BRAZIL, Ind. — Hoosier children that have been victims of crime, and kids that want to be law enforcement officers when they grow up, now have a place to come together, thanks to the purchase of a 62-acre property in western Indiana.
Through private donations, Indiana sheriffs and deputies bought the property in Brazil, Ind. to create the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch.
Former Marion County Sheriff John Layton, who now serves as board president for the ranch, says the goal is to give at-risk kids a chance to enjoy summer activities.
“Kids that would never have a chance to have a fishing pole in their hand or walk a trail in the wilderness,” Layton says. “It’s those kids that we want to send in the right direction instead of them making the wrong decisions.”
Layton says they will also have a camp for kids that have an interest in being a future law enforcement officer.
The cabins that the kids will stay in will be coming from the Indiana Department of Correction.
“That way, it will be inmates from the facilities in Indiana who actually build the cabins,” says Layton.
He adds that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security will lease the K-9 facility at the ranch, and that money will help pay their mortgage.
The Youth Ranch will start hosting Indiana teens this summer.
(Photo by Andris Barbans/Thinkstock)
