Heritage Ranch needs volunteers

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By Lauren Hendrix

In 2006, Heritage Ranch opened its doors and hearts to kids in the community who are considered at risk. These are kids that Director and Founder Vicki Ellis stated, "are often discounted by society as 'bad' kids who just want to cause trouble, but when we work with them, we find youth with amazing potential who desire to achieve academically. They are very frequently dealing with a lack of resources, high poverty environments and a hopes mindset because those around them are living a defeated lifestyle."

Heritage ranch was the brainchild of Ellis who interned at a similar organization after graduating from high school. Having dealt with abuse from her own childhood, she became inspired by what that facility was trying to accomplish. Upon returning to Baton Rouge, she discovered that there were not any volunteering options to help young people in crisis. Therefore, while working on a Masters in Social Work, she began to put together a plan for Heritage Ranch. Then in 2006, Heritage Ranch began to work with the youths at Valley Park Alternative School.

Heritage Ranch now helps students in elementary, middle and high schools at West Feliciana Alternative School and continues to work with students at Valley Park Alternative School here in Baton Rouge.

Currently, Heritage Ranch is in need of volunteers. There are multiple ways for a student to get involved, even if they do not have a lot of time.

For those that want to be hands on with the youths in our community, there is mentoring. As a mentor, a volunteer gets to know a student in the Heritage Ranch Life Skills program. Ellis explained that a mentor is a "model to youth of what it looks like to be a healthy and contributing member of a family, workplace and the community."

The organization also needs volunteers who want to help in its offices. Anything from administrative duties, marketing, Web site design and event planning would be greatly appreciated. According to Ellis, "We will work with any student to find them a place to contribute and feel their time is being put to productive use in affecting the lives of our kids and families."

Upcoming events that Heritage Ranch needs help with include: Cocktails at the Crescent Spring Gala, the 2010 Annual Campaign Kick-off Breakfast, "Super" Bowling with Joe Addai and Friends and Aquinas Benefit Tennis Tournament.

Ellis believes that if, "We, 'the ranch', and the community will act as the hands and the feet of the Lord to provide hope, opportunity, knowledge and respite for these families, then they can and will overcome their crisis and create a legacy of hope and success for themselves and the generations to follow. Heritage Ranch intends to restore to people the inheritance of faith, family and personal value which each person is inherently born with as a child of God."

For more information on Heritage Ranch, their upcoming events, mentoring and other volunteering opportunities contact Heritage Ranch at 225-302-7932 or go to their Web site at www.hrbr.org.

Originally Published: Issue 863 - February 3, 2010

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