Working with juvenile delinquents taught Andrew Watson the necessity of reaching children early.
Focused on his theory that a positive, pro-Christian environment is needed for proper development, Watson began plans for a new facility, one in which he would target abused and neglected children before they reached the judicial system.
One year after opening the Soaring Wings Christian Home and Ranch, Watson says his plan is working well.
"We've had the privilege to serve 13 children," he said.
Those children are referred to Watson either by the Department of Health and Human Services or through family members or guardians, he said.
With a home for both boys and girls and two sets of house parents to raise them his next plan is to expand the operational areas of the ranch, hoping to put his office in a more permanent location.
Other buildings have begun to crop up around the 200-acre rural Faulkner County ranch, which operates completely debt-free.
"Our newest building is the Hospitality Home, which was donated by Beverly and John Eads, for guests to come and stay overnight," he said.
As for the donations, they continue to pour in from across the state. A planned half-marathon will take place Oct. 5 in Conway, with all proceeds going to benefit the ranch and a planned scholarship fund for its residents.
Other donations will aid the children directly. For instance, Watson hopes to give additional offerings to the children, including the creation of an eight to 10-acre lake, in which he will provide canoes and paddle boats.
"It all does go to benefit the child," Watson said.
Looking at
emotional needs
As these children have been abused or neglected in the past, Watson realizes a need to heal their emotional anguish.
Because of this, one of his first steps in creating the home was to hire a licensed practice counselor.
Dwight Decker of Heber Springs filled this full-time counseling need about a year and a half ago, and remains committed to the children's needs.
"I do Christian-based counseling," he said.
He said it can be tough when children first come to the ranch, depending on their emotional needs. "Usually children ... respond very quickly to behavioral modification," he said.
As part of his treatment for the children, he requires both one-on-one sessions and group sessions with each house.
Those group sessions, Watson said, help resolve problems. "That's where the whole family gets together to work through issues," he said.
Seeing Success
The past year has seen many success stories for the children at the ranch.
One 17-year-old boy, for instance, recently scored a 24 on the ACT.
"He's got a couple more times to take it, but I anticipate him going on to college," Watson said.
Education is something Watson and his staff advocate, continually monitoring each student's grades and providing tutoring to those in need.
However, it's not all hard work. He hopes to expand outside activities for the children, including vacations.
So far, the girls and boys have been able to visit Wild River Country, go to movies and attend Arkansas Travelers games in North Little Rock.
It all goes toward part of Watson's goal to give the children a regular life experience.
He understands the need for this, as he and his wife, Marla, have two children of their own, 3-year-old Ty and 9-month-old Julia.
Watson admits he and his staff deal with the same issues any other family would face, including letting the older children have jobs and pursue dating.
While that might sound daunting, he said they take it a step at a time. With dating, "we have to meet the person and their parents, just as I would with my own children," he said.
The benefit of the family atmosphere, Watson said, goes beyond the children's time at the home.
"We're not going to forget about them when they graduate," he said. "We're going to make sure they get into vocational training of some sort or that they get into college."
(Staff writer Jerrica Ryan can be reached by e-mail at jerrica.ryan@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1266. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)
