Many children in foster care feel unlovable because of the abuse they’ve suffered all their lives. Far too many young adults aging out of the foster care system will become homeless, incarcerated, in prostitution, sex trafficked, or dead within three years. Staggering truths like these led Susan Klaus to form Agape Ranch in 2014.

Agape Ranch is a thriving faith-based non-profit offering a forward-thinking and compassionate community-based solution to the foster care crisis facing America today. For example, when many foster children age out of the system, they have lived in an average of 12 foster homes. Children as young as four-years-old may have had up to five foster parents, as was the case for one of Tim and Susan Klaus’ sons. All too often, troubled or challenging children get passed on from one family to another without being properly diagnosed and assisted with a medically sensitive treatment plan.

With more than a dozen programs and events aimed at supporting foster families and foster children and youth, Agape Ranch has shown God’s unconditional love to hundreds of vulnerable children, foster families, and at-risk families through its church and business partnerships, volunteers, and staff.

This was the case for Brittany and Aaron Arjona. It was easy for the Arjonas to become foster parents, but they had little support during their first two years as foster parents. Thankfully they discovered Agape Ranch and the support they give, which has given them the confidence to welcome more children into their home. Respite care, having someone listen, doing respite care for other families, sending their kids to foster parent night out, and foster parent support group have all been instrumental.

Recently, God made way for the Klauses to meet the Meaney family, who donated 11 acres of land in Corpus Christi to develop The Ranch. The Ranch is a neighborhood with up to 24 homes intended to keep sibling groups together, support foster children so they can mature in all aspects of their lives, and provide a place for aged-out foster youth while they progress into adulthood. The neighborhood will feature playgrounds and a community center. Completion of the first home will be finalized following several city approvals, specifically for sewer and water. Upon completion, this self-sustaining community will care for up to 132 foster children and young adults at a time.

After experiencing delays in developing the Ranch in 2020 due to COVID-19, Agape Ranch found a partner with the Foundation to steward their resources. Rising construction costs and other external economic factors presented a unique opportunity to create investment policies that would match its organization’s low-risk strategy yet prepare for increased costs. The Foundation’s investment products allowed Agape Ranch to maximize its ministry’s impact in 2021 as they broke ground on their first home in January of the same year.

Completing the development of The Ranch neighborhood is a high priority, but funding needs remain. Agape Ranch relies on donations and grants for the completion of the neighborhood. On Saturday, September 24, Agape Ranch will host the Legacy Gala: A Starry Evening presented by Chick-Fil-A of the Coastal Bend at the American Bank Center. It will be a night to learn about the needs of vulnerable children in foster care and how their programs have grown to meet the children’s needs.

For more information about Agape Ranch and the services they provide to foster children and families, visit agaperanch.org

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