Lighthouse Ranch for Boys serves young men 12 to 17 years of age who have been affected by abuse, neglect, and troubled home lives. Since its founding in 1979, over 1,000 boys have found a safe, stable, and nurturing environment at the Ranch where they can focus on their education and emotional healing. The Boys Ranch operates a fully accredited school on its campus where residents receive one-on-one instruction from a certified teacher. They can also participate in horsemanship and agriculture programs to learn valuable skills and foster a spirit of personal accomplishment. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Ranch relies on charitable contributions to help boys overcome difficult backgrounds and build a foundation for their future success.The Lighthouse Ranch was founded in March of 1979 by Jim and Lovella Yohe. It is located on a beautiful 40-acre site in Southeast Louisiana. More than 1,000 boys have lived at the Ranch and benefited from its program since its founding. Lighthouse Ranch for Boys is a Louisiana licensed, Type IV child residential facility located in Loranger, LA. The program is designed for boys 12 to 17 years of age who are in need of a stable environment. Many of the boys who come to the Ranch were victims of abuse, neglect, addiction, and unstable home environments, which led them to develop maladaptive behaviors. Our support team provides a safe, stable, and nurturing environment that is both educational and therapeutic in nature so that Ranch boys feel secure and able to focus on making choices that improve their lives. Most boys are struggling with academics upon admission to the Ranch, as demonstrated by wide learning gaps, a history of poor school attendance, and/or failing grades--all of which place them at high risk of dropping out and repeating the cycle of poverty. By utilizing a one-on-one approach in a relaxed but structured environment, boys are able to overcome educational deficits and succeed academically. In addition to traditional classroom learning activities, Ranch boys are able to participate in horsemanship and agriculture electives. Learning how to care for animals, ride horses, grow a garden, prepare meals, and complete chores not only facilitates the development of marketable skills for the future, but fosters a spirit of independence and personal growth. Our number-one goal is to give our boys a solid foundation for building a better future.