Agape Ranch is Building a Neighborhood for Foster Children to Call Home
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In South Texas, there are not enough homes for children to take refuge while their lives are in flux, so we are building a literal neighborhood, complete with homes, playgrounds, recreational areas, and onsite respite care providers to love and support foster children. This will:
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Keep sibling groups together;
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Provide quick response respite care; and
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Provide housing for kids who have aged out of foster care.
Children deserve to have someone tuck them into bed each night, to help them with their homework, to teach them how to ride a bike, and to watch them grow up. However, there are children in the foster care system that have not been able to have some of these things.
Through compassionate care and connection to the community, Agape Ranch gives these children places to call home and families that love them so that they can know that they are loved and valued.
Find out more about the three types of homes in the neighborhood at The Ranch.
Standard Capacity Home 1
Foster Families with 3 - 6 children
Started. Projected Completion Fall 2022.
High Capacity Home 1
Aging Out Foster Youth
Foster Families with 5 - 6 children
Standard Capacity Home 2
Foster Families with
3 - 6 children
OVER ALL VIEW
HAMMERHEAD STREET VIEW
OVERHEAD VIEW
VIEW OF HOUSE B
ACTIVITY FIELD
CUL DE SAC
COMMUNITY BUILDING
GAZEBO
Agape Ranch FAQ's​
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What is Agape Ranch?
Many children in foster care feel unlovable because of the abuse they've suffered all their lives. Agape Ranch breaks that cycle by providing compassionate care, connections within the community, and now by creating a neighborhood to give them a place to call home with families that provide unconditional love. Agape Ranch's areas of impact are prevention, foster care, adoption, and aging-out youth. The Ranch will have up to 24 homes, serving up to 128 children at a time and providing high-quality foster care in South Texas.
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Who will be living at the Ranch?
The homes on the Ranch will be independent homes for foster families, respite care providers, and aged out youth.
What are the requirements to live on the Ranch?
Foster families and respite care providers will go through an application process. This process can include verifications such as an FBI background check, references, and additional screenings. Foster families will also need to have successfully fostered for a minimum of one year.
Are the homes on the Ranch group homes?
No, the homes on the Ranch will be independent homes for foster families, respite care providers, and aged out youth. There are 3 different types of foster family homes: Standard House Plan, High-Capacity House Plan, and Respite Care House Plan.
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The Standard House Plan will house a foster family with 3-4 foster children from ages 0-17 with a focus of keeping sibling groups together.
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The High-Capacity House Plan is a multiple use house plan, which can be used by a foster family with 3-6 foster children from ages 0-17, or a supervised home for aged-out foster youth.
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The Respite Care House Plan is for a certified family who will provide respite for foster children, this may include young adults who have aged out of foster care.
What will the Ranch neighborhood look like?
The Ranch neighborhood will be a gated community with up to 24 homes, a community center, and a multipurpose building where foster children, foster families, respite care providers and aged-out youth can receive support and services.
Where is the funding for the Ranch coming from?
The Ranch neighborhood is funded by the community through fundraisers, grants, and private donations.
How many homes are in Phase 1?
Phase 1 includes 10 homes, a community center, and a multipurpose building.
What is respite care and why is it important?
Agape Ranch works with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and local Child Placing Agencies (CPAs) to license individuals to become certified childcare providers, known as Respite Care Providers. Foster parents face unique challenges that arise when caring for children coming from a place of trauma. In order to avoid burnout, their sacrificial lifestyle must be balanced with support. Respite care providers can provide that support by babysitting vulnerable children for up to 14 days.
How long will the children be staying on the Ranch?
The length of stay can vary. DFPS creates a plan of service for each foster child. The length of placement is determined by factors such as biological family reunification, a permanency plan for the child, or a county judge’s decision.
How can I support Agape Ranch?
You can support the mission of Agape Ranch through monetary donations, volunteering, and/or advocacy opportunities.
