Education Center

Every child that comes to Texas Boys Ranch has experienced significant abuse and neglect. Their focus was based on survival. Food, shelter, clothing, and safety should not be the focus of a child, but when they are, school, homework, and the future are not priorities in their lives. Most of our children arrive at Texas Boys Ranch an average of 2 years behind academically. Each child needs time to catch up, to learn, to study, to gain the ability to be self-motivated, and the desire to be excited about learning and their future. Our task is to help each child overcome any academic challenges caused by abuse and neglect. This facility will give our children the extra help, focused environment and tools needed to succeed.

The education program will serve the children by creating a zone of focused study and learning:

Improved Study Environment

The children live in one of four cottages with a houseparent couple and eight to ten children in each one, creating a loving home environment. The children attend Roosevelt ISD and are involved in many extra-curricular activities.  The cottage experience is one that can be found in healthy home: play, chores, meals, group activities, and devotionals.  Though the home environment can be ideal for building and strengthening relationships, it can be distracting to children with learning disabilities and other behavioral health issues.

The education center will be equipped with a library, classroom and tutoring area, and a computer lab.  The environment and atmosphere will be designed to encourage a desire to learn and to instill confidence of academic success.  A certified teacher, volunteers, and support staff will welcome each child and offer the assistance needed for success.  The use of computers, library, classroom, and a study area equipped with supportive learning tools will help the children succeed and excel.

 

Therapeutic Recreation Center

The facility can be utilized for organized sports, games, and social activities in a structured environment.  The Education and Therapeutic Recreation Center helps provide children a safe environment for the variety of activities that facilitate healing and positive growth.

West Texas has many forms of inclement weather. We experience massive wind storms, blowing dust, rain, hail, sleet, snow, and extreme heat and cold. The children at Texas Boys Ranch need a facility that they can use for therapeutic counseling and recreation activities when the weather is adverse or when a more controlled environment is better suited for some special needs children. 

Number of Children Served

Texas Boys Ranch is licensed to serve 45 children at any given time.  Typically, however, we limit the program to 32 children.  We utilize wide open spaces for a variety of activities.  However, supervising 32 or more children at any given time is a real challenge, especially outdoors.   Children and staff alike benefit from structured environments that support better supervision and encourage better team and group play.

Issues Facing our Children

It is common for children to become depressed and prone to misbehavior during inclement weather. They are often cooped up in their perspective cottages, not able to play, go outside, or enjoy their physical therapy time. The Recreation Center will give the children new opportunities and improve their behavior and their health.