Heart of Florida Youth Ranch, Citra, FL (30 + Children)
Meet Director Dr. John Sweet, DMin, Executive Director
Dr. John Sweet has served as Executive Director of Heart of Florida Youth Ranch since 2014 and as a field consultant to orphanages and children’s ministries for Church of God World Missions. John’s experience working with troubled children and caregiving parents provides a unique perspective of experience and competence for parental training and counsel. John is married to Alice, founder of Haven of Hope International. Alice’s passion for moving an orphanage from surviving to thriving provides an amazing partnership in life and ministry.
In 2018, Sweet became part of an awareness initiative regarding the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Florida. The need to care for at-risk children became staggering. The traumatic challenges in caring for these children are heartbreaking. With the needs and numbers of hurting children growing ever larger, the need for training and support regarding the traumatic impact of abuse and loss has become vital. In 2021, The Ranch became licensed as an At-Risk Facility for children who have experienced trafficking or are assessed at high risk of trafficking.
Sweet received his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tenn., where his graduate project focused on care ministry for the 21st century. He has authored several books and has served as a pastor, foster parent, law enforcement chaplain, and crisis intervention specialist with children and families. He has taught courses in the sociology department of Lee University.
HOPE BEGINS HERE
At-Risk / Trafficked Children
Three children all under ten – trafficked by their family. That was one of the first calls we received at The Heart of Florida Youth Ranch for a children who had been trafficked. It was in the early morning hours that we met the detectives at The Ranch. That was about 2017. It is still hard to imagine that this could happen to children.
Today, the calls are daily. The Heart of Florida Youth Ranch exists to serve children who have been abandoned, neglected, abused, and now exploited through sex trafficking. "Hope Begins Here" signifies the start of a transformative journey toward healing and wholeness for every child we serve.
Located in the idyllic horse and cattle ranches of Marion County, Florida, our 38-bed residential facility offers a nurturing environment for holistic well-being in a family setting. Within our four homes, nestled among lush trees and rolling pastures where horses freely roam, children experience a loving atmosphere enriched by unconditional love and acceptance.
Case Management Services
Our Case managers and care parents work diligently to see that every need is met. Each team member is trained in Trauma Informed Care and caring for children who have suffered the impact of trafficking.
We are currently developing Horizon of Hope Academy to provide on-site education to meet the complex educational issues our children face. The school will allow us to help our children recover from educational neglect and further their education.
Ranch’s innovative Unbridled Hope Equine Program employs equine-assisted learning to address the trauma and loss prevalent in our kids. It is incredible to see the horses' intuitiveness and the connection they can have in helping a child work through emotional challenges and learn valuable life lessons.
Clinical Services
Alongside this, we proudly offer Christian-based clinical programs, administered by a licensed therapist to address the trauma our children have endured.
Transition Program
Every few minutes a child ages out of foster care without a high school education or marketable job skill in the USA. Often government programs are lacking or ineffective. The Ranch is seeking to bridge the gap to adulthood with a program designed to further their education and vocational skills. We will be introducing the program in 2025.
The Ranch aims to be that sanctuary for children needing a secure, loving home to heal. We invite you to join us in making a difference in the lives of these children. Donate or click the link to sponsor a child. Your support makes it possible. Thank you for joining their journey towards a brighter, safer future. We are fully licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families as an At-Risk Facility. HOFYR is a private 501c3. We are accredited by the Council of Accreditation, the gold standard for such facilities in the United States. Haven of Hope International has come alongside The Ranch to raise awareness of this amazing ministry and provide child sponsorship. This sponsorship will help provide for services and activities for the children we serve.
Our Mission
Equipping At-Risk children and families to live more effective, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
Our Vision
Called, committed, competent caregivers will provide prevention, intervention, restoration, and empowerment to at-risk children and families through a functioning model and training center in Citra, Florida. From this location, we will partner with select organizations to develop training and support for children’s ministries in the United States and worldwide.
Our Purpose
To honor God by helping heal hurting children and families.
HOW CAN YOU HELP
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
About Citra Florida
Citra, Florida, nestled within Marion County, boasts picturesque landscapes and orange groves, making it an emblem of rural serenity. Yet, beneath this tranquil façade, there's a pressing issue: the escalating number of orphaned and displaced youth. In comparison to urban areas with more extensive resources, rural settings like Citra are often at a disadvantage.
Recent statistics indicate a disturbing rise in children without stable homes in Marion County, with Citra bearing a significant brunt of this trend. The challenges here are unique:
limited transportation options can hinder access to essential services, fewer specialized social programs cater to the needs of these children, and the close-knit nature of smaller communities like Citra can sometimes inadvertently suppress the reporting of issues like neglect or abuse. Given the foundational role of community in towns like Citra, addressing the problem of orphaned youth is crucial not only for the children themselves but for the community's future vitality.