Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches facts for kids
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| Founded | 1957 |
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| Type | Child and Family Services Organization |
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Area served
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Florida |
| Website | www.youthranches.org |
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The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches (FSYR) is a special non-profit group. It was started by the Florida Sheriffs Association in 1957. Their main goal is to help young people grow into good, strong, and helpful citizens. They work to guide kids away from trouble and help them become positive members of their communities.
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History of Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches
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In 1957, the Florida Sheriffs Association created the first Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch. They started with $5,000 and 160 acres of land. This land was given to them and was located by the Suwannee River. The Ranch was meant to be a home for boys who needed help or a safe place to live.
At first, the project faced some challenges. But over time, the Boys Ranch became a very successful program. In 1971, they began building a sister program called the Girls Villa. A third Youth Ranch was then added in 1975.
Growth and New Name
In 1977, the Boys Ranch, Girls Villa, and the third Youth Ranch joined together. They became one legal group called the Florida Sheriffs Youth Fund. Later, in 1986, the Youth Fund changed its name again. It became known as the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc.
Today, the program has six locations across Florida. It works independently from the Florida Sheriffs Association. However, the Sheriffs still offer important support. Since it began, the FSYR has helped more than 100,000 boys, girls, and their families.
Services for Youth and Families
The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches offers three main types of services. These services help young people and families across the state.
- Residential Care: They have special campuses, cottages, and villas. These places offer a stable home and caring staff for children who need it.
- Camping Programs: FSYR provides fun and healthy camping experiences. These camps are for boys and girls aged 10 to 15.
- Community Support: They also have local centers that offer social services. These services help young people and their families in the community.
Locations of Youth Ranches
FSYR has set up six different facilities throughout Florida. Each location helps young people in its own way.
- Live Oak, Florida: This was the first location, started in 1957 as the Boys Ranch.
- Bartow, Florida: This site began in 1972 as the Girls Villa.
- Safety Harbor, Florida: Founded in 1975, this was the first ranch to allow brothers and sisters to stay together.
- Barberville, Florida: This location used to be a Girl Scout Camp. The Youth Ranches took it over in 1982.
- Inglis, Florida: This camp was first leased to FSYR in 1986. The land was later given to the FSYR in 1996.
- Bradenton, Florida: This site started in 1984 as the Manatee River Youth Ranch. In 1991, it became part of the FSYR's statewide network.
