Be the change

The success rate has been life changing at Restoration Ranch.

There was a homeless single mother with two children. She now has her own home with a soon-to-be husband.

There was another woman with drug and alcohol addictions who had suicidal tendencies. After the support of Restoration Ranch, she now is married with her own home.

There was a man who stayed with them and is now working for oil rigs. He is married and has a baby and his own home.

“(We) start changing the way they think and function – pull them away from bad influences,” said Michele Davis, founder and board president of Restoration Ranch. “When you pull them away from that, then they start seeing how to live properly so that they can actually be successful and not be homeless again.”

What is Restoration Ranch?

Restoration Ranch, a nonprofit organization, has been in the Osceola community for five years. It is located at 2746 Kansas St.

It provides a fresh start for those who are struggling and help people achieve security and independence through encouragement, prayer, counseling and support.

Restoration Ranch provides basic needs such as shelter, clothing, mentoring and basic life skills so people in need can focus on overcoming the obstacles that have kept them from living to the fullest.

The ultimate goal is to teach the residents how to be contributing members of the community.

“It’s people who just find themselves in transition, where they’re wanting to make a change in their life or they need help getting on their feet,” said Board Member Kim White.

What it can do

Restoration Ranch has helped to house 23 people, as well as helped them get jobs, diplomas, driver’s licenses and more.

It’s necessary to remember Restoration Ranch isn’t a homeless shelter – it’s for people who want to make a change in their lives. It’s not an easy fix and takes work.

“I think the community’s only as good as its weakest link,” Davis said. “You know, there’s so many who are living couch to couch and living badly, living off the government. And, people like to sweep it under the rug and pretend it isn’t there, but it’s in every community.”

Annex building

Clarke County Hospital donated a hospital annex building to Restoration Ranch. They have been in the process of raising funds to update the sewer system.

Once the project is finished, the annex building will be able to house an extra four to six people depending on gender and family needs.

A house party is planned 5 p.m. June 14 at Restoration Ranch. There will be music, speakers and food.

Davis is excited for the event and for more people to learn about Restoration Ranch.

“It is so rewarding. When you actually see the success story from homeless, drug addiction, alcoholism and all that. … and then, all of a sudden, they’ve got color in their face and they’re smiling and they’re feeling good about themselves,” she said. “They’re doing what it takes to be successful. They’re really working toward something. It’s phenomenal what it does for a person inside.”