Edgewood Children's Ranch: Providing Hope for a Better Future
The Floridant/10208638

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Floridant -- The Edgewood Children's Ranch program is voluntary, and the parent and child are asked to reach an agreement to work within the Ranch's guidelines. Children stay at the Ranch for two years on average and are evaluated at the end of each school year to determine if they should return to the program. Parents must also participate in the program, through parenting classes and attending weekly Chapel.

Children live full time at the Ranch in cottages and attend the accredited on-site school; the school maintains a ratio of one teacher for every 8 to 10 students. The children have visitation with their parents each Sunday afternoon, go home on designated weekends throughout the school year, and have holidays and summer break at home.

Students are accepted on the basis of need and the desire to participate rather than the ability to pay. The Ranch asks that families pay towards the monthly tuition, but most families are unable to afford the full amount. As a result, the Ranch reaches out to the local community for support and holds several fundraisers throughout the year. Funding for Edgewood Children's Ranch comes from community support in the form of donations, grants and in-kind gifts. The Ranch does not take state or federal funding.Edgewood works with children often labeled "at-risk," "troubled" and "rebellious." Many have backgrounds that include drugs, alcohol, inappropriate sexual behavior, running away, failing in school, disrespect and violence. Traumatic experiences such as divorce, abuse, loss of a family member, negative peer influence, and other painful situations have led them to cope using negative behavior. Edgewood offers hope to these children, rehabilitating youth-at-risk and working closely with their families, returning children to their homes and society as healthy, functioning young people.

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Located on more than 100 acres across the lake from MetroWest Golf Club, the nonprofit, residential program helps boys and girls ages 7-17 address and overcome behavioral issues in a positive, safe environment. Today, the Ranch accommodates up to 56 students at a time, providing structure, a loving home environment, academic remediation, behavioral training and a safety net for their troubled lives, along with love and prayer.

Find out more about Edgewood Children's Ranch at www.centralfloridalifestyle.com.