Greetings all. I am ecstatic because God is ever faithful and I want to share a longtime dream of mine, that I had prayed about for years, primarily what direction to take and the right time to do it. Let it be known, that all that are participating, are all licensed professionals, from Psychiatrists to Psychologists to Counselors to Social Workers to Preachers to Mentors to friends. The objective is to provide every tool that's needed to succeed at helping these troubled youth bet back on the right track. Its time to teach unknowing male teenagers how to become real men(hopefully Christian) that will have skills to contribute to society. Reintegration into the world as contributors is a primary part of the program.
At any rate, my username is Bornfree, and its been a lifelong desire of mine to develop my own non-profit, "help for troubled male youth" facility. First off, I just want to thank God greatly for his blessings and help with this! In my youth, I attended grades 7-12 with what were known as kids from the "Boys Ranch". Kids that had somehow gotten into trouble, and the Boys Ranch was an effort to help redirect the paths-along with teaching Christian values-of these boys and hopefully thwart detrimental roads they chose to take. My best understanding(which I will mention later) was that this program was basically a last ditch effort to help before circumstances and consequences became much worse.
At school, I remember most kids being fearful of these boys, when actually they were just like everyone else, just trying to fit in. I know, because I befriended many of them. The number of them varied around thirty as some would not comply with ranch rules or perhaps they were moved to another facility for some reason. I soon became friends with most of them, and it was obvious that there was good in their hearts. I was intrigued, so my curiosity got the best of me and I decided I wanted to know what exactly went on at this "Boys Ranch". It wasn't an issue thankfully, a friend from church introduced me to the director, and soon I asked if I could meet with him so he could explain how and why there was this facility or actually ranch(of course I more or less knew already, but I wanted to hear it first hand. I had to know what the MO was, was success being achieved, understanding the logistics, funding, classes, group therapy, buddy systems, self therapy, progression, and anything else pertinent? And sadly, I'm sorry to say there is a failure rate.
So their I am in my pursuit to learn as much as possible. Funny, but I learned it really was an operating ranch..lol! With horses, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, chickens, rabbits, and of course, how can it be a ranch without cats and dogs? On that topic, I learned a facet of the program was to rescue animals(mainly dogs and cats)train a variety of skills, and when complete, try and find them a good home. These kids are in no way alone at any time. The Ranch was a great place to make a change, with plenty of resources, such as counseling alone or with family, completion of chores consistently is a plus, an improvement in school grades helps greatly, completion of therapeutic workbooks, and lastly for now, but in no way the least, church multiple times per week for willing participants. Don't misunderstand(as much I wish it were a requirement), becoming a Christian will not be part of the criteria to graduate the program. My understanding was that it was suggested and the Bible was taught, and seeds were planted, but ultimately it's their choice.
I've always remembered some of the boys from the "Boys Ranch," and where they might be now. And from when I was young and understood the concept, its been a desire of mine to purchase a ranch somewhere and resurrect the "Boys Ranch"! To me is was "git r done time," as time waits for no one. I hired a realtor to find me something suitable, I didn't really care what state. I hired a law firm to investigate the requirements of taking on the task. I made phone calls, I made connections, I searched for therapists who would work pro-bono for the time being. The lord sent me a militant director and coordinator(who had actually done work like this before..Amen!) Essentially, over a period of working at it since 2004, prayers have been answered and its all falling into place. Its all so surreal, I almost feel like even though I worked at putting this all together, God reminded me, I did nothing! The glory goes to Him, it was He who had put things into motion and kept them moving, and I want to recognize and give thanks!! Suddenly it was getting easier, things were moving along at Godspeed. This is where I need the prayers of everyone who read this, the plan is to operate for two years, as a non-profit, but will not accept donations until the two years have been completed successfully, simply my preference only. This is my 24th yr now, and have somehow known that it was in the plan somewhere along the way. Just a feeling. Point is, I have been preparing for this moment my entire life, which meant that I had invested money here and there, and with God's blessing, I going to be able to fund the first two years out of pocket. I like to be the boss anyway..rofl..jk!
I first thought as long as I can keep working, I can keep it going. But I plan on retiring from this profession before too long, so if I don't work, I simply could not sustain the expense. Which means, I've got to last at least 2 more years..lol! I have faith that we can make the allotted time and hopefully have an exemplary record of success. We then can start accepting donations and requesting grant money, and other funding available( of course hoping to show a high percentage of kids who have completed the program). I'm not worried, as soon as I mention my cause to friends or coworkers or acquaintances, donations come out of the woodwork, Praise God!!
In conclusion, its gonna take everything I got, but God has blessed me with great friends and supporter's. But ya know what, I don't care all that much about what anyone thinks. God has put this on my heart and will give me the strength and longevity to persevere, one word, resplendent! I'm taking a leap of faith and sacrificing all that I can and more, now its in God's hands and I trust this is not much of a challenge for Him..lol! We hope to start with 25 to 30 male kids, ages 13-18 yrs. Ultimately, teach these young men with God's guidance, what it is to be a servant. A servant of God and a servant of people, and THAT THERE IS A CHOICE to do good over evil. I can't wait for the day I see the first life changed, and observe how a young man learns to be a proper man, with qualities of respect, love, trust, integrity, morals, and so on. Whether or not as a Christian at this point, but instilled with qualities on how to be pleasing to God if that is the chosen path. We trust that those seeds will eventually sprout and turn a young man, into a man of God who changes and accepts forgiveness and forgives in return.
This is just a brief summary, there is so much more, but I think everyone that reads will get the gist, and prayers are thankfully accepted! Thank you for your time, its kind of you! Born:)
