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A second chance: Roger’s Story
10/16/2019

This is Roger’s story

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Roger and his little brother came to live at the Ranch in 1977. In fact, they were the very first two residents of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches. Roger’s dad, a disabled Veteran, resided in a nursing home. Roger and his brother lived with their mom.

At ages five and seven, Roger and his little brother ran amuck without adult supervision. They often missed school. Roger said his mom was “not the mother she should have been.”

Missing school meant missing meals since school provided their only sustenance. Often they didn’t eat for days at a time.

They felt hungry and afraid. Because they had no other family, they fended for themselves.

This unfortunate circumstance characterized Roger’s whole life before Sheriff Ed Hall stepped in. Sheriff Hall helped found the Ranch. He knew the Ranch could provide a great home for Roger and his little brother.

Thanks to the Sheriffs of Arkansas and other supporters, Roger received a second chance at the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches.

We are humbled to see lives like Roger’s transformed at the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches. Join others in supporting children like Roger by making a gift today.

Meeting the Growing Need

88Hundreds of children each year in Arkansas are abandoned, neglected, abused – much like Roger. So we keep telling his story. You may have even heard about Arkansas’ foster care crisis in the news. So many foster children in Arkansas wait for loving, safe, and healthy homes.

The Ranch recently opened a new cottage to meet this need. If you’re reading this, we need your support! Please give children like Roger a second chance at childhood with a gift to the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches.

We raise annual funds to operate cottages, stock our pantries, and make each house a loving supportive home. The ASYR provides all Ranchers with clothing and shoes, school supplies, age appropriate toys, and other necessities. Help by making a one-time gift or setting up an automatic monthly contribution.

Roger’s second chance

14671138_10154091068883775_7408881461558053027_nThe Ranch gave Roger a second chance at childhood. At the Ranch, Roger grew into a responsible adult. This photo features Roger with his family at the Ranch’s 40th Anniversary Party. He married his high school sweetheart, and they have two lovely children. Roger travels the globe as a business solutions architect for Tyson Foods, a Fortune 100 company. He also served on the Ranch’s Board of Trustees!

Roger’s story proves that second chances happen when we provide stable, loving homes for children. Roger and his brother gained the opportunity to live healthy lives,  thanks to friends like you and the sheriffs of Arkansas.

The Ranch changes lives

While we wish Roger’s original circumstances represent one isolated case, we know the unfortunate truth. Many Arkansas children face food insecurity. They go to bed hungry each night due to neglect. Others live in abusive homes. Help the Ranch support children by making a one-time gift or setting up an automatic monthly contribution.

Because the Ranch is almost entirely funded through charitable contributions, supporters like you fulfill our mission. You help us provide safe, stable homes for children in need. Thanks to our founders and donors, the Ranches have served as home to more than 2,100 boys and girls since 1976.

The greatest gift you can give a child is a life free from hunger, neglect, and abuse. Even a small gift can help a lot! Select the monthly option when making your donation. A gift of $25 per month is just .83 cents a day (less than the cost of a bottle of water). But it changes children’s lives. Click here to make a one-time or monthly gift today.

Thank you for giving generously to change the life of a child like Roger.

Thankfully,

Nancy Fulton, Chief Executive Officer

P.S. Read Roger’s letter below. Many children who come to the Ranches have similar stories. Your support of the Ranch gives children a second chance to thrive in a safe, healthy, and loving home.

 

ROGER’S LETTER

Dear Nancy,

I’m happy to share my story. Without the Ranch, my life – and my brother’s – could have been tragically different.

My brother and I were basically raised by a single mom since our father was a disabled Veteran living in a nursing home.

Our mom was not the mother she should have been. We didn’t eat on a regular basis and were left to our own devices. As children ages 5 and 7, we ran around footloose in Augusta, Arkansas.

Too often, we missed school, meaning we might not eat for a day or two at a time. We wore whatever we could find. Usually, my brother and I were not clean. We never learned hygiene at all.

The turning point: The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth  Ranches

Thankfully, Sheriff Ed Hall, one of the founders of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, learned about our situation and brought us to the Ranch.

With the lack of understanding about hygiene, a hot shower and a toothbrush at the Ranch were new ideas! When we first came to the Ranch, I had scars. I had to explain to kids that a negligent mother caused my scars. This felt embarrassing. In short I guess it is a miracle we survived long enough to even make it to the Ranch.

The Ranch quickly became home. One of the best parts about being at the Ranch was having structure. Just knowing that we would have three meals a day and clean clothes to wear was great!

And for the first time, I actually got to be a kid! Up until this time, my life had been about taking care of my younger brother.

When I think about the people who had the greatest impact on my life, I think about my house parents, Rick and Cheyenne Ingram. All house parents really care about the kids and are always available to the Ranchers. I can’t thank the Ranch enough for helping make me the man I am today.

Roger’s life today

I am thankful I have a great job with Tyson Foods as Business Solutions Architect working around the world. One of the reasons I have been successful at Tyson is because of the work ethic instilled at the Ranch. Having chores and responsibilities and learning to set goals were key components. I learned life is not free, and a person must work hard to accomplish their goals.

Nancy, please use my story to help supporters understand the importance of their gifts to the Ranch. Thousands of children just like my brother and me could end up in trouble – on drugs or even worse.

The Ranch is a place of restoration, a safe place where kids get a chance to be kids and grow into responsible adults. I know it takes a lot of prayers and financial support to keep the Ranch running and to support this new cottage so more children can be rescued. I’m happy to do anything I can do to help encourage giving.

The Ranch truly saved my life.

I want other children to have this same opportunity.

Roger Wright

Will you help other children like Roger?

98A monthly contribution of just $25 can provide a lot of “firsts” for our kids!

Celebrating a birthday party with cake and a gift

A brand new pair of shoes rather than hand-me-downs

Monthly allowance to teach Ranchers a sense of responsibility

Food for the first animal a child has ever taken care of

A cap and gown for a family’s first high school graduation ceremony

You can help a child celebrate a lot of “firsts” at the Ranch.

Click here to make a one-time or monthly gift.

About @YouthRanches

The Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches provide a loving, safe place to call home for children across Arkansas. Founded in 1976 by Arkansas sheriffs, ASYR has been home to more than 2,300 boys and girls from every corner of the state.