NEW BOSTON, Texas- The former Northeast Texas Restitution Center is undergoing preparations for a new purpose.
James Matthew Fisk, executive director of the Cookville, Texas-based Lancer Legacy Ranch, spoke to Bowie County commissioners on Monday regarding plans to move ranch operations to the center.
The ranch helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. The organization recently reached an operational agreement with the Cass County Adult Probation Department to use the vacant center just east of Maud, Texas, as its new base of operations, Fisk told commissioners.
"So far, we've been able to serve 64 veterans within this year," Fisk said. "We do both individual and group counseling. The Cass County Adult Probation Office will be the landlord, but we will be conducting the counseling operations."
The ranch has at least two military veteran residents living at the center-a building which can hold up to 16 residents. Besides temporary housing, the ranch helps connect veterans with medical, legal, educational and employment resources.
Bowie County Judge James Carlow told Fisk that the county has worked with Cass County Adult Probation officials regarding the center's new purpose.
"This looks like it will be the best use of the property," Carlow said.
Fisk agreed. "This place is a game changer for people have lost their sense of purpose in life and are now trying to find their way back," he said
Since Fisk's ranch relocation required no formal commissioners court approval, the court granted him best wishes on the project.
The center, built in 1999, is a 22,000 square-foot building on 21 acres of land.
In other business, commissioners agreed to put a county-owned 1996 Dodge van up for public sale.