Christina Vela, CEO, helps to guide St. Jude’s Ranch for Children into the future.
A Beacon of Hope
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Brings Faith and Healing
BY DEBBIE HALL
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ST. JUDE’S RANCH FOR CHILDREN
In Boulder City, Nevada, the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children campus is a community landmark and an important part of life in Southern Nevada. Since its inception in 1966 and celebrating 57 years, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has provided a safe, nurturing home with therapeutic residential treatment services to abused and neglected children and young people in Nevada. Along with changing so many lives, the Ranch offers campus tours, operates a thrift store, and holds weddings and other religious ceremonies in its beautiful chapel.
The organization’s mission has remained the same: to transform the lives of abused and neglected children.
Dr. Christina Vela, DPP, Chief Executive Officer for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, recently celebrated six years as CEO. She first held the position of chief program officer at St. Jude’s Ranch from 2010 to 2013 and returned when she was offered the CEO position.
“From our perspective, we create pathways for children who are victims of abuse and neglect and for young people experiencing homelessness and exploitation,” says Dr. Vela.
The way this work is accomplished has evolved over the years because the needs of children and young people are much more complex.
“We see the complexity and compounding impact of abuse, and the fact is that many of our children have experienced multiple forms of abuse. Add to that poverty, homelessness, and generational cycles of abuse and exploitation,” explains Dr. Vela. “We are no longer just dealing with a singular issue such as domestic violence or parental mental health issues. The children, young people, and families we serve deal with mental health, substance abuse, and violence, which compounds the effect of abuse.”
Two of the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children youth show the love.
Another aspect of their support is keeping siblings together through its Sibling Preservation Program. One option is for the siblings to remain together at the Ranch. If the siblings are placed in the foster care system and separated, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children holds monthly sibling reunification events, including activities such as movies and attractions. This program is one-of-a-kind in Nevada, and Dr. Vela is assisting in launching a consulting aspect for other organizations to incorporate their own sibling preservation program nationwide.
“We realized that sibling care is an afterthought for many people, and they don’t realize that brothers and sisters are often separated when children are placed in the foster care system. That is devastating since they are already a victim of abuse or neglect. These children are having a tough time transitioning into foster care since they are being removed from their home, separated from one or both parents and are not surrounded by the things they love like a favorite pillow,” says Dr. Vela. “Even if they are abused, children still love their families. To be separated from their siblings is heart-wrenching.”
Camp to Belong was created to keep sibling preservation as a national organization, and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children recently brought this national program into its family of services. They will also support the other Camp to Belong in other states.
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children cares for children from birth to age 25. While children in the foster care system and at the Ranch age out its support system at age 18, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is one of the only organizations that continues to offer support after aging out, including homeless youth services, child victims of sex trafficking services, and support services up to age 25.
“For many kids, when they age out of foster care, without a healthy support system, it is hard to navigate the world. Young people aging out without a support system can make one or two poor decisions with devastating, unintended consequences. Whether it is moving in with an abusive partner or living with a partner’s family until they are kicked out, homelessness is a big problem,” Dr. Vela says.
From left, Christina Vela (CEO), Jackie Poole (Foster Home Supervisor – Hope Project), DaShun Jackson (Program Director) and Kimberly Newton (Youth Care Supervisor)
The St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Transitional Housing Program was started in 2011 and provides transitional housing and services for homeless 18 to 25-year-olds, including intensive daily or weekly case management in an apartment-style residential program. Residents work with their mentors as they become stable, self-sufficient, and productive people. They are connected with appropriate community services while developing a strong sense of self-determination. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is the only nonprofit in Southern Nevada and the only organization in Nevada that provides both child welfare services and youth homeless programs. Other organizations focus on either one or the other.
The housing program assists clients by providing safe housing. They can then focus on developing life skills through education, counseling, and therapy. Financial independence through work is developed through job training, transportation, and support services. Clients receive an individualized plan for independence while working with a case manager.
“We have the unique perspective to serve both because we understand childhood trauma and adversity and since 2011 have served thousands of unhoused individuals and families.”
One of the greatest needs in Southern Nevada is assisting and supporting pregnant teens. Nevada has some of the country’s highest teen pregnancy rates, and teen mothers are typically not ready to parent independently. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Pregnant and Parenting Teen Program addresses that need.
Additionally, former or current students of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children programs can apply for the Career Opportunity Scholarship Fund.
“We have developed programming for children who have fallen through the cracks. We are able to find young people who are not receiving targeted services,” says Dr. Vela. “We research what they need and can help expeditiously improve their lives.”
The history of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children began with Father Jack Adam, an Episcopalian priest, who wanted to create a place where abused and neglected children could feel loved. He named the place after St. Jude, the Patron Saint of Desperate Causes. Alvin Wartman, an attorney in Boulder City, persuaded local government officials to provide 40 acres of land for the campus. The Sisters of Charity, an order of nuns based in Bristol, England, agreed to care for the children. Builders, contractors, and tradesmen offered to help develop the property.
As for future plans, the campus is being expanded on the far east side. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is developing 10 acres of land at the second entrance to be a Healing Center. This facility will be devoted to children who are victims of sex trafficking, and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has been holding a capital campaign since construction started.
“This is a one-of-a-kind project that is unique to Nevada and really across the country that will offer housing, an onsite school in partnership with the Clark County School District, a labyrinth, tortoise habitat, wellness activities surrounded by nature, and more,” states Dr. Vela.
The people who are part of the Leadership Team at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children are committed and passionate about the children. Dedicated professionals—many of whom are licensed and certified in their fields—demonstrate their dedication to the children. They come from various backgrounds, including finance, management consulting, nursing, childcare, compliance, communications, and event planning.
Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Vela moved to Las Vegas with her husband, children, and parents 20 years ago and loved it. She has been a social worker for 30 years and always worked with children and young people who have been victims of abuse and neglect.
“I was a teen mother myself and had some challenging life experiences as a young mother. I attended college, even though it was harder being a young mother. I want to pay it forward and help other girls understand that anything is possible; their life is not over. I want our community to be as safe as possible for everyone, including the most vulnerable and in pain. I love my job and the opportunity to grow our mission and serve more kids and families.”
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s goal is to ensure children recapture lost childhoods and have the opportunity to be kids for the first time.
The thrift store on campus is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., selling donations from the community or surplus items from conventions and businesses. The thrift store is also a training location as part of a job-training program for some youth living at the Ranch.
Donations and volunteering are always accepted.
For more info, visit stjudesranch.org and follow on social media at: Facebook: StJudesRanch and Instagram: stjudesranchforchildren
Above: In Boulder City, Nevada, the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children campus is a community landmark and an important part of life in Southern Nevada.
Help Support St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children will host Badges and Bow Toy Drive in partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Nevada Department of Corrections at Walmart Supercenter, 8060 W. Tropical Parkway, and Sam’s Club, 8080 W. Tropical Parkway. For two days, Dec 2-3, the community can bring new, unwrapped toys, hygiene products, and new clothing to fill buses. Both law enforcement agencies will have staff collecting the items to support the kids, youth, and families throughout the year for the holidays and birthdays.
The following Saturday, Dec. 9, is the annual 17th Night of Lights event starting at 5 p.m. at the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Boulder City campus. The nostalgic event brings the community together to celebrate hope and healing during the holidays.