West Texas Boys Ranch...
...seeks to give youths sense of belonging!
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By Roy K. Robb West Texas Boys Ranch, board liaison
As published in the San Angelo Standard Times


San Angelo, Texas, is quickly becoming a popular place to retire and lead a quality lifestyle in one of several retirement communities and centers. People often mention the beauty of living in West Texas, the serenity and peacefulness and change of pace from a previous hectic lifestyle. And, of course, the intangible aspect of friendliness and genuine caring from the people of West Texas.
 
For the boys at West Texas Boys Ranch this is even more true. West Texas Boys Ranch is located between San Angelo and Mertzon, Texas, and a young man coming to live here will find love and guidance when what they may have come from is oftentimes a tumultuous home and a troublesome lifestyle.
 
Far too often, the boys have experienced a lack of love and of guidance needed for their age. Sometimes there may just be no one able at this time to provide a home for them. At other times, boys come from stable home environments, but for other reasons, are unable to function successfully in that home. West Texas Boys Ranch was established 66 years ago for boys experiencing these problems.
 
The establishment of a working ranch for the boys who needed such an environment was a dream by many leaders in West Texas in 1947, and one that has been made a reality by the generous contributions over the years.
 

Oftentimes, a boy who comes to the ranch in desperate need of help often displays feelings of despair, hopelessness and sometimes fear that he may never have a chance at a meaningful, successful life. Often they act out their anger and resentment at what life has dealt them.
 
The entire staff at West Texas Boys Ranch is committed to replacing those feelings with ones of excitement, joy and peace of mind as they fill life with genuine love and Christian guidance.



In order to facilitate a change, Jeremy Vincent, ranch administrator, says ”we must earn the trust of the boy and show genuine care and concern for his overall well being.”

Here a boy can live, work and study among adults whose faith in God and love of young people may be something new and different from what was prevalent in the troubled and often chaotic homes they came from.
 
At WTBR we accept boys ages 8 to 17. Most of our boys are placed by their parents, family members or other caregivers. At this time we are not accepting children from other states as we try to emphasize family involvement and frequent home visits when possible. WTBR asks each boy for a one-year commitment to the program. However, the boys are allowed to stay until they graduate high school, providing they are following the established rules and policies of the ranch.
 
All boys participate in the Education Program, which encompasses attending school at Irion County. They are supported at the Ranch by the on-campus Learning Center with tutoring four days a week.
 
The boys are offered opportunities to participate in the farm and ranch programs which include our horse program, 4-H program and the summer work bell program where the boys are compensated for their work and are exposed to a variety of vocational skills.
 
All boys participate in a behavior management program developed to help the boys reach and maintain acceptable levels of behavior, internalize positive values and identify areas of strength as well as areas which need improvement.
 
All boys participate in the Christian education program. WTBR is committed to ensuring the boys entrusted to our care have every opportunity to be nurtured in a Christian environment. The boys attend church weekly with their cottage parents and also attend our Sunday evening chapel on the ranch. Many of the boys also participate in youth group activities at their church.
 
It would be a very long story to write or tell about all the wonderful happenings taking place daily, monthly and yearly at West Texas Boys Ranch, but we are only able to do what we do because of the prayers, donations and volunteers of the people who support our efforts.



Because West Texas Boys Ranch is partially a working ranch, a home and school for young people, as well as a place to begin a new life, the donations to help financially are critical, the continued prayers from individuals who cannot physically help are critical and volunteers to help are critical. WTBR has provided a caring environment for many years because of the concern of individuals, churches and organizations in the West Texas area who have donated money, time, talents, construction materials, mechanical equipment, tack supplies, horses, food and vehicles for the continued operation.

 
If anyone would like to tour the ranch or discover what the current needs are, give us a call.
 
If you are aware of a boy who needs help, contact WTBR and we will begin the application process. The ranch office number is 325-949-1936 or visit our website at WTBR.org.