Arkansas Baptist Ranch Helps Children and Young Adults

Arkansas Baptist Ranch helps boys and girls needing a home and support.

Heather Fitzgerald and Brandy Urioste appeared on KHOZ's "Around The Table" to discuss the ranch. Urioste is the director of the ranch. Fitzgerald is the foster care support representative and a former foster care mom. The ranch is part of Arkansas Baptist Children and Family Ministries.

It was formerly known as the Arkansas Baptist Boy's Ranch. Urioste said they don't take in boys from juvenile services any longer. They did this to care for more people.

"Our emphasis is large sibling groups and hard-to-place teens," Urioste said. She explained that foster homes normally can't make room for a large group of siblings because there aren't ample homes in the state to meet the need "at one time."

She recalled that a group of seven siblings could have been separated across the state if it weren't for the ranch. The ranch cottages are big enough to keep siblings together.

While they take children ranging from infants to 18-year-olds, Urioste said that they don't "say goodbye" to the child once they hit age 18. She said they help them as they move into adult life.

Although the ranch is based in Arkansas, they work with foster parents in various states. Fitzgerald said the organization continually seeks volunteers.

Arkansas Baptist Ranch is available by phone at (870) 741-5784, and there is also a website. More was discussed on the broadcast.

The full interview with Urioste and Fitzgerald is available on the "Around The Table" Facebook Page.