BRYANT, Ark. (KTHV) - Providing abused, neglected, and at-risk youth a new lease on life is the mission of the Second Chance Ranch.
Located on 300 acres in Bryant, the ranch opened in 2005 to help restore youth and reunify them with their family.
Based on a group home model, all residents live in a "bunk house" with other youth and one set of house parents, creating the most stable home-like environment possible.
"When they first initially come, it's a shock for them," says Nathan Winiecki with Second Chance Ranch. "It's much different than anything they've experienced, to have adults who really love and care about them."
The philosophy of Second Chance Ranch is that day-to-day activities are a means of affecting change in a young person's life by teaching discipline, personal worth, confidence, service, respect, dignity, integrity, and a strong work ethic.
And the program appears to be successful.
"One young man has been at the ranch for four years, he'll graduate high school with over 3.5 grade point average and go on to college," says Winiecki.
Current capacity is 27 youth in residential group homes and Second Chance Ranch hopes to expand this number to 150 but they need the funds, which is why they are holding a special event this weekend.
The SPBR Bull Ride will be Saturday, June 2 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Saline County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. During intermission there will be a chance to win a new truck from Everett Buick GMC.
(Source: Second Chance Ranch)