Why?
I am often asked to explain how we do what we do at The Ranches and I am all too happy to answer. Recently, one of residents asked me why I work at The Ranches. At first, I started to give him a series of answers that started with “we….” He was not impressed and interrupted me to ask again, “Why do YOU work with kids?”, he asked. I hadn’t answered that question in quite some time so I paused and thought for a moment before speaking. When I formed an answer, I looked at the young man and tried to explain why I work with the kids at The Ranches.
I started by explaining to him what I was like as a young man. I explained that I was not always sure of myself and that I struggled to understand all of the things that I had seen and heard growing up at The Ranches. I explained the fear and anger that I struggled to understand and process and the frustration that came from watching my parents try to help young men and women to make sense of their young but eventful lives. As he listened, I went on to talk to him about my own children and the fear that every parent carries when they think of what would happen to their children if, Heaven forbid, something happened to their parents. I explained that, while I pray that every child is fortunate enough to grow up in a family that loves, understands and supports them, I realize that, for a variety of reasons, some kids don’t have that opportunity. I do this because of those kids that cannot grow up the way that I did and because, were it not for the Grace of God, loving and understanding parents, and a bit of luck, I’d have needed a place like The Ranches to help raise me.
I work at The Ranches with the hope that one day we will go out of business due to a lack of need in our community for our services. Until then, my goal is to provide a place where young people, who need the support and guidance that I needed at their age, can grow up and see themselves and the world around them a little bit differently. With a bit of that Grace of God, maybe they can provide some support and guidance for their kids when the time comes.
