James A. Loy, Executive Director of Renewal Ranch in Conway, and Tom Nelson, community bank president at BancorpSouth Bank in Conway, recently announced details of a $750,000 grant awarded to Renewal Ranch.
Renewal Ranch is a faith-based residential addiction recovery program for men ages 21 and older, located on 116 acres near Conway.
“Founded on the belief that addiction is a spiritually rooted issue, Renewal Ranch is on the front line of a battle against the addiction crisis that is gripping our nation,” said James A. Loy.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas provided the Affordable Housing Program grant for funding support for Renewal Ranch to build a 42-unit residential facility for men ages 21 and older who are recovering from drug addiction.
Representatives gathered at a check presentation to celebrate the $750,000 grant award and the 11th anniversary of success at Renewal Ranch. Also participating in the check presentation were Elizabeth Jewell, senior affordable housing analyst with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, and David House, Renewal Ranch board of directors chair.
“We have seen countless lives changed through the Renewal Ranch ministry,” said Mr. Loy. “A remarkable number of men are rescued from the bonds of addiction while at Renewal Ranch. Over 60 percent of the men accepted into our 12-month program successfully graduate after approximately one year.”
Joshua Kear, patrol officer for the Conway Police Department and a member of the SWAT Team, shared his story about the Renewal Ranch program. More than 600 men have participated in the program during the last ten years.
Loy explained that Renewal Ranch residents participate in three distinct phases of the Renewal Ranch program, and that the $750,000 grant will provide funds to support plans to build a new 42-unit residential facility for men in Phase 2 of the program. The 12-month program includes counseling, 600 hours of classroom instruction, Bible study, work opportunities, and community service, he said.
“We truly appreciate the tremendous support from BancorpSouth Bank in Conway and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas,” said House. “All of the men in the new 42-unit residential facility will be working in jobs in the Conway area while participating in Phase 2 prior to graduation.”
Photo courtesy of Renewal Ranch; Pictured L to R: Nelson, Loy, and Jewell
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