WTWest Texas Boys Ranch
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About West Texas Boys Ranch
At West Texas Boys Ranch, boys ages 6 to 17 live in family-style cottages with full-time, live-in cottage parents who offer guidance and role modeling. Alongside residential care, they can get homework help, counseling referrals, ranch responsibilities, mentorship, and support planning for adulthood. During the reported year, the San Angelo organization cared for an average of 17 boys, and its residential program can serve up to 39.
This is residential care shaped around everyday family life on a working ranch. Boys attend local public schools, care for and ride horses, take on ranch responsibilities, and can earn money through summer work, while older boys receive help with career counseling, college scholarships, vocational training, and work opportunities.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Residential care
Licensed basic residential child care for boys ages 6 to 17 in a Christian, family-style environment.
Family-style cottage living
Each boy lives in a ranch cottage with up to eight boys and full-time, live-in cottage parents who provide guidance and role modeling.
Transitional living services
Services help older boys prepare for adulthood, including career counseling, college scholarships, vocational training, and work opportunities.
Education and academic support
Boys attend local public schools and can receive homework help and skill-building through the on-site Learning Center.
Horsebarn Program
Boys learn to care for and ride horses.
Work Bell Program
Boys can earn money during the summer by helping with ranch operations.
Counseling referrals
The organization refers boys to West Texas Counseling & Guidance for mental health support, including individual counseling as needed.
Family visitation and reunification support
The organization coordinates family visitation and encourages reunification when possible.
Referral services
The organization provides referrals to other agencies when it cannot meet a family's needs or when a child requires a higher level of care.
About this work
Mission
West Texas Boys Ranch provides loving, caring families and homes for boys in need so they can become healthy, happy, self-sufficient citizens.
Who they serve
Boys ages 6 to 17 who need basic to moderate residential care, including disadvantaged and at-risk boys from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Their impact
- During the reported year, West Texas Boys Ranch provided care to an average of 17 boys.
- The residential program can serve up to 39 boys.
How your donation helps
- Safe home and family-style living
- Nutritious meals and clothing
- Academic and life-skills education
- Counseling and mentorship
- Opportunities to work with livestock and learn responsibility through the ranch program
Need help?
How someone in need can access West Texas Boys Ranch’s services.
Parents, legal guardians, community members, churches, schools, counselors, friends, family members, and juvenile probationers can make referrals. A custodial parent or guardian submits an application, the boy participates in an initial interview, and the boy must agree to admission and participation. Families can begin by completing the pre-admission form or calling the Admissions Department at (325) 949-1936. The organization states that its Admissions Department responds within 48 business hours.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Kirby Cope, alumnus and board member: "West Texas Boys Ranch saved my life twice - both physically and spiritually."
Kirby Cope, alumnus and board member: "I'm thankful that God strategically placed people in my life trained to know and understand."
Jim, alumnus: "The structured life at the West Texas Boys Ranch, along with the responsibilities and rewards, had a huge impact on my future."
Chris Barker, alumnus: "West Texas Boys Ranch was a home, a school, a church, and a community."
Grant support
$1,542,530 from 11 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- RACHEL LYMAN CHARITABLE TRUST — $80,217 (2024)UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
- Mary Ellen Kent Bunyard Family — $30,000 (2024)Provide horse care feed, tack/bridle sets, saddles, veterinary & farrier costs at home for boys.
- PATRICIA PRUITT IVEY TRUST — $24,752 (2024)SAN ANGELO COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
- COCANOUGHER FOUNDATION — $15,000 (2024)YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES
- STOREHOUSE FOUNDATION — $3,000 (2024)OPER SUPPORT
- JAMES A BUDDY DAVIDSON — $144,137 (2023)UPDATE APPLIANCES,PAINT,REPAIR
- RACHEL LYMAN CHARITABLE TRUST — $72,187 (2023)UNRESTRICTED GENERAL
- JAMES B AND LOIS R ARCHER — $41,405 (2023)THE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE LOVING, CARING FAMILIES AND HOMES FOR BOYS IN NEED SO THEY CAN BECOME HEALTHY, HAPPY, SELF-SUFFICIENT CITIZENS.
Events
Ranch Rodeo
AnnualAn annual event that highlights the Horsebarn Program and the boys’ experience caring for and riding horses.
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- 501(c)(3) public charity recognition
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How do boys live at West Texas Boys Ranch?
Each boy has his own bedroom in a ranch cottage shared with up to eight boys and full-time, live-in cottage parents. The cottage works as a family unit, with guidance and participation in daily life built into the experience.
How does the program support education?
Boys attend San Angelo Independent School District public schools. Limited online or on-campus charter-school spots are also available. At the on-site Learning Center, they can use computers and a library, work with the education coordinator, and receive tutoring for homework and skill-building.
What support is available for mental health?
West Texas Boys Ranch refers boys to West Texas Counseling & Guidance within the first 30 days of placement and can make additional referrals to a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor for minor substance use.
How does the Ranch prepare boys for adulthood?
Boys build responsibility through ranch work, the Work Bell Program, and daily activities. Older boys may be eligible for jobs in town, and the organization offers career counseling, college scholarships, and vocational training through the West Texas Boys Ranch Foundation.
How does family connection fit into the program?
Each boy receives an individualized Plan of Service. The organization coordinates family visitation, and mandatory home visits take place during specified school breaks. Reunification with family is encouraged when possible.
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