Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches
Encyclopedia
Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc. (FSYR, Inc.) is a 501c3 non-profit residential child and family services
organization founded by The Florida Sheriffs Association
in 1957. FSYR, Inc.’s mission is to prevent juvenile delinquency
and develop strong, lawful, resilient and productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to their communities for years to come.
, the Ranch aimed to act as a home for needy, neglected and unwanted boys.Though the project struggled to stay afloat in its first few years of operation, the Boys Ranch developed into a popular and highly successful program. In 1971, ground was broken for a sister program to the Boys Ranch – the Girls Villa, followed by a third Youth Ranch in 1975.
In 1977, the Boys Ranch, Girls Villa and a third Youth Ranch merged into one legal entity known as the Florida Sheriffs Youth Fund. In 1986, the Youth Fund underwent another title transformation as it legally changed its name to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc. The program now consists of six sites throughout the state, and operates independently from the Florida Sheriffs Association, though the Sheriffs remain key supporters. Since its founding, the FSYR, Inc. has served more than 100,000 boys and girls and their families.
Child and family services
Child and family services is a government and/or non-profit organisation designed to better the well being of individuals who come from unfortunate situations, environmental or biological. People who seek or are sought after to participate in these services, usually do not have stable homes and no...
organization founded by The Florida Sheriffs Association
Florida Sheriffs Association
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a non-profit professional association of Florida’s 67 elected Sheriffs, along with approximately 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 citizens throughout the state. The FSA’s mission is to enhance law enforcement through educational and charitable purposes within...
in 1957. FSYR, Inc.’s mission is to prevent juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency is participation in illegal behavior by minors who fall under a statutory age limit. Most legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles, such as juvenile detention centers. There are a multitude of different theories on the causes of crime, most if not...
and develop strong, lawful, resilient and productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to their communities for years to come.
History
In 1957, the Florida Sheriffs Association founded the first Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch. With $5,000 and 140 acre (0.5665604 km²) of donated land on the banks of the Suwannee RiverSuwannee River
The Suwannee River is a major river of southern Georgia and northern Florida in the United States. It is a wild blackwater river, about long. The Suwannee River is the site of the prehistoric Suwannee Straits which separated peninsular Florida from the panhandle.-Geography:The river rises in the...
, the Ranch aimed to act as a home for needy, neglected and unwanted boys.Though the project struggled to stay afloat in its first few years of operation, the Boys Ranch developed into a popular and highly successful program. In 1971, ground was broken for a sister program to the Boys Ranch – the Girls Villa, followed by a third Youth Ranch in 1975.
In 1977, the Boys Ranch, Girls Villa and a third Youth Ranch merged into one legal entity known as the Florida Sheriffs Youth Fund. In 1986, the Youth Fund underwent another title transformation as it legally changed its name to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc. The program now consists of six sites throughout the state, and operates independently from the Florida Sheriffs Association, though the Sheriffs remain key supporters. Since its founding, the FSYR, Inc. has served more than 100,000 boys and girls and their families.
Services
FSYR, Inc. provides three main areas of services to the state. These include:- Nationally renowned residential child-care campuses, cottages and villas throughout the state of Florida that offer a stable home and devoted staff to needy children.
- Camping services that provide a wholesome atmosphere and camping experience for boys and girls ages 10–15.
- Community based clinical and family facilities that provide social services for youth and their families.
Locations
FSYR has established six facilities throughout the state. The locations are:- Live Oak, FloridaLive Oak, FloridaLive Oak is a city in Suwannee County, Florida. The city is the county seat of Suwannee County and is located east of Tallahassee, Florida. The population was 6,480 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,828 ....
(founded in 1957 as the Boys Ranch). - Bartow, FloridaBartow, FloridaBartow is the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census, the city had a...
(founded in 1972 as the Girls Villa). - Safety Harbor, FloridaSafety Harbor, FloridaSafety Harbor is a city on the west shore of Tampa Bay in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It was incorporated in 1917. The population was 17,203 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 17,550....
(founded in 1975 as the Youth Ranch, the first ranch to allow brothers and sisters to stay together). - Barberville, FloridaBarberville, FloridaBarberville is an unincorporated community in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It is located at the intersection of State Road 40 and US 17.-Geography:Barberville is located at ....
(formerly a Girl ScoutGirl Scouts of the USAThe Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
Camp, the Youth Camp was acquired by the Youth Ranches in 1982). - Inglis, FloridaInglis, FloridaInglis is a town located in Levy County, Florida, United States. It is located on U.S. Highway 19 near the Cross Florida Greenway. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,491. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
(originally leased in 1986 to FSYR, Inc. by W.W. Caruth, Jr. The deed to the Caruth Camp was presented to the FSYR in 1996). - Bradenton, FloridaBradenton, FloridaBradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
(founded in 1984 as the Manatee RiverManatee RiverThe Manatee River is a river in Manatee County, Florida. The river arises in the northeastern corner of Manatee County and flows into the Gulf of Mexico at the southern edge of Tampa Bay. The Manatee River has a watershed that is approximately . Lake Manatee, an artificial reservoir, is located...
Youth Ranch. In 1991, FSYR, Inc. merged the program into their statewide network of residential childcare facilities).