“When I came to the Ranch, I was very lost in my beliefs, and I had crushed my relationship with my parents to what I thought was the point of no return. My family started to crumble as a whole. This was until I realized it was possible to make the changes needed to create a new, reformed relationship with my family and that I was given a second chance for what I thought I had forever destroyed.
At first, it was very hard to accept that I was at the Ranch, and your child being at the Ranch will most likely be the most difficult task your child will ever face. But change is never easy; it will always take work, and that’s what Resolution Ranch Academy taught me. I apologized to my parents for everything in the past, and they forgave me. I changed my attitude and character from a negative and dangerous evil soul into a person of joy, peace, love, kindness, and much healthier and kind-hearted, developing into the man I needed to be.
The staff is very nice, and I have seen them do a great job attempting to help these kids because it was easy. It was becoming very difficult to deal with the kids, so always keep that in mind to stay focused on yourself and the changes you need to make. The school is very great, and I actually finished in a very fast period of time, which I never thought was possible–a high school graduate at 17.
Being at the Ranch was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life, and I firmly believe that it will continue to be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But if you dedicate all you have within yourself to the process, the change is inevitable. And for the parents, this will 100% without a doubt be the hardest decision you will possibly ever have to make. So if you’re not 10,000% sold on it and have the slightest bit of doubt, don’t send your child to the Ranch. However, if you realize that there are no options left for saving your child and his future, then the choice is to be made.
I learned a lot of things like respect, setting goals, routine building, consistency, and having a loving soul, as well as learning to care for and love each and every soul at this place. But nothing comes close to the two main lessons I learned: 1) Trust God always, and 2) Always be the individual who works the hardest out of anybody in the room because life is a game of toughness and hard work.
I was at the Ranch for 5.5 months and have been back home for over two months. My entire life has changed and transformed before everyone else’s eyes and mine. I have never done so well after the lessons I learned that I had stated above. I hate that this had to be the decision, but it was the only decision that could save me, and I can never thank Resolution Ranch enough for the transformation they had the privilege to instill in me. God Bless!”
*This story has been adapted to protect our student’s identity. The name/photo are pseudonyms chosen for privacy reasons.
