Today we’d like to introduce you to Bruce Jordan.
Hi Bruce, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story began at Edgewood Children’s Ranch years before I knew about Edgewood. At two years old, my parents got divorced. Alcoholism was the leading cause of the breakup. My father left and was out of the picture most of my life. A few years went by, and my mother entered into a new relationship with an abusive man who used to beat my mom, my sister, and myself. At one point, this man beat me and placed me in a dark closet for what seemed like hours. I fell asleep on the floor. Due to the abuse, we fled to an abuse shelter for women. At around six years old, I became highly aggressive toward my mom and my sister. Due to this, my mom sent me to live with my grandmother. While living with my grandmother, I met a group of older kids who exposed me to pornography, alcohol, cigarettes, and more—my friends and I began damaging property and breaking into vacant homes. At eight years old, due to running the streets at night, I started sleeping and losing focus in class. This ultimately led to me failing second grade. At this point, I had no self-worth or value. I didn’t care anymore. By age ten, the at-risk behavior continued until I found myself at a breaking point. Because of the trouble I was in, I ended up in a juvenile facility for several days. At that time, my mother found Edgewood Children’s Ranch. I was in the program at Edgewood for two and a half years. At the Ranch, I could change the direction my life was going. I was able to catch up in school, which gave me confidence. My relationship with my family was improved. As a Christian Children’s Home, Edgewood introduced me to the Gospel, and at 11 years old, I began my walk with Jesus. The Ranch offered me hope and a second chance. As an adult, I am blessed with the opportunity to lead Edgewood Children’s Ranch into the future as the current Executive Director.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My role as Executive Director at Edgewood endured a year of chaos. At the end of January 2020, the Executive Director (Stuart Eldridge) passed away unexpectedly. Due to the nature of the situation, there was no transition plan at the time. I was asked to come in as the Interim Director and began my role in February 2020. In March 2020, the COVID pandemic hit the United States, and the entire world changed. Edgewood had to change with it. For the next several years, we struggled to navigate new health standards, staffing challenges, and financial ups and downs. God has been good and provided for us through these challenging times. As an organization, we have made many changes to offer high-quality care for the children in our program. We have adapted to the challenges while maintaining our core values and programs. As the saying goes, “Hard times make strong men (or women),” and I believe strong men/women make strong organizations.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Edgewood Children’s Ranch provides a safe environment for children and their families to improve their behaviors and lives. Our residential program, known as “cottage life,” allows children to live in a family-style unit and focuses on developing responsibility, accountability, self-control, and faithfulness. Children attend Edgewood Ranch Academy on weekdays, our on-site private Christian school. Despite many students starting below grade level, our personalized approach helps build confidence and accountability to progress. Children come to us voluntarily and must agree to follow specific guidelines and fully participate in our program. Most children stay for two years, and we can accommodate up to 40 children at a time.
Since 1966, Edgewood Children’s Ranch has aimed to offer hope to at-risk children and their families. Our mission began when Orange County Juvenile Court Judge D. Arthur Yergey sought an alternative to juvenile detention for young boys with disruptive behaviors. His vision aligned with the passion of John W. “Jack” Lynd, who wanted to establish a faith-based home and school for troubled children to heal and change their lives.
Our program started in a small house with two boys and a lot of faith and prayer. Dr. Jack Lynd and the boys prayed for their first meal because there was none at the time, and their needs were provided for. Since then, we have continued to rely on faith and prayer for our needs, and people’s support has enabled us to grow from helping two boys in a small house to being able to support up to 40 children (boys and girls) and their families, offering hope for a better future.
What makes you happy?
As the leader of Edgewood, spending time with our Ranchers makes me happy. I talked with them about their challenges and saw them find hope through our program. Seeing my children grow and serve others makes me happy as a husband and father. It is incredible to think of where my life came from and see the chains of hopelessness and despair broken in my children’s success and happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://edgewoodranch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edgewoodranch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edgewoodchildrensranch/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edgewoodranch/
- Twitter: https://x.com/edgewoodranch
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcMDNZa7opMHM7w5DG0aH7A
- Other: https://vimeo.com/870326009?share=copy
