Madison’s Perspective 2020 Eagle Ranch Graduate At first, the Ranch was very hard because I did not grow up with structure. I just kind of did whatever I wanted. It was also weird, because I never had a mother or father figure in my life. Everybody that I cared about and loved in my life left. Being at Eagle Ranch was a blessing. It’s like having a family and people who love and care about you — people who never walk out on you. It was lots of fun being in the Praise Home with my Houseparents, Markie and Daniel, their daughters Aslyn and Brooklyn, and my Program Assistant, Emily. Eagle Ranch taught me how to love and care for people again in a healthy way. Eagle Ranch has helped me grow as a person, but also helped me grow as a woman, little sister, daughter, friend and a future mother. Eagle Ranch is a great support system for whatever you are going through; no matter your situation, they are there for you and your family. The Ranch gives you the chance to experience new opportunities—you learn new skills and everything else you need for life, including your education. Eagle Ranch helped me grow as a person, but also helped me grow as a woman, little sister, daughter, friend and a future mother. Lori’s Perspective Lori, Madison’s Legal Guardian Eagle Ranch is so much more than a program. The combined heartbeat of the many lives that pour into your family here is not something that can be measured. Upon graduating this program, I still struggle to believe a place like this exists: one where your child can decompress from all of the pressures and influences of life and simply figure out who they are and who they want to be. Just to be given the time and space to do that is so vital. The program works tirelessly to garner trust, respect and nurture the individual needs of your child, which always includes repairing the family unit. They say kids push boundaries to see if anyone cares enough to push back. Instinctively, we do push back creating friction and discord. Eagle Ranch teaches you to stop shoving and lean in. Because the truth is, your kid is just fighting for a relationship with you. It will take time to earn their trust. At first, fear will likely intensify those behaviors or habits. But just like when they were so little—they watch you! Over time, as they witness your investment, they will lower their guard and follow your lead. For us, Eagle Ranch created a safe place for heart change. Because of the undercurrent of love, the structure and consistency became medicine for our emotional wounds. God is at work here. My family is not perfect, but we are in a healthy relationship now and will continue to use the tools we learned while at Eagle Ranch. Do you know a family that needs help? Contact 770.967.8500 or EagleRanch.org
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