About Ben Richey Boys Ranch

About Ben Richey Boys Ranch
*Raising boys today...*		*To raise families tomorrow!*

Ben Richey Boys Ranch serves as a private, nonprofit basic child care facility. Ben Richey Boys Ranch will provide a clean, comfortable and safe home for each boy at the Ranch. Through the nurturing and guidance of house parents and staff, each boy will develop confidence and learn to take responsibility for his actions. Upon completion of a boy’s tenure at the Ranch, it is our intent that he be a contributing, responsible member of society.

The 80-acre Ranch, located in south Abilene at 501 Ben Richey Drive, consists of three homes, one relief cottage, gym, pool, livestock pens, administrative center and more.

Ben Richey Boys Ranch also has a satellite campus located 1 1/2 miles south of Albany, Texas. It is situated on 80 acres and consists of a home for 8 young men, a relief home, livestock pens, and an Ag barn/shop facility.

Ben Richey Boys Ranch is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as a 24-hour residential child-care facility, authorized to admit boys from 6 to 14 years of age. Ben Richey Boys Ranch is a member of the Texas Coalition of Homes for Children and Southwestern Association of Executives of Homes for Children.

History of the Ranch

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Richey

Ben Richey founded the Abilene Boys Ranch in 1947. While working as Police Commissioner of Abilene, Richey was involved in an Abilene youth boxing program as well as a Scoutmaster. He began to notice through these activities how boys in the area who were without Christian role models fell into the same rut. Too often bad attitudes led to poor school performance, which turned into trouble with the law, and sometimes prison.

Then, in 1945, after being approached by Richey, the Abilene City Council donated 300 acres of land next to Lake Kirby on the south edge of Abilene for the establishment of a boys ranch. The next year Optimists International started an Abilene charter, sponsoring the Abilene Boys Ranch. With the help of Optimists International, a charter with the State of Texas was issued and a loan was granted for $2,400 to move an excess barracks building from Camp Barkley to the Ranch site, as well as pay a couple to live with the boys. This was the first building on the Abilene Boys Ranch. In 1947 Richey and his family, along with Mrs. Richey’s brother, Edwin Yeager, moved to the ranch.

Ben Richey died in 1973 on the ranch, followed by the death of his wife in 1985. Two years later, Abilene Boys Ranch was renamed Ben Richey Boys Ranch to honor its founder.

"Fill a child's bucket of self-esteem so high that the rest of the world can't poke enough holes in it to drain it dry!" Author Unknown

About Ben Richey Boys Ranch	Admission	Donations and Fundraisers
Goals and Mission of the Ranch	Education and Activities	Other Giving Opportunities
Recycle Cars for Kids	Contact Us	Home