Purpose

The Bluebonnet Youth Ranch (BYR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has partnered with STCH Ministries to serve as a long-term, residential home for families. BYR is a private care facility that provides residential care and treatment for mothers and their children in need. The facility is located four miles south of Yoakum, Texas. It is situated between San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Victoria to primarily serve the South Texas region, but may accommodate any family in need in the state of Texas. The purpose of the organization is to provide a safe, healthy, family-oriented environment for residents. Bluebonnet strives to provide a life as normal as possible for the families, and offers guidance, discipline and all the advantages for them to grow and achieve their full potential in each aspect of life. Bluebonnet allows families to live free from victimization, and presents every opportunity for them to build better futures for themselves and grow into successful, productive citizens in society. Our goal is to inspire hope, ensure well-being and promote meaningful life choices for our residents.

50+ years of care provided to South Texas

Program designed to help get families back on solid ground

Staff of trained professionals providing amazing care

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Bluebonnet Youth Ranch's History

In 1968, a group of Yoakum businessmen pooled their funds to provide a home and place to stay for five children whose widowed, alcoholic mother left them to receive treatment and job training. Their funds covered rent and paid for a caretaker; however, a short time later the Welfare Department intervened claiming it was illegal to operate a home for dependent and neglected children without a license. Word quickly spread through the rural Texas community and a generous patron, Anne Barre, came forth and donated 50 acres of land to serve as the location for the facility. The seed was planted and funds began to be raised. In 1972, the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch officially opened its doors as a nonprofit provider of residential care for dependent, abused and neglected children, and has since then cared for an estimated 600 children between infancy and 18 years of age from 68 different Texas towns. In 2021, Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, facing extreme legislative changes to childcare facilities in the state of Texas partnered with STCH Ministries to provide care to children and their mothers with a Home for Families program. This change allows forBYR to care for more residents and increase the amount of care offered them while at the ranch. We now can provide much needed care for two generations at one time. BYR continues to serve South Texas as a Home for Families.

Bluebonnet Youth Ranch: A History of Caring Book

Written by Claud Jacobs and Sonny Long, “Bluebonnet Youth Ranch: A History of Caring” was published in September by the University Press of Victoria housed at the University of Houston-Victoria Proceeds from the book benefit Bluebonnet and UHV Athletics.

“We wanted to make it a win-win situation for UHV and Bluebonnet,” Jacobs said. “UHV is an important part of the community. The university is significant not only for educational reasons, but also for economic development. Bluebonnet has made a tremendous impact on the lives of our children.”

Jacobs is the last living person from the original board of directors. He asked Long to help him write the book to make sure the ranch’s history was preserved. Long is a retired journalist who made numerous trips to the ranch while working for the Victoria Advocate from 2005 to 2014.

The book includes anecdotes about the entertainers who have visited the ranch or put on fundraisers.

“When you take a look at the list of celebrities that have lent a hand, there are more than 100 names,” Jacobs said. “Larry Gatlin, who wrote the forward for the book, has done nine free benefits for Bluebonnet. You don’t get people to do that unless they come out and see the ranch and understand what it’s doing.”

The book also contains several interviews with early residents of the ranch. Sandy Siecko and her sister, Audrey, moved to the ranch in 1972. The sisters attended school, did chores, took care of animals and went to church.

“It was a good life,” Sandy Siecko said during an interview with Long that appears in chapter six. “It showed me what life was really about. It showed me how people should live and behave instead of always fussing and fighting.”

The book was designed and the publication arranged by Charles Alexander, UHV poet and designer in residence. University Press of Victoria began in 2010 and focuses on publishing books written by local authors.
“UHV and Bluebonnet Youth Ranch understand the importance of preserving history,” UHV President Vic Morgan said. “Claud and Sonny did a wonderful job telling the story of the ranch and its residents while capturing the cooperative spirit that has been prevalent at Bluebonnet since the beginning. This reading is a great chance to hear more about the book and the ranch directly from the authors.”

Paperback Book $15

Hardback Book $25

Leadership

Staff

Meet the people who make the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch happen.

Board of Directors

Meet the member of our Board at the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch.

Partners

Meet the People who make STCH Ministries happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

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