We were honored to have Tonya Ratcliff, Executive Director of Peppers Ranch Foster Care Community speak to us at the Oct. 23rd meeting. Tonya has been an advocate of foster care for many years and when given the opportunity to head the Peppers Ranch Facilities, took on the challenge of a lifetime. She is a full time mother, foster mother, adoptive mother, and the chief fundraiser and spokesperson for Peppers Ranch. Tonya explained the mission of Peppers Ranch is to "break the cycle" of child abuse and neglect through loving homes, counseling, and growth-oriented activities. By creating a network of caring foster parents and adult mentors on whom children can depend, Peppers Ranch foster care community is committed to providing a safe and secure environment where physical and emotional wounds can heal. She went on to tell us that with the acquisition of their newest 460 acre facility on HWY 74 they now have the capability of providing care for foster kids who would otherwise age out of regular DHS facilities. Peppers Ranch now is home to 130 foster kids including 32 sibling groups that are being kept together due to their capabilities of caring for these cases. 21 kids were adopted in the past year, and all this with only 5 full time employees. All the rest is with volunteers and foster parents.
Their Vision is "to provide safe loving homes to as many of Oklahoma's abused and neglected children as we are able. By providing the necessary resources and services to foster parents, we sustain a commitment to the children in their care. And, our safe and nurturing community will inspire and equip each child to break the cycle, reach their full potential, and become productive citizens of society".
The Peppers Ranch Black and White Gala is this Saturday evening and she graciously reserved a table for 8 Rotarians. If anyone in the club wishes to attend, let me (the editor) know and I will RSVP Tonya with the details. Tickets are $150.00ea or $275.00 for a couple. Details are on their website at : http://peppersranch.com/ Just scroll down the page and you will find the Black and White Gala information.