Sisters' ranch helps teens find their way

Coming from a troubled teenage girl, the words “I’ve learned what it’s like to be happy” speak to the success of Estrella Vista Ranch, a sprawling eight—acre haven with horses, basketball, swings, an organic garden, a menu of therapeutic activities, and a warm and nurturing environment.

Executive director Cindy Dickinson and her sister Erica Palacios, program director, had the desire, experience and power to bring their vision of a place to help girls to fruition.

“When we knew we wanted to do this, we knew we wanted to be out in nature,” Palacios said.

And out in nature they are, 60 miles east of Tucson in Dragoon.

The girls live in a comfortable residential setting and are referred by various agencies, including Child Protective Services and the Arizona Office of Courts.

Dickinson said most of the girls are Native American and no more than six live at the ranch at a time. The usual age range is 14 to 17, though they currently have a 12 year old.

Reasons resulting in the girls’ need for a three- to six-month stay include emotional and behavioral issues, dysfunctional families and substance abuse.

“This is a place for the girls to stabilize and to avoid drugs... they take online accredited classes so there will be a seamless re-entry to where they’ll be going,” Dickinson said.

Open since July 2008, none of the girls have had to return.

“They can’t ‘unknow’ what they’ve learned... emotionally and physically they feel safe,” Palacios said.

Each of the girls has individual goals. There are rewards, which includes a weekly allowance based on positive behavior, and restrictions for negative behavior.

Dickinson, a former high school principal with experience with at-risk teens, said the girls also work for collective rewards such as archery, going to the movies or hiking.

“Things are black and white here,” Dickinson said. “The girls know the consequences.”

In the year Estrella Vista Ranch has been open, only one girl had to miss an outing.

Families visit on Sundays, and the menu is approved by a dietitian.

Independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, money management and budgeting are taught to promote self-reliance and independence. Activities involved with the care and nurturing of horses and plants help develop compassion and opens one up to giving and receiving love.

When one girl got angry and broke an area of drywall she worked with Palacios’ husband, Jose, the groundskeeper, gardener and mechanical guru at Estrella Vista Ranch, to repair it.

Palacios said the teen expected a lecture or anger about what she had done. But there wasn’t any. Under Jose’s guidance she repaired the damage and learned the consequence of her negative behavior.

Upon leaving Estrella Vista Ranch the girls will likely return to the same family situation. “We give them skills inside themselves so they have some defenses when they return home,”

Dickinson said.

“We create a feeling from the inside out,” said Palacios, who has a degree in occupational therapy. “The girls experience self-gratification.”

Dickinson added, “So much magic has happened here. The girls learn they can be loved — and they can give love themselves.”

For information on the program, contact Estrella Vista Ranch at 520-878-8588 or cindy@estrellavistaranch.com.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.