Creating Pathways to Hope and Healing

By Dr. Christina Vela

CEO, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children

For nearly 60 years, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has been a place of refuge for abused, neglected, homeless, and exploited children and young adults. We exist to create pathways to hope and healing—offering safety, stability, and the sense of belonging that every child and young person deserves.

We provide a safe and loving environment where those impacted by trauma can recover, build relationships, and take steps toward brighter futures. From our beautiful Boulder City campus overlooking Lake Mead to our transitional living programs in Las Vegas, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children plays a vital role in fostering resilience and helping vulnerable youth realize their potential.

Who We Are

As a non-denominational 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with the ultimate goal to break the cycle of abuse and empower children and young people to become thriving, positive members of the community. Every day, our dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters stand beside youth who have faced incredible challenges—offering compassion, guidance, and the tools they need to heal.

Who We Serve

We serve children ages 0–18 and transition-aged youth ages 18–24 who have been abused, neglected, homeless, and/or trafficked. We also support young families who have been directly impacted by these experiences. By meeting people where they are, we provide comprehensive, individualized care rooted in dignity, respect, and love.

How We Help

Our programs are designed to nurture potential and create sustainable pathways toward independence and wellness. We provide wraparound services that combine safety, treatment, education, and empowerment for every child and young person we serve.

Treatment Foster Care

From early childhood education to teen leadership initiatives, we’re committed to nurturing potential in a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment. Through our treatment foster care program, trained foster families help children heal from trauma, develop trust, and form healthy connections while participating in specialized therapeutic support.

Homeless and Community Services

Our homeless and community programs for transition-aged youth provide stability, empowerment, and opportunity for young adults experiencing homelessness.

We offer rapid re-housing, a drop-in center, transitional housing, clinical services, educational support, job training, and post-secondary scholarships. Each of these services is designed to meet young people’s unique needs and help them thrive as they build independent, successful lives.

Healing Center

Our first of its kind in the country purpose-built Healing Center offers a safe haven for children who are victims of sex trafficking. Designed with trauma sensitivity, the Healing Center includes six homes with holistic treatment options, survivor advocates, and an on-site Clark County School District school.

Our Legacy

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has a proud and storied history. Founded nearly six decades ago by Father Jack Adams—alongside support from Frank Sinatra, the Rat Pack, and a community of devoted volunteers—our organization was built on compassion, commitment, and the belief that every child deserves love and a second chance.

From those early days, we have supported thousands of children and young people on the long and difficult journey from victim to survivor to thriving member of society. Our history is defined by remarkable acts of kindness and resilience, laying a foundation that continues to attract donors, volunteers, and advocates united in the same spirit of hope.

We don’t see our mission as a rescue; we see it as a promise to walk alongside every young person we serve—supporting them through each stage of change and planting seeds of hope until they flourish. With a longstanding commitment to breaking cycles of trauma and instability, we create nurturing environments where lives can grow and futures can take shape.

Where We Are Headed

As we look ahead, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is committed to growing and expanding so that every child and young person in our community has the space, support, and resources they deserve.

Growing Proven Programs

We are building on our existing successful programs—including therapeutic residential foster care, homeless youth and young family services, and sibling preservation.

Expanding New Initiatives

Each year, thousands of children fall victim to sex trafficking, enduring tremendous physical and emotional harm. We are committed to expanding our programming to provide a safe, healing place for every survivor—meeting them with care and restoring their sense of self-worth and purpose.

Reaching New Fundraising Benchmarks

Significant funding is needed to help children and youth who have experienced trauma rebuild their lives. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children thrives because of community champions who invest in this vital work. Every donation, volunteer hour, and partnership helps us continue to create pathways to hope and healing.

How You Can Help

The life-changing impact we make is only possible through the dedication of generous supporters—people like you who believe every child deserves love, safety, and opportunity.

Whether you give financially, volunteer your time, or help spread the word, your involvement builds brighter futures for the children and families we serve.

Join us. Be part of the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children family and help us ensure that no child walks the road to healing alone. Together, we can create lasting change—one child, one story, and one act of compassion at a time. www.stjudesranch.org

Connect With Dr. Christina

Facebook: @StJudesRanch

X/Twitter: @StJudesRanch

Instagram: @stjudesranchforchildren

www.stjudesranch.org