Francine, a beautiful, young fourteen year old girl came to the Ranch in 2008.  She was not receiving structure, accountability and support from her mother and mother’s boyfriend and was placed in situations that jeopardized her safety.

Francine would be sent from her home by her mother to act as a prostitute and lure drug dealers to a remote location.  Once there, her mother and her mother’s boyfriend would rob these individuals and physically assault them. 

Francine was left in a precarious situation while doing this solicitation for her mother – one that led to her entanglement with juvenile justice.  While her mother and her mother’s boyfriend escaped charges, Francine did not.  In lieu of placing her in detention, state officials worked out a placement situation with St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.  This allowed Francine the opportunity to receive the structure and care she so desperately needed to become a thriving young woman.

When interviewed for placement at St. Jude’s Ranch, Francine cried and pleaded with the staff to allow her to come to the Ranch and “just live life as a kid.”  She spoke about how she cried herself to sleep every night and was distraught because her mother refused to come visit her.

Today, Francine is just like the rest of the young women on campus.  She looks forward to school dances and opportunities to meet other kids her age.  She runs and plays across the campus with a larger than life spirit about her, often setting a wonderful example for other children living with her. 

If you met Francine today you would never believe she once was forced into a life of crime and delinquency.  Now is her time to heal and she has that chance living on the Ranch.  She is able to attend therapy sessions and receive compassionate care from the program staff.  She is just what she always wanted to be – a happy teenager!