jim’s incredible strength has been an inspiration to other volunteers and his contagious enthusiasm has changed many hearts. Jim has been a faithful volunteer with Bridges to Life, a program that focuses on the restoration of offenders, putting a face on crime and God’s forgiveness. Jim continues to donate his time to victim impact panels for Victim Services, Dallas County Probation, Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, Texas Youth Commission and the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department. It is because Jim Buffington has given so much of himself promoting restorative justice that he has been selected as the recipient for the Carol S. Vance Volunteer of the Year Award for 2007.
You can read this original article and see Jim’s picture with Governor Perry at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website.
Due to the outstanding work and progress of Bridges To Life, John Sage was chosen as the 2008 recipient of the Houston Young Lawyers Association’s Liberty Bell Award. This award recognizes an outstanding non-lawyer who had made the most selfless contribution to his or her community to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of justice by instilling a better understanding and appreciation of the law. The award was presented at the Law Day Luncheon held at the Four Seasons Hotel on May 2. John was introduced by Judge Bill Burke, a Bridges To Life volunteer, of the 189th District Court in Harris County.
On April 24, 2008, John Sage was inducted into the St. Thomas High School Hall of Honor. St. Thomas has been in Houston for 109 years and this special recognition is given to those alumni who best model the spirit of St. Thomas. Members are chosen who personify the Basilian motto, “Teach me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge,” as well as having achieved excellence in their professional lives. Whether it is in service to church, community, state, athletics, education, science, military or family, all Hall of Honor members are recognized by their peers as having achieved an exceptional level of success to which all current students and alumni can aspire. For further information, visit St. Thomas Hall of Honor website.