Mississippi Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranch

The Mississippi Sheriff's Association has joined with Palmer Homes, the mission of the Mississippi Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranch is to prevent juvenile delinquency by providing youngsters from disruptive home situations with the opportunity to resolve their personal conflicts, prepare for productive futures, and achieve their full potential through quality residential care and other program services that provide a loving and careful balance of work, play, education, and spiritual nurture.

You may call the main number, 662-328-5704 (our administrative offices are now at Palmer Home for Children), or better yet, you can call our head of children's services directly.  His name is Michael Malone, and you can reach him at 662-386-7336.  You can also visit our website at www.palmerhome.org.  The mailing address is the Mississippi Sheriff's Boys and Girls ranch PO Box 1428 Columbus MS 39703.

 

The Mississippi Sheriffs Boys and Girls Ranch, Inc. was established by the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association in 1976 as a 501(c)(3) public charity to help prevent juvenile delinquency and to serve Mississippi's abandoned, abused, and homeless children. Under the Sheriffs’ leadership, and with the generous support of concerned citizens in  Mississippi and beyond, the Ranch developed two campuses, the Mississippi Sheriffs Boys Ranch between Columbus and Starkville in northeast Mississippi, and the Mississippi Sheriffs Girls Ranch located in Lucedale in south Mississippi.

 

The Sheriffs’ dream was to serve as many needy youngsters as their resources would allow, helping each youngster achieve his or her full potential and to prepare for a productive future. Today, that dream remains flourishing and intact through action taken by the Sheriffs at their conference in December, 2004, when they voted unanimously to join forces with Palmer Home for Children. Both the Palmer Board and the Sheriffs view the union as a great fit and as a natural step, since the Ranch and Palmer have long been close allies, sharing the same values and serving the same type of youngster. Both are also supported entirely by voluntary gifts and believe in private enterprise and initiative. As Dr. Ed Waldron, Palmer’s president notes, “There has long been a Sheriffs presence at Palmer Home. I worked for 10 years for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches prior to coming to Palmer Home in 1990, so I have firsthand knowledge and appreciation for what Sheriffs have been doing to provide solid help to youngsters in need. Everything I know about quality child care I learned at the Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch.”

 

Under the union, the Ranch will operate as a division of Palmer Home, maintaining its own identity, programs, and core values, including the continuing endorsement and support of Mississippi Sheriffs.

 

In June, 2007, the Girls Ranch in Lucedale, Mississippi, was relocated to Lowndes County where the two became one. The original Boys Ranch is now known as the Mississippi Sheriffs Boys and Girls Ranch and is located near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport between Columbus and Starkville, Mississippi. The consolidated ranch allows siblings to remain together just like they do on the Columbus and Hernando campuses of Palmer Home. As a result, brothers and sisters now have the opportunity to grow up together “ranch style”. From therapeutic horseback riding to a working farm, Ranch siblings are provided with a full array of services and opportunities, according to Jeff Miller, Executive Director of Mississippi Sheriffs Boys and Girls Ranch.

 

There are three cottages located on the ranch, and two are already in full use. Kelly Home houses older youth who are enrolled in area colleges or vocational training. Faith Home houses the girls, and Oak Ridge Home, which is undergoing renovation, is a traditional boys cottage.

 

To the Ranch’s vision and dream, Palmer will add its experienced management team to help get the job done. The first priority is to renovate aging facilities and to build upon the relationships and successes that the Sheriffs have established. Next, with the continued support of loyal Ranch and Palmer friends, both programs need to grow.

 

With your support and prayers, these plans can and will become reality. Together, we can change the future for a needy child and make a difference that lasts.

 

The Prentiss County Sheriff's Office works hand in hand with the Prentiss County Justice Court.  The Justice Court is located in the Prentiss County Justice Center including the Justice Court Offices and the Courtroom.  The Courtroom is shared with the Bonneville Municipal Court.